Dubai (Aletihad)
The third season of the DP World International League T20 (ILT20) promises another round of high-octane cricket with some bigger names in the cricket world joining the second-richest league from a players' perspective.
The UAE's flagship tournament will have star names such as Fakhar Zaman (Desert Vipers), Shai Hope (Dubai Capitals), Lockie Ferguson (Desert Vipers), Roston Chase (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), Matthew Wade (Sharjah Warriorz), Ibrahim Zadran (Gulf Giants) and Romario Shepherd (MI Emirates) making their debut as they bid to enthrall the crowds in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.
There are some players who have switched sides as well. Prominent among them is England opening batsman Jason Roy who has fallen out of favour in his country's hierarchy.
He started playing in cricket leagues around the world, including two matches for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, last season such that he had a burn-out and then skipped the most lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) having done well in the previous season for Kolkata Knight Riders. Roy has now switched camp to Sharjah Warriorz.
England's star all-rounder Gus Atkinson (Sharjah Warriorz) returns to the competition after appearing for the Vipers in the first season. Atkinson, who made his Test debut this year, has been in prolific form with both bat and ball; the right-arm pacer grabbed 34 wickets in six Tests over this summer. Fast bowler Tom Curran, having played 30 T20Is for England, will represent Season 1 champions Gulf Giants, having been with the Vipers.
Defending champions MI Emirates have done a bit of subdued business compared to others. The strikeout inclusion is that of star West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd, a proven match winner with his pace bowling and big-hitting batting in the T20 format.
England wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Banton has moved teams for a third time in as many seasons after being with Gulf Giants and Dubai Capitals. Afghanistan left-arm pacer Fareed Ahmad, Thomas Draca (Italy) and Ben Charlesworth of England are the other signings for MI Emirates.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, who played the Eliminator in Season 2, are bolstered by the inclusion of West Indies duo of Roston Chase (batting all-rounder) and Gudakesh Motie (left-arm spinner). Both Chase and Motie were part of the hosts West Indies team at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
ADKR have also signed upcoming Afghanistan spinner currently playing in Sharjah in one-day internationals against South Africa, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, along with USA all-rounder Hassan Khan and West Indies medium-pacer Terrance Hinds.
The strategic think-tank at Desert Vipers have chosen to put their confidence in Fakhar Zaman, the out-of-favour Pakistan batsman who is yet to stamp his mark in the short format after having an outstanding ODI World Cup in 2023. On the bowling side, New Zealand quick Lockie Ferguson will add real firepower. He bowled one of the most memorable spells in T20 history in New Zealand's win over Papua New Guinea – four overs, four maidens, three wickets – at this T20 World Cup.
Dubai Capitals have done heavy lifting, but prominent among their additions are West Indies wicketkeeper Shai Hope, Afghanistan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib and Australia's Joe Burns (now qualified as an Associate player for Italy).
Inaugural champions Gulf Giants have doubled up on Afghanistan's Ibrahim Zadran (opener) and Wahidullah Zadran (spinner) while picking up England bowler Tymal Mills from the Vipers.
Sharjah Warriorz, the only team not to reach the play-offs in either season, have went for the jugular with a host of big names. England spinner Adil Rashid, Australia wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, Australia's left-arm spinner Ashton Agar, West Indies all-rounder Keemo Paul, and Sri Lanka's Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Avishka Fernando among star names apart from Roy and Atkinson.
Meanwhile, the teams can add more players or replacements to their squads upon clearance from the ILT20 Technical Committee. Teams can also add additional UAE players to their squads via a draft which will take place after the conclusion of the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament next month.