ILT20 Season 5: Teams, Squads, Schedule and Players to Watch in 2026
The fifth edition of the International League T20 (ILT20) is set to bring another month of franchise cricket to the United Arab Emirates. Scheduled from November 21 to December 20, 2026, the tournament will feature six teams, 34 matches and several internationally recognized cricketers competing across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
This season has already attracted attention through its player auction, major franchise signings and increased investment in UAE talent. With Desert Vipers returning as defending champions, the upcoming competition offers plenty of interesting storylines for cricket fans.
Beyond the international names, Season 5 also highlights the league’s efforts to include regional players and strengthen its position in the international T20 calendar. Here is what fans should know about the teams, format, schedule and key players ahead of the tournament.
When Does ILT20 Season 5 Start and End?
ILT20 Season 5 will begin on Saturday, November 21, 2026, and conclude with the final on Sunday, December 20, 2026.
The opening match will feature defending champions Desert Vipers against MI Emirates at Dubai International Stadium. The first ball is scheduled for 6:30 PM UAE time.
The competition will run for 30 days, with six teams playing a double round-robin league stage before the top four advance to the playoffs.
ILT20 Season 5 Tournament Details
| Tournament Detail | Information |
| Competition | DP World International League T20 |
| Edition | Season 5 |
| Year | 2026 |
| Start Date | November 21, 2026 |
| Final Date | December 20, 2026 |
| Total Teams | 6 |
| Total Matches | 34 |
| League Matches | 30 |
| Playoff Matches | 4 |
| Host Country | United Arab Emirates |
| Host Cities | Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah |
| Defending Champions | Desert Vipers |
| Opening Match | Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates |
The tournament’s schedule gives each franchise 10 league matches, with the top four teams progressing to the knockout stage.
Which Teams Are Playing in ILT20 Season 5?
Six franchises will compete for the Season 5 title. Each team has built its squad through direct signings, player retentions and the October auction.
The participating franchises are:
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
- Desert Vipers
- Dubai Capitals
- Gulf Giants
- MI Emirates
- Sharjah Warriorz
Each team brings a different combination of international experience and regional talent. Several franchises have also retained players who contributed to their previous campaigns.
ILT20 Season 5 Teams and Key Players
| Team | Notable Players |
| Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Finn Allen, Jason Holder, Sunil Narine, Moeen Ali |
| Desert Vipers | Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan |
| Dubai Capitals | Faf du Plessis, Phil Salt, Marcus Stoinis, Mustafizur Rahman |
| Gulf Giants | Heinrich Klaasen, Liam Livingstone, David Miller, Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
| MI Emirates | Rashid Khan, Nicholas Pooran, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Muhammad Waseem |
| Sharjah Warriorz | Mohammad Nabi, Sikandar Raza, Adil Rashid, Tom Banton |
These players give the competition a strong international profile. However, final playing XIs and individual match roles will depend on player availability and franchise selections.
What Were the Biggest Signings in the ILT20 Season 5 Auction?
The Season 5 player auction took place on October 1, 2026, at the ICC Academy in Dubai. More than 200 shortlisted players from 23 countries were included in the auction pool.
The six franchises entered the auction with a USD 1.3 million purse each, in addition to any unspent money from their earlier direct-signing allocation.
Several major bids attracted attention, particularly those involving Afghanistan, England and Pakistan players.
Highest-Priced Players in the Season 5 Auction
| Player | Franchise | Auction Price |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | MI Emirates | $380,000 |
| Liam Livingstone | Gulf Giants | $350,000 |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Gulf Giants | $300,000+ |
| Faf du Plessis | Dubai Capitals | $300,000+ |
Fazalhaq Farooqi became the most expensive player in the auction after MI Emirates secured him for $380,000. Liam Livingstone followed with a $350,000 signing by Gulf Giants.
The auction also included Babar Azam, who joined Desert Vipers, while several other established international players secured places across the six squads.
These signings show how franchises are investing in experienced international talent to build competitive teams for the fifth edition.
Which UAE Players Attracted the Highest Bids?
