Northern Warriors vs Pune Devils Predictions: Abu Dhabi T10 League 21st Match Preview

While the Northern Warriors have set an example of how to make a comeback into a tournament by winning 3 on the trot since losing their first match, the Pune Devils have pretty much done the opposite by losing four in a row after winning their first. Although the Warriors’ last two wins were achieved by the skin of their teeth, the Devils’ last performance will make their fans want to pull out their teeth. Nevertheless, tomorrow’s a new day, and that’s when these two meet each other under brand new circumstances that will have the same old unpredictable, crazy format. While the Warriors need this win to get to first place, the Devils need it to keep their semi final dreams alive, as losing this will effectively eliminate them from contention. Before the madness begins, let’s take a look at the two teams.

Northern Warriors

Predicted XI

Nicholas Pooran (c/wk), Fabian Allen, Rayad Emrit, Brandon King, Maheesh Theekshana, Rovman Powell, Waseem Muhammad, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Siddique, Lendl Simmons, Wayne Parnell.

Preview and form

If you’re a fan of Hollywood movies that show bombs being defused or missile launches being aborted at the last possible second, you should support the Warriors. After winning a match off of the last ball, they settled their very next match with a difference of a mere 3 runs. Batting first against the Deccan Gladiators, the Warriors managed to put up a solid 143 on the board courtesy of Rovman Powell’s 51 combined with decent 20-something cameos from Waseem Muhammad, Nicholas Pooran, and Fabian Allen, plus a whopping 15 extras including 11 wides. When it came time to defend, Fabian Allen and Junaid Siddique both picked up two wickets while conceding only 8 per over, with the former doing so in just one over as opposed to the latter’s two. This, combined with Wahab Riaz’s 15 for 1, helped the Warriors counteract Dhananjaya Lakshan’s 31-run over, and helped them win by a narrow 3 runs.

Key players

Nicholas Pooran: After having a bit of a mellow game by his standards, Pooran will be itching to blast away.

Waseem Muhammad: The Emirati’s explosive cameo did not go unnoticed, and we expect to see more of him.

Wahab Riaz: As we suspected, Wahab Riaz would come into his own and start being his old self.

Junaid Siddique: Another Emirati with plenty of talent, Junaid will be looking to pick up more wickets after tasting blood in his last match.

Pune Devils

Predicted XI

Nasir Hossain (c), Ahmed Raza, Mohammad Amir, Munis Ansari, Chadwick Walton (wk), Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Karan KC, Kennar Lewis, Devon Thomas, Alex Davies, Hardus Viljoen.

Preview and form

Few things deflate a team more than being in the news for the wrong reasons, and the Devils’ last performance will definitely garner them some media criticism. Facing the admittedly strong Delhi Bulls, the Devils looked like they weren’t even trying. Batting first, the only real attempt to play a proper T10 innings came from Kennar Lewis, who made 15 from 7 before getting out. The only other players to reach double figures were Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Devon Thomas, and it was through these meager contributions that the Devils limped to an utterly deplorable 57. Munis Ansari and Mohammad Amir both struck once each, but their score was overrun at the loss of only 2 wickets in just 4.4 overs, making it quite possibly the shortest chase in T10 history. 

Key players

Tom Kohler-Cadmore: After last match’s disaster, Kohler-Cadmore will be keen on making amends.

Chadwick Walton: Like his teammates, Walton should be itching to get back on the field to redeem himself.

Munis Ansari: You just can’t stop Munis Ansari from taking wickets, and he’ll be an  asset for the Devils in this do or die game.

Mohammad Amir: The Pakistani veteran is equal parts smooth operator and tricky customer, and he will be an integral part of the Devils’ attack.

Northern Warriors vs Pune Devils weather conditions and pitch report

With night falling, the temperature will fall somewhat, but not enough for dew point to be reached. The temperature will be pleasant, and it should be a great time for cricket overall.

The pitch, as we have said time and again, is hardly relevant in this format, but for what it’s worth, it’s pretty evenly balanced for all aspects of cricket.

Can the Warriors fight their way into the semis relatively early? Or will the Devils climb back up and give themselves a fighting chance? Find out if our Northern Warriors versus Pune Devils predictions come true on Wednesday!