On Tuesday, the first match of the fourth season of the DP World ILT20 tournament was played between the third season’s finalists — the Desert Vipers — and the defending champions, the Dubai Capitals. The Vipers won by four wickets. It does not seem long since the Season 3 final was held on Feb. 9, but there have been significant changes to squads and the organization of the tournament in the intervening months.
In the ever-congested international cricket calendar, competing events struggle for oxygen. The third ILT20 season took place in January/February 2025. Retention of similar dates in 2026 would abut the men’s T20 World Cup, which begins in Sri Lanka and India on Feb. 7, 2026. The decision to hold ILT20 between Dec. 2, 2025, and Jan. 4, 2026, means a partial overlap with the Big Bash League in Australia, which starts on Dec. 14 this year, and the SA20 which starts on Dec. 26. There is no clash with the Pakistan Super League, which runs from March 1-April 29, 2026, although the Bangladesh Premier League has announced an opening date of Dec. 26.
In future, these tournaments are likely to be faced each year with having to fit around major international tournaments and bilateral series between the major full members of the International Cricket Council. In this environment, it is vital for them to create their own competitive advantages and identities.
The BBL has been in operation since 2011, three years after the Indian Premier League. Discussions are underway regarding its privatization, which could enhance infrastructure and player salaries. ILT20 offers different opportunities for players and has a different strategy. It has a higher proportion of international players than the other franchises. They play key roles in developing local UAE players and, as from this tournament, Saudi and Kuwaiti players through partnerships between the respective national cricket boards.
ILT20’s fourth season follows on from the Abu Dhabi T10 tournament, which ran from Nov. 18-30. This year it was won by the UAE Bulls, for whom the Australian, Tim David, produced a 98-run onslaught in a total of 150 in the final. The Aspin Stallions were restricted to a mere 70 runs. David won both the Batter of the Tournament and Player of the Tournament awards, shattering the record for the highest number of sixes. He will play for Sharjah Warriors in the ILT20. In the winning team were two English players: Phil Salt, who will play for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and James Vince who will captain the Gulf Giants. Junaid Siddique, bought by the Sharjah Warriorz at auction, was named UAE Player of the Tournament. They are but a few of the players who have moved seamlessly to franchises in the ILT20.
The Abu Dhabi T10 tournament has been subject to scrutiny by the ICC’s anti-corruption unit. In September 2023, eight individuals — including three players, coaches and team owners — were charged with breaches of the anti-corruption code. Subsequently, three players were banned. This year, USA cricketer Akhilesh Reddy has been provisionally suspended after the ICC charged him with three breaches of its anti-corruption code. The tournament’s organizers moved fast to reaffirm their zero-tolerance towards any form of corruption, stating that the integrity of the sport remained its highest priority. This includes full cooperation and close working with the ICC’s ACU. The incident is a reminder that cricket remains a target for nefarious operators, even under the very noses of those responsible for policing such activities.
On the opening night of ILT20 Season 4, which coincided with 54th UAE National Day celebrations, such thoughts were far removed. The ceremony began with the UAE national anthem performed by Emirati singer Ahmed Al-Hosani, followed by multi-talented Pakistani singer-songwriter Ali Zafar. He delivered a high-energy performance featuring his biggest hits, before a National Day–themed fireworks display lit up the stadium.
At the captain’s press conference the previous day, there was talk of revitalized squads and the quality of both international and local talent the franchises have assembled. This has been through retentions from the previous season, the player auction and wild card selections. Attempting to forecast a winner is a fool’s game. The first edition in 2023 was won by the Gulf Giants, who defeated the Desert Vipers. In 2024, the Mumbai Indians beat the Dubai Capitals, while in Feb. 2025, the Dubai Capitals beat the Desert Vipers.
It is no secret that the Desert Vipers are keen to go one step better than losing finalists. Their coach, James Foster, remains in post, as does captain Lockie Ferguson. He missed the final in February because of injury, Sam Curran deputizing. At auction, the Vipers secured Pakistan players Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah and Hasan Nawaz. There was doubt whether the Pakistan Cricket Board would grant permission to play, but this was resolved.
The Vipers had a difficult decision to make in their retention strategy, opting to release Alex Hales, who was picked up by Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. Hales is the third player to breach the 14,000-run mark in T20 cricket. Since Jan. 1, 2019, no player in the world has scored more runs than Alex Hales. The Knight Riders are also boosted by Jason Holder as captain who will have fellow West Indians Sunil Narine and Andre Russell alongside him. Englishmen Salt, Liam Livingstone and Olly Stone are experienced hands. They will be looking to improve on their last-place finish in the third season.
There has been a captaincy change at the Dubai Capitals. During the third season, David Warner suffered an injury and Sam Billings took over very successfully, leading them to the title. Billings is committed to playing for Sydney Thunder in the BBL and Dasun Shanaka has stepped in as captain. Rovman Powell, who played a key innings in February’s final, is there to provide a steadying influence, but the loss of Warner and Billings may prove significant.
At the Gulf Giants, James Vince will be supported by former Hampshire teammate Liam Dawson and England colleague Moeen Ali. New Zealand’s Tim Southee will continue to lead the Warriorz, alongside the South African coach, J P Duminy. In the third season, the Warriorz made fourth place in the play-offs at the expense of the Gulf Giants. Southee is one of a handful of people in modern cricket who is combining late-career playing with coaching, mentoring and commentating. Dinesh Karthik, of India, is another. He will be wicket-keeper batter for the Warriorz, who have recruited well, including Sikandar Raza.
The intentions of the MI Emirates can be gauged by their record bid of $260,000 for the West Indies wicketkeeper-batter, Andre Fletcher. MI Emirates also opted to retain the UAE’s opening batter, Muhammad Waseem, as well as acquiring UAE quick bowler Junaid Siddique, who was the third-highest wicket-taker at this year's Asia Cup. They also have Shakib Al-Hasan on their books.
The stage is set for a more competitive tournament than before in which all franchises exude confidence that they can claim the title. Whatever the outcome, Season 4 represents a transformative one for the DP World ILT20 as it absorbs the impact of player auction, re-jigged squads and the introduction of players from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
