Get ready for the International League T20 (ILT20) 2025-26, back for its fourth season from December 2, 2025. The UAE’s three famous cricket grounds – Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah—will host the event, where six teams will play 34 matches, with the final on January 4, 2026.
The ILT20 has become a popular T20 league, known for its tough competition, international stars and exciting games. Season 4 is going to be even better.
Tournament and Important Dates
The league will follow a double round-robin format, where each of the six teams will play each other twice. The top four teams will go to the playoffs, which includes Qualifier 1, Eliminator and Qualifier 2 before the final in Dubai.
- Starts: December 2, 2025
- Venues: Dubai International Stadium, Zayed Cricket Stadium (Abu Dhabi), Sharjah Cricket Stadium
- Final: January 4, 2026, in Dubai
- Total Matches: 34
ILT20 2025-26 Retained Players
Before the season, all six teams announced their list of returning players in July 2025. The lists have a good mix of international stars and up and coming players from associate nations and the UAE.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
- Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Charith Asalanka, Alishan Sharafu
Desert Vipers
- ILT20 ILT20 , Alex Hales, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sam Curran, Max Holden, Sherfane Rutherford
Dubai Capitals
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rovman Powell, Sam Billings, Sediqullah Atal, Waqar Salamkheil
Gulf Giants
- James Vince, Gerhard Erasmus, Mark Adair, Chris Jordan, Moeen Ali, Blessing Muzarabani
MI Emirates
- Kusal Perera, Muhammad Waseem, Romario Shepherd, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Tim David, Tom Banton
Sharjah Warriors
- Johnson Charles, Sikandar Raza, Maheesh Theekshana, Kusal Mendis, Saurabh Netravalkar, Azmatullah Omarzai
These will be good teams with a mix of big hitters, spinners and fast bowlers.
ILT20 2025-26 Schedule
| Game | Date | Teams | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dec 2 | Dubai Capitals vs Desert Vipers | 6:30 PM | Dubai |
| 2 | Dec 3 | Sharjah Warriorz vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 6:30 PM | Sharjah |
| 3 | Dec 4 | Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates | 6:30 PM | Dubai |
| 4 | Dec 5 | Desert Vipers vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 6:30 PM | Sharjah |
| 5 | Dec 6 | Dubai Capitals vs Gulf Giants | 6:30 PM | Dubai |
| 6 | Dec 7 | Sharjah Warriorz vs MI Emirates | 2:00 PM | Sharjah |
| 7 | Dec 7 | Dubai Capitals vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 6:30 PM | Dubai |
| 8 | Dec 8 | Desert Vipers vs Gulf Giants | 6:30 PM | Dubai |
| 9 | Dec 9 | MI Emirates vs Desert Vipers | 6:30 PM | Abu Dhabi |
| 10 | Dec 10 | Gulf Giants vs Sharjah Warriorz | 6:30 PM | Dubai |
| 11 | Dec 11 | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs MI Emirates | 6:30 PM | Abu Dhabi |
| 12 | Dec 12 | Gulf Giants vs Desert Vipers | 6:30 PM | Dubai |
| 13 | Dec 13 | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Dubai Capitals | 6:30 PM | Abu Dhabi |
| 14 | Dec 14 | MI Emirates vs Sharjah Warriorz | 2:00 PM | Abu Dhabi |
| 15 | Dec 14 | Desert Vipers vs Dubai Capitals | 6:30 PM | Dubai |
| 16 | Dec 15 | Sharjah Warriorz vs Gulf Giants | 6:30 PM | Sharjah |
| 17 | Dec 16 | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Desert Vipers | 6:30 PM | Abu Dhabi |
| 18 | Dec 17 | Dubai Capitals vs MI Emirates | 6:30 PM | Dubai |
| 19 | Dec 18 | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Gulf Giants | 6:30 PM | Abu Dhabi |
| 20 | Dec 19 | Sharjah Warriorz vs Dubai Capitals | 6:30 PM | Sharjah |
| 21 | Dec 20 | MI Emirates vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 2:00 PM | Abu Dhabi |
| 22 | Dec 20 | Desert Vipers vs Sharjah Warriorz | 6:30 PM | Dubai |
| 23 | Dec 21 | Gulf Giants vs Dubai Capitals | 2:00 PM | Sharjah |
| 24 | Dec 21 | Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates | 6:30 PM | Dubai |
| 25 | Dec 22 | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Sharjah Warriorz | 6:30 PM | Abu Dhabi |
| 26 | Dec 23 | MI Emirates vs Gulf Giants | 6:30 PM | Abu Dhabi |
| 27 | Dec 24 | Dubai Capitals vs Sharjah Warriorz | 6:30 PM | Dubai |
| 28 | Dec 26 | Sharjah Warriorz vs Desert Vipers | 6:30 PM | Sharjah |
| 29 | Dec 27 | MI Emirates vs Dubai Capitals | 6:30 PM | Abu Dhabi |
| 30 | Dec 28 | Gulf Giants vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 6:30 PM | Dubai |
| Qua1 | Dec 30 | TBA vs TBA (Qualifier 1) | 6:30 PM | Abu Dhabi |
| Elim. | Jan 1 | TBA vs TBA | 6:30 PM | Dubai |
| Qua2 | Jan 2 | TBA vs TBA (Qualifier 2) | 6:30 PM | Sharjah |
| Final | Jan 4 | TBA vs TBA (Final) | 6:30 PM | Dubai |
