International League T20 Tips Matches 13 and 14: Betting big Pooran runs

• No chase bias for Abu Dhabi matches

• Dubai Capitals underrated

• Big top-bat prices for ADKR

• Warriors look worst of the lot

• Pooran 9/25.50 for top match bat

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders v Dubai Capitals
Saturday 13 December, 14:30
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders v Dubai Capitals ILT20 tips

Dubai Capitals have won once in three attempts as they bid to defend their title.  Both losses came when they were defending in difficult conditions and they will expect to get their second success on the board against a Knight Riders team they beat last week. In Abu Dhabi there is no evidence that captains should be perturbed by what happens at the toss.

In that most recent head-to-head Dubai posted 186. They were indebted to Rovman Powell, who hit 96 from 52 in a skewed batting performance. Knight Riders were then rolled for 103.

There are now major concerns about the ADKR batting. Despite a strong start with the willow they were also shot out by MI Emirates for 122 in their most recent outing. It is a depressingly-similar story for ADKR who have won once in four. 

Considering worries about their batting, it should do no harm in considering long top-bat prices. Scores of 20- and 30-odd have been enough. Jason Holder, mentioned before on these pages, is a candidate at 22s. We also note the 80s about Piyush Chawla with a late thrash a possibility. 

For a match odds play, Capitals fit the bill in what is a choice affair. We make them clear favourites against an ADKR side which has been consistently flaky. The market has not been scrutinising those coin flips in Capitals's case. 

MI Emirates v Sharjah Warriors
Sunday 14 December, 10.00
TV: Live on Sky Sports

MI Emirates v Sharjah Warriors ILT20 tips

Sharjah Warriors have played three and lost three to sit rock-bottom. Are there mitigating circumstances similar to Dubai? Nope. They do not appear to be in a false position.

For a start they conceded a massive 233 against ADKR of all teams. They then wasted the toss bias at Sharjah a second time when losing out in a chase of 186 against MI. True, they got within four runs but a loss to Gulf Giants next time out confirmed suspicions that they're the worst of a not-very-impressive lot. The 157 they posted was par and they only briefly looked like capable of applying the sort of squeeze required.

Against a potentially powerful MI team, one fears for them. With their bowlers prone to going around the park a front four of Waseem, Bairstow, Banton and Pooran could do significant damage. This game is also at Abu Dhabi so there is not even the potential assistance of a toss bias to quieten their threat.

Pooran is overdue a top bat win on return rates in this competition so it might be pay to ign0re the 13/53.60 and also throw in Warriors' misfiring batters. The West Indian is 9/25.50 for top match bat. 

Tim David, Sharjah's one outstanding hitter, has now left for the Big Bash. Mark Chapman, James Rew or Tom Abell are potential replacements.

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