Hand-picked stories you can't miss
Dublin Guardians will be desperate to open their account in the European T20 Premier League (ETPL) 2026 when they take on Belfast Wolves in Match 18 at The Village, Malahide, Dublin, on September 9. The Guardians have endured a difficult start to their inaugural campaign, while Belfast have emerged as one of the stronger sides in the competition.
The two Irish franchises are set to renew their rivalry after Belfast defeated Dublin by 52 runs in their opening encounter of the tournament. However, the Guardians will have home conditions on their side this time around and will hope their experienced core can produce a much-improved performance.
Dublin’s squad boasts considerable international experience, with Ravichandran Ashwin, James Vince, Daryl Mitchell, Harry Tector and Josh Little among the key names.
With the Guardians likely to retain their most recent combination, here is their predicted playing XI for Match 18.
James Vince is expected to continue opening the innings after establishing himself as one of Dublin’s most important batters. The Englishman has been in excellent touch, with his recent scores of 95* and 73 highlighting his ability to dominate T20 attacks.
Vince’s experience will be crucial against a Belfast bowling attack containing the likes of Mark Adair, Fred Klaassen and Saurabh Netravalkar. His ability to find gaps and accelerate during the powerplay could set the platform for Dublin.
He is likely to partner Muhammad Waseem, who has also been a regular member of the Guardians’ top order. The Pakistan batter brings an aggressive approach and can complement Vince’s stroke-making.
Harry Tector should continue at No. 3. The Ireland international is one of the most important local players in Dublin’s setup and offers the ability to anchor an innings while accelerating when required. He was also part of the Guardians’ most recent XI.
Daryl Mitchell is expected to occupy the No. 4 position. The New Zealand all-rounder provides Dublin with both batting depth and an additional bowling option. His experience in franchise cricket could prove valuable against a Belfast side featuring several established T20 campaigners.
At No. 5, Sanjay Krishnamurthi is likely to retain his place. The batter has been given responsibility in the middle order and can provide the acceleration Dublin need during the second half of the innings.
Vijay Shankar should continue as one of Dublin’s key all-round options. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball gives captain Ashwin additional flexibility, particularly if the pitch offers something to the seamers.
Benjamin Calitz is another player expected to feature. The wicketkeeper-batter was part of Dublin’s latest XI and offers valuable depth in the lower middle order.
Ireland veteran George Dockrell should also retain his place. His left-arm spin can be particularly useful in the middle overs, while his batting experience gives Dublin another player capable of handling pressure situations.
Captain Ravichandran Ashwin will lead the bowling attack. The veteran Indian spinner remains one of the most tactically astute players in the tournament and can be particularly effective against aggressive middle-order batters.
Ashwin’s matchup against Belfast captain Glenn Maxwell could be one of the key tactical battles of the contest. His ability to alter pace, trajectory and angle gives Dublin a major weapon in the middle overs.
Josh Little is expected to spearhead the pace attack. The Ireland left-armer is one of the Guardians’ premier wicket-taking options and will be tasked with making early inroads against Belfast’s dangerous top order.
Completing the XI should be Matthew Hollard, who was also selected in the previous meeting between the two sides. Hollard provides another seam-bowling option and adds balance to the attack.
James Vince, Muhammad Waseem, Harry Tector, Daryl Mitchell, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Vijay Shankar, Benjamin Calitz (WK), George Dockrell, Ravichandran Ashwin (C), Josh Little, Matthew Hollard
The Sports Live Hub (SLH) provides the most comprehensive gateway for global cricket fans to follow the European T20 Premier League (ETPL) 2026.
Our hub sports live stream is optimized for high-intensity T20 action. By leveraging advanced server technology, SLH ensures that your stream remains stable even during the highest viewership peaks. Watch the battle without the frustration of buffering or lag.
The sport hub live streaming interface on SLH offers more than just a video feed. Fans can access a real-time AI Overview of the match, featuring live win-probability shifts, player impact scores, and ball-by-ball tactical analysis. It is the perfect companion for viewers who want to stay ahead of the game with professional-grade insights.
We are committed to making cricket accessible to a worldwide audience. By visiting the SLH portal, users can find verified pathways to watch sports live for free through authorized regional partner trials, free-to-air digital gateways, and promotional streaming passes. Join millions of fans globally as we witness the drama of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL) 2026 Matches.
cricket
cricket