The International League T20 2025-26 (ILT20), Match No. 3, will be played between Gulf Giants (GG) and MI Emirates (MIE) on Thursday, December 4, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Both of them have impressive-looking squads and will be keen to get off to a winning start in the competition.

Gulf Giants were the champions of the inaugural season of the ILT20, and their performance has seen a slump in the last two editions. The team finished third in 2023-24, then slumped to fifth position in 2024-25. This year, they will aim for a big comeback. With James Vince as captain and experienced players like Moeen Ali, Azmatullah Omarzai, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the Giants will look to start the new season in a positive way.

MI Emirates, who won the 2023-24 championship, have otherwise had mixed results in the league. Led by Kieron Pollard, the team is filled with match-winners such as Nicholas Pooran, Jonny Bairstow, Shakib Al Hasan, and Fazalhaq Farooqi. With such a strong lineup, MIE will be confident of starting their season with a victory.

GG vs MIE: Head-to-Head Record

• Total Matches Played: 5
  
• Gulf Giants Wins: 2
  
• MI Emirates Wins: 3
  
• No Result: 0

GG vs MIE: Pitch Report

The Dubai International Cricket Stadium's surface provides generous help for bowlers, particularly during the early stages of the match. There, batters need to be very cautious and not play any risky shots, as movement off the surface may create problems. The average score at this venue is approximately 140, which often proves to be competitive. Teams that bat sensibly, build partnerships, and accelerate later in the innings usually succeed here.

See Also: ILT20 2025: GG vs MIE Dream11 Prediction 03rd Match Fantasy Cricket Tips, Probable Playing XI

GG vs MIE: Predicted Playing XIs

Gulf Giants (GG):

Asif Khan, James Vince (C), Pathum Nissanka, Matthew Forde, Nuwan Thushara, Tabraiz Shamsi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kyle Mayers, Moeen Ali, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ishtiaq Ahmad.

MI Emirates (MIE):

Muhammad Waseem, Ackeem Auguste, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Kieron Pollard (C), Shakib Al Hasan, Romario Shepherd, Jonny Bairstow (WK), Nicholas Pooran, Zain Ul Abidin.

GG vs MIE Match Preview

GG vs MIE Match Details

Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates – 03rd Match, International League T20 2025

Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

Date & Time: 04th December 2025 at 08:00 PM IST 

Live Streaming: FanCode

GG vs MIE Venue Stats 

GG vs MIE Pitch Report

Fast bowlers may find some seam and lift early on at Dubai International Cricket Stadium as the ball is firm. After the opening phase, batting becomes simpler because the wicket is pretty straight. Spin bowlers can find some turn around the midway mark after using both the ball and the pitch. 

GG vs MIE Weather Report

The climate is expected to remain clear during the match, with warm and pleasant conditions. 

GG vs MIE Last Five Matches

GG vs MIE Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

Also Read: DEL vs KAR Dream11 Prediction Playing XI: Match 74, SMAT Elite T20

GG vs MIE Probable Playing XIs:

Gulf Giants Probable Playing XIs

James Vince (c), Pathum Nissanka, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Moeen Ali, Aayan Khan, Liam Dawson, Blessing Muzarabani, Mark Adair/Nuwan Thushara, Kyle Mayers, Gerhard Erasmus

MI Emirates Probable Playing XIs

Muhammad Waseem, Tom Banton, Kieron Pollard (c), Jonny Bairstow, Andre Fletcher, Romario Shepherd, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Fazalhaq Farooqi, Muhammad Rohid, Naveen-ul-Haq, AM Ghazanfar

Topmost Picks for GG vs MIE Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – MI Emirates

• Tom Banton – Tom Banton remains at the centre of their batting plans. He was the tournament's second-highest run scorer in the previous edition, with 493 runs from 11 innings and a strike rate of 152.
• Fazalhaq Farooqi – Fazalhaq Farooqi heads the unit, having topped their wicket records last year with 21 wickets in 11 games.

Top Picks – Gulf Giants

• James Vince – James Vince is anticipated to anchor the batting again, having scored 260 runs in 10 games the previous season with a strike rate of 138.
• Blessing Muzarabani – Blessing Muzarabani will be important to the bowling plans again, having finished the previous season with 16 wickets in 10 games.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for GG vs MIE Dream11 Team:

Nicholas Pooran(C), Jonny Bairstow, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Andre Fletcher, James Vince, Romario Shepherd, Azmatullah Omarzai(VC), Muhammad Rohid, Blessing Muzarabani, Naveen-ul-Haq, Tabraiz Shamsi

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Nicholas Pooran, James Vince

Vice-captain – Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Wicketkeeper – Nicholas Pooran

GG vs MIE Probable Winners:

Both the Gulf Giants and the MI Emirates have strong squads entering the season and will be looking to get off to a winning start. MI Emirates have the advantage with a batting order that appears to be quite potent, but the Giants have a well-rounded club that will assault from the start. Either team might win this, but we're going with the Emirates by the smallest of margins, 51-49, owing to their stronger batting. Considering the team combination, MI Emirates is expected to win this match.

GG vs MIE FAQ

Both sides come into the game after contrasting fortunes in their previous encounters. Gulf Giants managed to ease past the Sharjah Warriors in their openers while the Emirates were beaten comprehensively when they opened their tournament against the Delhi Capitals.

GG vs MIE Match Details

Date: January 21st, 2024

Time:  8:00 PM IST

Venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

GG vs MIE Weather Report

The weather looks pretty clear for the upcoming fixture.

GG vs MIE Pitch Report

Abu Dhabi like the other grounds in the UAE is better for sides batting second with dew playing a part later in the evening.

GG vs MIE Predicted Playing XI

GG Playing XI

Jamie Smith, James Vince, Jordan Cox, Shimron Hetmyer, Karim Janet, Usman Khan, Jamie Overton, Chris Jordan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Aayan Afzal Khan, Dominic Drakes

MIE Playing XI

Muhammed Waseem, Will Smeed, Andre Fletcher, Ambati Rayudu, Nicholas Pooran, Tim David, Corey Anderson, Dwayne Bravo, Akeal Hossein, Trent Boult, Zahoor Khan

See Also: AB de Villiers backs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to play in T20 World Cup 2024 – Cricket Winner

GG vs MIE Key Players

Trent Boult

Trent Boult was pretty good with the new ball in the first game. The ball tends to stop moving very early in the UAE limiting his impact time up front but Trent Boult continues to find a way to manage first over breakthroughs.

Shimron Hetmyer

Dropped from his national side, Shimron Hetmyer‘s consistency grows as a concern. On his day he can be a big match-winner but such days are slowly becoming rare.

GG vs MIE Match Tips

The Gulf Giants look like the side with better depth and could start favorites with some in-form players.

Match Prediction: Gulf Giants Will Win the Match