ILT20 unveils complete fixtures of season 5; Defending champions Desert Vipers to face MI Emirates in opener

The fifth season will feature 34 matches over 30 days, including 30 league-stage games followed by four playoff fixtures. Matches will be staged at premier cricket venues in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, setting the stage for a month of high-intensity T20 cricket.

Defending champions to face MI Emirates in season opener

The tournament will begin with a repeat of last season’s final as defending champions Desert Vipers take on MI Emirates at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, November 21.

The opening fixture promises plenty of intrigue, with the two franchises having already established themselves among the prominent teams in the competition. Desert Vipers will enter the campaign looking to make a strong start to their title defence, while MI Emirates will aim to begin their season by putting the reigning champions under pressure.

The action will then move to Sharjah on November 22, where Sharjah Warriorz will face Gulf Giants. Abu Dhabi will host its first match of the season on November 26, with Abu Dhabi Knight Riders taking on MI Emirates at Zayed Cricket Stadium.

Playoff race set to intensify in December

The league stage will conclude on Monday, December 14, following the double round-robin format. The top four teams in the standings will then progress to the playoff stage, which will be played across the three host cities.

Qualifier 1 is scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi, followed by the Eliminator in Dubai on December 17. Sharjah will host Qualifier 2 on December 18 before the competition returns to Dubai for the grand finale on Sunday, December 20.

The playoff schedule:

• Qualifier 1: December 16 – Abu Dhabi
• Eliminator: December 17 – Dubai
• Qualifier 2: December 18 – Sharjah
• Final: December 20 – Dubai

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Star-studded squads add more excitement

The franchises have assembled impressive squads ahead of the new season, with several established international stars set to feature in ILT20 2026. Desert Vipers have added considerable firepower to their squad, bringing in Pakistan stars Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan. Their presence adds another dimension to a side that will be aiming to retain the title.

Gulf Giants have also strengthened their roster with England’s Liam Livingstone and Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Meanwhile, several renowned T20 names, including Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran and Rashid Khanare set to return for another ILT20 campaign.

With 15 matches scheduled in Dubai, 11 in Abu Dhabi and eight in Sharjah, the fifth edition promises a packed month of T20 cricket across the UAE. With a blockbuster opening fixture, star-studded squads and a tightly contested playoff race on the cards, ILT20 Season 5 is set to provide plenty of entertainment for cricket fans.

Complete fixtures of ILT20 2026