Preview

Loser goes home in must-win clash for both sides, who have met only once before in a competitive fixture

Oman, Bangladesh and Scotland are bunched so closely together on NRR that nothing is certain till all the games get over

Inexperienced PNG will look to capitalise on Bangladesh's lack of run-scoring in the powerplay and at the death

Tricky challenge awaits the 2014 T20 World Cup champions against a side high on confidence

Namibia might stick with the XI that lost to Sri Lanka but Netherlands could bring in Stephan Myburgh and Timm van der Gugten

PNG, meanwhile, are a loss away from an early exit, less than 48 hours after their maiden T20 World Cup outing against Oman

Having failed to finish Scotland off after reducing them to 53 for 6, the Group B favourites must bring their A game against the hosts

Paul Stirling's stellar form though, will be a sharp arrow in Ireland's quiver

Namibia have won 18 of their 22 T20Is, while Sri Lanka have enjoyed a stellar warm-up run ahead of their opener

Scotland won their two warm-ups, Bangladesh have series win over New Zealand and Australia to their credit in the near past

While PNG lost both their tournament warm-ups, the hosts had a decent build-up to their first game

KKR come on the back of four wins in a row whereas CSK know very well how to put together all the pieces of their jigsaw blindfolded

Capitals wait on Stoinis availability; Knight Riders may prefer Shakib over Russell again in knockout

Both teams have shown plenty of spark in the UAE, despite their captains misfiring with the bat

Despite losing to Capitals twice in the league stages, Super Kings remain a dangerous side

With Knight Riders zooming up the NRR chart, the defending champions have been left with almost no chance of making the playoffs

Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, are assured of a top-two spot but are sweating on the fitness of Marcus Stoinis

KL Rahul and his men will be hoping their competition loses big as well

Rajasthan Royals, however, could rain down on their parade in Thursday's clash in Sharjah

For Sunrisers, there is little more than pride at stake as the team has already been eliminated