The International League T20 (ILT20) is here again, but it is bigger, earlier, and has a new competitive advantage. The fourth installment of the flagship franchise cricket tournament in the UAE commences this week and continues to attract a compilation of stellar teams, shifting captaincy, and a refreshing emphasis on talent in the Gulf. The tournament will start on December 2 in Dubai.
A Grand Opening with a Familiar Rivalry
Last season’s finalists—Dubai Capitals vs. Desert Vipers—will play the first game at the Dubai International Stadium. The match brought back memories of that thrilling final, in which Rovman Powell and Sikandar Raza led the Capitals to a last-over victory to clinch their first title. Most matches start at 6:30 PM local time, and on double-header days, afternoon matches will begin at 2 PM.
New Dates to Fit a Busy Global Calendar
The ILT20 has shifted earlier this year—from December 2 to January 4—ensuring minimum overlap with:
- BBL (from December 14)
- SA20 (from December 26)
This gives more star players the chance to participate for the full season. The tournament will feature 34 matches, including
- 30 league games
- Qualifier 1: December 30 in Abu Dhabi
- Eliminator: January 1 in Dubai
- Qualifier 2: January 2 in Sharjah
- Final: January 4
Six Teams, Fresh Leadership
The same six franchises return—but several with fresh captains at the helm:
| Team | 2025 Captain | Previous Captain |
| MI Emirates | Kieron Pollard | Nicholas Pooran |
| Dubai Capitals | Dasun Shanaka | Sam Billings |
| Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Jason Holder | Sunil Narine |
| Desert Vipers | Lockie Ferguson | (continues) |
| Gulf Giants | James Vince | (continues) |
| Sharjah Warriorz | Tim Southee | (continues) |
Ferguson’s comeback run will be closely watched as the New Zealand quick eyes a return for the T20 World Cup 2026.
Big Talent, Bigger Storylines
The first ILT20 player auction in October created serious buzz:
- Andre Fletcher broke records with a USD 260,000 retention by MI Emirates
- UAE power-hitter Muhammad Waseem—second only to Rohit Sharma in T20I sixes—stays with MIE
- UAE pacer Junaid Siddique joins Warriorz after a bidding war
- Jordan Cox, fresh off a blazing run at The Hundred, heads to Dubai Capitals
Meanwhile, Pathirana, released by CSK, joins Sharjah Warriorz—a huge boost to their death-overs firepower.
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Indian Names Join the ILT20 Spotlight
While star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin surprisingly went unsold, fans will still see Indian representation:
- Dinesh Karthik → Sharjah Warriorz
- Unmukt Chand → Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
- Piyush Chawla → Knight Riders (Wildcard pick)
A Gulf Cricket Development Mission
ILT20 is not merely a franchise show—it is also rapidly emerging as an open-air platform of broader cricket development. New cricket board cooperation in the Gulf region has helped Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to sign six development players each. And with a lot of controversy, Pakistani stars Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, and Hasan Nawaz have now been permitted by the PCB to play in the league, which is a significant boost to the league’s ratings and competitiveness.
A Bigger Role in the Global Franchise Ecosystem
With an improved schedule, big-name signings, and strong regional investment, ILT20 Season 4 is shaping up to be the UAE’s biggest cricket product yet—striking a balance between global glamour and grassroots growth. When the first ball is bowled on December 2, one thing will be clear: the Gulf is no longer just hosting cricket—it’s creating it.