One of the most interesting developments from the Season 5 auction was the investment in UAE cricketers.
Muhammad Waseem attracted the highest bid among UAE players, with MI Emirates securing him for $210,000. This made him the most expensive UAE player in ILT20 auction history at the time.
Other local players also attracted significant franchise interest.
Top UAE Signings in the ILT20 Season 5 Auction
| UAE Player | Franchise | Price |
| Muhammad Waseem | MI Emirates | $210,000 |
| Alishan Sharafu | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | $110,000 |
| Muhammad Rohid | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | $95,000 |
| Aayan Khan | Dubai Capitals | $95,000 |
| Khuzaima Bin Tanveer | Desert Vipers | $75,000 |
| Vriitya Aravind | Desert Vipers | $70,000 |
These signings highlight the growing investment in UAE cricket talent.
The inclusion of local players also gives them opportunities to compete alongside international professionals and gain experience in a demanding franchise environment.
For UAE cricket, continued participation at this level can help strengthen the connection between domestic competitions and professional franchise cricket.
What Are the Rules and Format of ILT20 Season 5?
The fifth edition will follow a double round-robin format, meaning each franchise faces the other five teams twice during the league stage.
This produces 30 league matches, followed by four playoff games.
How Does the ILT20 Playoff Format Work?
The top four teams in the points table qualify for the playoffs.
The qualification process works as follows:
- Qualifier 1: The first- and second-placed teams meet. The winner advances directly to the final.
- Eliminator: The third- and fourth-placed teams compete. The losing team is eliminated.
- Qualifier 2: The loser of Qualifier 1 faces the Eliminator winner.
- Final: The winners of Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2 compete for the championship.
This system gives the top two teams an additional opportunity to reach the final, while the third- and fourth-placed teams must win their knockout matches to remain in contention.
ILT20 Season 5 Match Format
| Stage | Matches |
| League Stage | 30 |
| Qualifier 1 | 1 |
| Eliminator | 1 |
| Qualifier 2 | 1 |
| Final | 1 |
| Total | 34 |
The league stage will determine the points table and playoff positions, making every fixture important for the teams competing for a place in the top four.
Which Stadiums Will Host ILT20 Season 5?
The competition will take place at three established cricket venues in the UAE. Each stadium has a different match allocation in the official schedule.
Season 5 Venues and Match Allocation
| Stadium | City | Scheduled Matches |
| Dubai International Stadium | Dubai | 15 |
| Zayed Cricket Stadium | Abu Dhabi | 11 |
| Sharjah Cricket Stadium | Sharjah | 8 |
Dubai International Stadium will host the highest number of matches, including the opening fixture and the final.
Zayed Cricket Stadium will host 11 matches, including Qualifier 1, while Sharjah Cricket Stadium will stage eight fixtures, including Qualifier 2.
Having matches across three cities gives the tournament a wider presence within the UAE and allows fans in different locations to follow the competition at their nearest venue.
What Are the Key Matches to Watch in ILT20 Season 5?
Several fixtures stand out because of the teams involved, their previous performances and the players expected to feature.
The opening match between Desert Vipers and MI Emirates is particularly interesting because it brings the previous season’s finalists together again.
Other fixtures worth following include:
- Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates: The opening match and a repeat of the previous season’s final.
- Dubai Capitals vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: A meeting between two franchises with strong international squads.
- Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates: An opportunity to see two teams with several established T20 players.
- Desert Vipers vs Dubai Capitals: A fixture featuring several high-profile international cricketers.
- Sharjah Warriorz vs Gulf Giants: An early opportunity for both teams to establish momentum.
These matches are scheduled league fixtures, not confirmed predictions of playoff qualification or tournament outcomes.
How Did Desert Vipers Become the Defending Champions?
Desert Vipers enter Season 5 after winning their first ILT20 championship in January 2026.
They defeated MI Emirates by 46 runs in the Season 4 final. Sam Curran played a major role in the victory, scoring an unbeaten 74 from 51 deliveries.
