International League T20 Cricket Tournament (ILT20)
The International League T20 (ILT20) is a professional Twenty20 cricket league in the United Arab Emirates. Established in 2022 and sanctioned by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), the league has quickly become a significant cricketing event in the Middle East. The inaugural season took place from January 13 to February 12, 2023, featuring six competitive teams: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai Capitals, Desert Vipers, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, and Sharjah Warriors.
ILT20 follows a double round-robin format, ensuring each team competes against every other team twice. The top four teams from the regular season qualify for the playoffs, consisting of a semi-final, a third-place play-off, and a final.
International League T20 2025 Schedule:
Gear up for the thrilling DP World ILT20 2025-26 season! This power-packed season brings you 34 gripping matches, culminating in a grand finale on January 4, 2026, at the iconic Dubai International Stadium (DIS). You can enjoy the ILT20 live stream or relive the best moments through ILT20 highlights on ZEE5.
In a rematch of this year's final, defending champions Dubai Capitals will play with Desert Vipers on December 2, 2025, to kick off the fourth season of the ILT20 League at the Dubai International Stadium. The cricket tournament's schedule, which was revealed, calls for 34 matches to be contested over almost a month, with the final scheduled for January 4, 2026, in Dubai.
IL T20 2025-26 Teams & Owners:
In the International League T20 (ILT20), each of the six teams is associated with a distinct owner, many of whom also own teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Notable owners include Shah Rukh Khan, the proprietor of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and the GMR Group, which owns Delhi Capitals (DC). Ambani, known for being the owner of Mumbai Indians (MI), also extends ownership to MI Emirates in the ILT20.
| Team | Home Ground | Captain | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium | Sunil Narine | Knight Rider Sports Group |
| Desert Vipers | Dubai International Cricket Stadium | Lockie Ferugson | Lancer Capital LLC |
| Dubai Capitals | Dubai International Cricket Stadium | Sikandar Raza | GMR Group |
| Gulf Giants | Dubai International Cricket Stadium | James Vince | Adani Sportsline Pvt.Ltd |
| MI Emirates | Zayed cricket stadium | Nicholas Pooran | Indiawin Sports Pvt. Ltd |
| Sharjah Warriors | Sharjah Cricket Stadium | Tim Southee | Capri Sports |
Venues for the International League T20 2025:
Season 4 of ILT20 in 2025-26 will be hosted exclusively in UAE venues. The matches will be played at three prominent stadiums:
- Dubai International Stadium, Dubai
- Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
- Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
ILT20 2022-23 Season 1 Results:
| Season | Final Venue | Winners | Result | Runners-up | No. of Teams | Player of the Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | Gulf Giants | Gulf Giants won by 7 wickets | Desert Vipers | 6 | Chris Jordan (Gulf Giants) |
ILT20 2023-24 Season 2 Results:
| Season | Final Venue | Winners | Result | Runners-up | No. of Teams | Player of the Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | MI Emirates | MI Emirates won by 45 runs | Dubai Capitals | 6 | Nicholas Pooran (MI Emirates) |
ILT20 2024-25 Season 3 Results:
| Season | Final Venue | Winners | Result | Runners-up | No. of Teams | Player of the Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | Dubai Capitals | Dubai Capitals won by 4 wickets | Desert Vipers | 6 | Sam Curran(Dubai Capitals) |
ILT20 Cricket Tournament FAQs
Q1. What is ILT20?
The International League T20 (ILT20) is a professional Twenty20 cricket league held in the United Arab Emirates, featuring six competitive teams.
Q2. When was ILT20 founded?
ILT20 was founded in 2022 and is officially sanctioned by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB).
Q3. How many teams participate in ILT20?
Six teams compete in ILT20, namely Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai Capitals, Desert Vipers, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, and Sharjah Warriors.
Q4. What is the format of ILT20?
ILT20 follows a double round-robin format, where each team plays against every other team twice in the regular season.
Q5. How do the playoffs work in ILT20?
The top four teams at the end of the regular season qualify for the playoffs, which include a semi-final, a third-place play-off, and a final.
Q6. Who won the inaugural season of ILT20?
The Gulf Giants emerged as the champions of the first ILT20 season, defeating Desert Vipers in the final.
Q7. What rules promote young player development in ILT20?
ILT20 mandates that each team must have at least two players under the age of 23, fostering the development of young cricket talent.
Q8. When is the ILT20 2025-26 season 4 scheduled to take place?
The ILT20 2025-26 season 4 commenced on December 02, 2025, with the final scheduled for January 04, 2026.
Q9. Where are the matches played in ILT20?
All matches of ILT20 are hosted in UAE venues, specifically in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah cricket stadiums.
Q10. What is the schedule for the International T20 2025-26 season?
The ILT20 season 4 runs from December 02, 2025, to January 04, 2026, featuring a total of 34 matches, including playoffs.
