Overview
The fourth season of the UAE International League T20 promises thrilling cricket action. This guide covers the complete 2025-26 schedule groundbreaking auction results team squads and where to watch every match live worldwide.
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| The Dubai International Cricket Stadium venue for the ILT20 2025-26 opener and final. |
Cricket exciting winter spectacle is back The International League T20 2025-26 season is set to light up the United Arab Emirates from Tuesday December 2, 2025 culminating in the grand final on Sunday January 4, 2026. This edition marks a significant shift introducing a player auction for the first time. Six formidable teams will battle across 34 matches over five action packed weeks. Let dive into everything you need to follow the tournament.
Tournament Schedule and Key Fixtures
The anticipation is building for the ILT20 fourth season. Global fans are ready to see world class talent compete under the UAE lights. The league phase features a robust round robin format, followed by a high stakes playoff series.
Playoff Schedule
Qualifier 1:
Tuesday, December 30, 2025 – Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Eliminator
Thursday, January 1, 2026 – Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Qualifier 2
Friday, January 2, 2026 – Sharjah Cricket Stadium
THE FINAL
Sunday, January 4, 2026 – Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Tournament Venues
Dubai International Cricket Stadium
The premier venue will host the opener and the final, alongside numerous league games.
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi: This iconic ground serves as the home for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and MI Emirates.
Sharjah Cricket Stadium: Famous for its electric atmosphere and batting friendly pitches this historic venue guarantees exciting contests.
Match Timing
The majority of games begin at 6:30 PM local time (8:00 PM IST), perfectly timed for evening viewing in India and neighboring countries. Select weekend matches have a 2:00 PM local time (3:30 PM IST) start, offering fans thrilling double-header days.
A Historic Auction Reshapes the League
October 1, 2025 marked a new chapter for the ILT20. Moving away from the draft the league held its inaugural live player auction in Dubai featuring nearly 300 cricketers from over 20 nations.
Teams entered with an $800,000 auction purse supplementing their initial $1.2 million budget for pre signed and retained players. The rules mandated a minimum total squad spend of $1.5 million, capped at $2 million with an option for two additional "wildcard" signings.
Auction Surprises and Top Buys
The auction room witnessed its share of drama.Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, listed at a top base price of $120,000, surprisingly found no takers. In contrast, several players sparked intense bidding wars.
Top 5 Auction Purchases 2025-26
Andre Fletcher MI Emirates Wicketkeeper Batter $260,000
Scott Currie Dubai Capitals Bowling All rounder $250,000
Liam Dawson Gulf Giants Bowling All rounder $170,000
Junaid Siddique Sharjah Warriorz Bowler $170,000 (RTM)
Md Rohid Khan MI Emirates Bowler $140,000 (RTM)
West Indies Andre Fletcher emerged as the most expensive buy underscoring MI Emirates desire for firepower at the top. The high price for England's Scott Currie highlighted the demand for promising pace bowlers. The use of "Right to Match" (RTM) cards by teams like Sharjah Warriorz demonstrated a strong commitment to securing UAE based talent.
A Look at Past Champions
The ILT20 has quickly established a legacy of competitive cricket. Here is a roll call of honor:
•1st 2023 Gulf Giants Champions
Desert Vipers Runner up
•2nd 2024 MI Emirates Champions
Dubai Capitals Runner up
•3rd 2025 Dubai Capitals Champions
Desert Vipers Runner up
The Dubai Capitals are the defending champions claiming their first title in the 2025 season.
Team Squads and Season Predictions
Following the auction teams have assembled balanced squads (19-21 players) each requiring a minimum of four UAE players including one Under 23 prospect.
Early Season Outlook
MI Emirates
Appear as formidable contenders with a powerful lineup featuring Fletcher, Jonny Bairstow, and a deep all rounder contingent.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
Boast arguably the most explosive batting order with Alex Hales, Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Andre Russell.
Gulf Giants
Led by the steady James Vince they remain a well rounded unit with strong bowling resources.
Dubai Capitals
Made savvy purchases like Scott Currie to bolster their pace attack as they defend their title.
Sharjah Warriorz
Focused on local investments securing bowler Junaid Siddique at a premium.
Keep an eye on emerging UAE talents like Muhammad Rohid Khan and Shayan Jahangir who could become breakout stars this season.
How to Watch: Global Broadcast Guide
No matter where you are you can catch the ILT20 action.
In India: Broadcast on Zee Network channels (Zee TV, Zee Cinema HD). Live streaming is available on the Zee5 app and website with multi language commentary.
In the UAE & MENA: Tune in to Dubai TV or Abu Dhabi TV. Matches will also stream live on the official ILT20 YouTube channel.
Global Streaming Options
· USA & Canada: Willow TV
· United Kingdom & Europe: Samsung TV Plus, Rakuten TV
· Pakistan: TAPMAD
· Australia: Fox Sport
· South Africa: SuperSport
· New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ
· Caribbean: SportsMax
Conclusion A New Era for ILT20 Cricket
The ILT20 2025-26 season is poised to deliver top tier T20 entertainment during the holiday period. With fresh squad dynamics driven by the inaugural auction a blend of international stars and local prospects and extensive global coverage, this tournament promises non stop excitement. The move from a draft to an auction has already added a layer of intrigue setting the stage for a fiercely competitive and unforgettable season.
FAQ
When is the ILT20 2025-26 final?
The championship final will be held onJanuary 4, 2026, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Who won the last ILT20 season?
TheDubai Capitals are the reigning champions, having won the 2025 season by defeating the Desert Vipers.
How many UAE players must each team field?
Each playing eleven must include aminimum of two UAE national players. Furthermore, every squad must contain at least four UAE players in total, one of whom must be under the age of 23.
Where can I stream ILT20 matches live?
· India: Stream on Zee5.
· UAE: Watch on Dubai TV, Abu Dhabi TV, or the ILT20 YouTube channel.
· USA/Canada: Subscribe to Willow TV.
· UK/Europe: Check Samsung TV Plus or Rakuten TV.
· Pakistan: Use the TAPMAD platform.
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