The Vipers posted 182/3 before restricting MI Emirates to 136 all out in 18.3 overs.
Curran finished the tournament as its leading run-scorer with 397 runs, while Waqar Salamkheil and UAE bowler Ajay Kumar shared the leading wicket-taker position with 18 wickets each.
The result gave Desert Vipers their first title and set up an interesting challenge for the franchise in the upcoming season.
Their opening fixture against MI Emirates will provide an early opportunity to see how the defending champions begin their title defence.
How Is ILT20 Supporting Emerging Cricket Talent?
Although international stars attract much of the attention, the league also has development initiatives aimed at supporting emerging players.
The ILT20 Development Tournament provides a separate competitive environment for franchise development teams and regional cricketers.
The fourth edition took place in September 2026, with Gulf Giants Development defeating Desert Vipers Development by four wickets in the final.
Sagar Kalyan was named Player of the Tournament after scoring 280 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 189. Desert Vipers Development’s Wali Muhammad Afridi finished as the leading wicket-taker with 15 wickets.
The league has also continued its Schools Cup programme, which gives young players opportunities to participate in organized cricket competitions.
These initiatives are important because they create additional opportunities beyond the main professional tournament. They also help franchises identify emerging talent who may progress into senior squads in future seasons.
What Should Fans Follow During ILT20 Season 5?
With 34 matches scheduled across a month, fans will have several aspects of the tournament to follow.
Some of the most useful areas include:
- Match schedules: Fixture dates, start times and stadium locations.
- Team squads: Confirmed franchise signings and replacement announcements.
- Player performances: Leading run-scorers, wicket-takers and individual match contributions.
- Points table: Wins, losses, points and net run rate.
- Pitch reports: Venue conditions and relevant historical ground information.
- Playoff qualification: Changes in the standings as teams compete for the top four positions.
Following these details can help fans understand how the tournament develops rather than focusing only on individual match results.
For readers who want to follow the competition more closely, the DP World ILT20 Season 5 guide brings together team squads, player profiles, fixtures, match information and tournament updates in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions About ILT20 Season 5
When does ILT20 Season 5 start in 2026?
ILT20 Season 5 starts on November 21, 2026. The opening match is scheduled between Desert Vipers and MI Emirates at Dubai International Stadium, with the first ball at 6:30 PM UAE time.
When is the ILT20 Season 5 final?
The final is scheduled for December 20, 2026, at Dubai International Stadium. It will feature the winners of Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2.
How many teams are participating in ILT20 2026?
Six franchises are participating: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriorz.
How many matches will be played in ILT20 Season 5?
The tournament includes 34 matches, consisting of 30 league-stage fixtures and four playoff matches.
Who are the defending champions of ILT20?
Desert Vipers are the defending champions after defeating MI Emirates by 46 runs in the Season 4 final in January 2026.
Who was the most expensive player in the ILT20 Season 5 auction?
Afghanistan fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi was the most expensive player in the Season 5 auction. MI Emirates secured him for USD 380,000.
Who was the most expensive UAE player in the Season 5 auction?
Muhammad Waseem became the highest-priced UAE player in ILT20 auction history at the time after MI Emirates secured him for USD 210,000.
Where will ILT20 Season 5 matches be played?
Matches will take place at Dubai International Stadium, Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
How many matches does each ILT20 team play?
Each franchise plays 10 league-stage matches in the double round-robin format, facing every other team twice.
Which teams qualify for the ILT20 playoffs?
The top four teams in the league-stage points table qualify for the playoffs. The first two teams receive an additional opportunity through Qualifier 1, while the third and fourth teams begin with the Eliminator.
Conclusion
ILT20 Season 5 brings together six franchises, international cricket stars and emerging regional players for 34 matches across the UAE. The auction has added several high-profile names, while the league’s investment in UAE talent and development competitions provides another important part of its story.
With the opening match scheduled for November 21, attention will soon turn to the teams, player performances and race for the top four positions. The fifth edition offers another opportunity for the franchises to compete for the title and for the league to strengthen its place in international T20 cricket.