Finn Allen
185 runs, SR 134, 12 sixes in the last 10. Rated +6.3 runs a game with the bat.
185 runs at a strike rate of 134 in his last 10 T20 matches, and rated 6.3 runs better than an average opener.
The sides
| Measure | Knight Riders | Giants |
|---|---|---|
| XI caps | 2,301T20s between the XI | 2,425T20s between the XI |
| Top-seven average | 24.8T20 batting | 31.8T20 batting |
When Knight Riders bat
+0.78 an overPowerplayOvers 1–6+0.91MiddleOvers 7–15+1.00DeathOvers 16–20+0.22
When Giants bat
−0.05 an overPowerplayOvers 1–6+0.11MiddleOvers 7–15−0.23DeathOvers 16–20+0.08
Knight Riders bat first
First innings180
Giants chase in17.5 overs
63%Giants win
37%Knight Riders win
Giants bat first
First innings164
Knight Riders chase in17 overs
53%Knight Riders win
47%Giants win
Gulf Giants favoured despite Abu Dhabi's paper edge
Gulf Giants are favoured, with a 55% win chance, even though Abu Dhabi Knight Riders are stronger on paper by about 21 runs. That edge is all in the bowling: Abu Dhabi's attack is rated 25.8 runs better than Gulf Giants', while Gulf Giants' batting is rated 4.9 runs better. Abu Dhabi's projected first-innings score of 180 is the higher of the two, but the model still leans to Gulf Giants.
The most telling point is Gulf Giants' batting against spin. Their top seven average 28 against left-arm finger spin since 2023, a third below their 42 against all bowling, where Full Member top sevens drop by a tenth. Abu Dhabi have Sunil Narine, a right-arm off-spinner, and Usman Tariq, a left-arm wrist-spinner, in our XI, so the matchup is not exact, but the principle stands: Gulf Giants' batting is vulnerable to spin.
What total is safe?
First inningsDefended
Under 15028%42 of 151
150–16948%44 of 92
170–18962%38 of 61
190–20990%18 of 20
210+100%5 of 5
The case for Knight Riders
- Bowling is rated 25.8 runs better than Gulf Giants', with Sunil Narine and Usman Tariq both rated over 7 runs better than average.
- Projected first-innings score of 180 is the higher of the two, and the batting unit is rated 13.7 runs better than average.
Batting standout
Bowling standouts
Sunil Narine
12 wkts, econ 4.87 in the last 10. Rated +8.4 runs a game with the ball.
12 wickets at an economy of 4.87 in his last 10 T20 matches, and rated 8.4 runs better than an average bowler over four overs.
Usman Tariq
10 wkts, econ 6.05 in the last 10. Rated +7.7 runs a game with the ball.
10 wickets at an economy of 6.05 in his last 10 T20 matches, and rated 7.7 runs better than an average bowler over four overs.
The case for Giants
- Batting is rated 4.9 runs better than Abu Dhabi's, with Jos Buttler, Heinrich Klaasen and Liam Livingstone all rated above average.
- Recent form: Buttler has 400 runs at a strike rate of 178.6 in his last 10 T20 matches, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz has 361 runs at 188.
Batting standout
Jos Buttler
400 runs, SR 179, 25 sixes in the last 10. Rated +4.3 runs a game with the bat.
400 runs at a strike rate of 178.6 in his last 10 T20 matches, and rated 4.3 runs better than an average opener.
Bowling weaknesses
Shamar Joseph
6 wkts, econ 11.85 in the last 10. Rated −1.9 runs a game with the ball.
6 wickets at an economy of 11.85 in his last 10 T20 matches, and rated 1.9 runs worse than an average bowler over four overs.
Matiullah Khan
11 wkts, econ 8.86 in the last 10. Rated −1.7 runs a game with the ball.
11 wickets at an economy of 8.86 in his last 10 T20 matches, and rated 1.7 runs worse than an average bowler over two overs.