Exciting Start to the DP World ILT20 Season 3

The much-anticipated third season of the DP World ILT20 is set to kick off on Saturday, January 11, promising thrilling cricket action in the vibrant UAE. Six dynamic teams representing Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah will battle it out from January 11 to February 9, competing for the prestigious championship title. This exhilarating cricket tournament follows the T20 format, which features a maximum of 20 overs per team, ensuring fast-paced and electrifying matches.

Each squad boasts an impressive mix of international stars and local Emirati talent, ready to showcase their skills throughout the month-long league. The participating teams include the Dubai Capitals and Gulf Giants from Dubai, the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and reigning champions MI Emirates from Abu Dhabi, as well as the Sharjah Warriorz representing Sharjah.

Fans can enjoy this thrilling cricket experience with tickets starting at just Dhs20, available for purchase through the Virgin Megastore.

Understanding the ILT20 Format

The tournament structure is designed for excitement, with each team scheduled to play ten league matches. The top four teams will advance to the playoffs, where the top two teams will compete in the first qualifier. The third and fourth-placed teams will face off in an eliminator, with the winner getting a shot at the grand final against the loser of the top two teams’ match.

Full Match Schedule for ILT20 2025

• Dubai Capitals vs MI Emirates – Sat Jan 11, Dubai International Cricket Stadium
• Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Desert Vipers – Sun Jan 12, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
• Gulf Giants vs Sharjah Warriorz – Sun Jan 12, Dubai International Cricket Stadium
• Dubai Capitals vs MI Emirates – Mon Jan 13, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
• Desert Vipers vs Gulf Giants – Tue Jan 14, Dubai International Cricket Stadium
• Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Sharjah Warriorz – Wed Jan 15, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
• Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates – Thu Jan 16, Dubai International Cricket Stadium
• Sharjah Warriorz vs Dubai Capitals – Fri Jan 17, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
• Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Desert Vipers – Sat Jan 18, Dubai International Cricket Stadium
• Sharjah Warriorz vs MI Emirates – Sun Jan 19, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
• Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Gulf Giants – Sun Jan 19, Dubai International Cricket Stadium
• Dubai Capitals vs Desert Vipers – Mon Jan 20, Dubai International Cricket Stadium
• Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs MI Emirates – Tue Jan 21, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
• Desert Vipers vs Sharjah Warriorz – Wed Jan 22, Dubai International Cricket Stadium
• Dubai Capitals vs Gulf Giants – Thu Jan 23, Dubai International Cricket Stadium
• Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs MI Emirates – Fri Jan 25, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
• Sharjah Warriorz vs Desert Vipers – Sat Jan 25, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
• Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates – Sat Jan 25, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

• Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Dubai Capitals – Sun Jan 26, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
• Sharjah Warriorz vs Gulf Giants – Sun Jan 26, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
• Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates – Mon Jan 27, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
• Dubai Capitals vs Sharjah Warriorz – Tue Jan 28, Dubai International Cricket Stadium
• Desert Vipers vs Gulf Giants – Wed Jan 29, Dubai International Cricket Stadium
• Sharjah Warriorz vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – Thu Jan 30, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
• Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates – Fri Jan 31, Dubai International Cricket Stadium
• Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Gulf Giants – Sat Feb 1, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
• MI Emirates vs Sharjah Warriorz – Sun Feb 2, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
• Dubai Capitals vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – Sun Feb 2, Dubai International Cricket Stadium
• Desert Vipers vs Dubai Capitals – Mon Feb 3, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
• Qualifier 1: 1st place in league vs 2nd in league – Wed Feb 5, Dubai International Cricket Stadium
• Eliminator: 3rd place in league vs 4th place in league – Thu Feb 6, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
• Qualifier 2: Loser of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Eliminator – Fri Feb 7, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
• Final – Sun Feb 9, Dubai International Cricket Stadium

DP World ILT20 Season 3 Team Squads

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

New Signings: Gudakesh Motie, Ibrar Ahmad, Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers, Phil Salt (Wildcard), Roston Chase, Shahid Iqbal Bhutta, Sufiyan Muqeem, Terrance Hinds, and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth.
Retained Players: Aditya Shetty, Ali Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Andre Russell, Andries Gous, Charith Asalanka, David Willey, Joe Clarke, Laurie Evans, Michael Pepper, and Sunil Narine.

