While the nation celebrates Eid Al Etihad, the spirit of UAE National Day on Tuesday, the cricketing family will meet to bring a new chapter of DP World ILT20 in glamorous style at Dubai International Stadium.
(Image credit: Emirates Cricket) ‘I’m hoping that I can score runs and we get off to a winning start’ The fourth edition of the UAE’s IPL-style T20 league, featuring six teams, will open its doors again on Tuesday when defending champions Dubai Capitals face-off against last year’s finalists Desert Vipers (6.30pm).
It will be followed by a clash between Zalmi and the Gladiators after an intriguing opening ceremony featuring Pakistani heartthrob Ali Zafar.
But it will be the action on the cricket field that everyone will be looking out for as a host of cricket stars return to these shores for the tournament, which held its first player auction recently.
Huge platform
Afghanistan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib returns for the reigning champions Dubai Capitals, and will be looking to play a big role again.
“It’s good to be here. We always love this tournament. Last year we won, but it’s a new season and we’re looking to do well again,” Naib said, whose fixed 381 runs in 12 matches last season.
“It’s a massive platform for everybody. We have some new faces and they are very eager to do something for the team.”
New Zealand’s premier pace bowler Lockie Ferguson hopes to put behind last year’s final heartbreak when he captains Desert Vipers in the fourth edition.
“We played excellent cricket in the whole season of the last year and this time around we are aiming to do even better. I’m also excited to be working with Naseem Shah, David Payne and Khuzaima Tanveer so we should have a good bowling combination.”
The 34-match league will be followed by the final on January 4 and the top four teams in the league stage will make it to the playoff stages.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders captain Jason Holder is looking to bounce back after finishing bottom last year.
“We all want to win. It comes easy to us – we just have to be disciplined and do it. It’s a long tournament so we’ll take each game as it comes,” the West Indies star said.
“It helps to have guys who know each other. We’re going to have a lot of power and depth in our line-up so for us it is about finding out how we can make it work together.”
Exciting place
England regular Moeen Ali is the marquee player for Gulf Giants, winners of the first season in 2023. Kieron Pollard has replaced Nicholas Pooran as captain of the MI Emirates side.
“It’s always exciting in the UAE, with good facilities to play cricket and that really does motivate us more. We’re hoping things go our way,” Pollard said.
It is the first year that the tournament has players from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
“We have already seen the UAE move on leaps and bounds with their cricket (following the introduction of ILT20 in 2023), and I expect to see players from Kuwait or Saudi Arabia doing exactly that,” Sharjah Warriorz captain Tim Southee.
India’s Dinesh Karthik is set to be another ILT20 newcomer later this year.
“Experience of Dinesh Karthik is going to be a great though for the squad,” added Southee on his new team Sharjah Warriorz.
What you need to know?
DP World ILT20
When: December 2 to January 4, 2026
Where: Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah
Matches: 34
Teams: 6
Dubai Capitals
Desert Vipers
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
MI Emirates
Gulf Giants
Sharjah Warriorz
Past winners:
2023: Gulf Giants
2024 MI Emirates
2025 Dubai Capitals