Desert Vipers

New Signings: Dan Lawrence (Wildcard), David Payne, Dhruv Parashar, Fakhar Zaman, Kushal Malla (replacement for injured Bas de Leede), Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Lockie Ferguson, Max Holden, and Sam Curran (previously played for Vipers in Season 2 as a wildcard).
Retained Players: Adam Hose, Alex Hales, Ali Naseer, Azam Khan, Luke Wood, Michael Jones, Mohammad Amir, Nathan Sowter, Sherfane Rutherford, Tanish Suri, and Wanindu Hasaranga.

Dubai Capitals

New Signings: Adam Rossington (Wildcard), Aryaman Varma (replacement for Jake Fraser McGurk), Ben Dunk, Brandon McMullen, Garuka Sanketh (replacement), Farhan Khan, Gulbadin Naib, Joe Burns, Joe Weatherley, Najibullah Zadran, Obed McCoy, Scott Kuggeleijn, Sharafuddin Ashraf (replacement), Shai Hope, Shahrukh Ahmed, and Zeeshan Naseer.
Retained Players: Dasun Shanaka, David Warner, Dushmantha Chameera, Haider Ali, Raja Akif, Rovman Powell, Sam Billings, Sikandar Raza, Zahir Khan, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and Oliver Stone.

Gulf Giants

New Signings: Adam Lyth, Dominic Drakes, Daniel Worrall (previously played for Giants in Season 2), Dushan Hemantha (replacement), Ibrahim Zadran, Mark Adair, Ollie Robinson (wicketkeeper-batter), Tim David, Tom Curran, Tymal Mills, Muhammad Saghir Khan, Muhammad Uzair Khan, and Wahidullah Zadran.
Retained Players: Aayan Afzal Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Chris Jordan, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gerhard Erasmus, James Vince, Jordan Cox, Mohammad Zuhaib Zubair, Rehan Ahmed, and Shimron Hetmyer.

MI Emirates

New Signings: Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Alzarri Joseph, Aryan Lakra, Ben Charlesworth, Fareed Ahmad, Romario Shepherd, Tom Banton, Thomas Draca, and Zahoor Khan.
Retained Players: Akeal Hosein, Andre Fletcher, Daniel Mousley, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Jordan Thompson, Kieron Pollard, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Muhammad Waseem, Nicholas Pooran, Nosthush Kenjige, and Waqar Salamkheil.

Sharjah Warriorz

New Signings: Tim Southee (captain), Adam Milne, Adil Rashid (previously played for Warriorz in Season 2 as a Wildcard), Ashton Agar, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Daniel Sams, Ethan D’ Souza, Harmeet Singh, Jason Roy, Karim Janat, Keemo Paul, Matthew Wade, Rohan Mustafa, Tim Seifert, Traveen Mathew, and Virandeep Singh.
Retained Players: Dilshan Madushanka, Johnson Charles, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah, Kusal Mendis, Luke Wells, Peter Hatzoglou, and Tom Kohler-Cadmore.

From Dhs20. January 11 – February 9. Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. Tickets available at virginmegastore.me

Explore the Weekend in Dubai

Indulge in the viral Fix chocolate in Dubai (or discover the best alternatives if you can’t find it)

Satisfy your sweet tooth cravings
Discover the finest pubs in Dubai, perfect for any occasion (including football matches)

Find the ideal spot for a great time with friends
Learn how to dine at 12 high-end Dubai restaurants for less
Take advantage of early bird dinners, lunch specials, and much more