The International League T20 (ILT20) is a professional franchise-based T20 cricket league played in the United Arab Emirates. The Emirates Cricket Board established the competition to bring international stars together with UAE players and help develop cricket in the country. The tournament features six teams representing different cities and regions, with matches played in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. The league began in January 2023 and has since attracted players from several major cricketing nations.
The competition is also known as the DP World ILT20 because of its title sponsorship. Its franchise model brings together well-known cricket groups and investors, including owners connected with teams in the Indian Premier League. Gulf Giants won the inaugural season, while MI Emirates, Dubai Capitals and Desert Vipers have also lifted the trophy. Desert Vipers became champions for the first time in the 2025–26 season after defeating MI Emirates in the final.
What Is the International League T20?
The International League T20 is a professional T20 franchise tournament organised under the Emirates Cricket Board. It was established in 2021, with the first season taking place in 2023. The competition gives international players an opportunity to play alongside UAE cricketers while helping local talent gain experience against experienced professionals.
The league follows a franchise system, with six teams competing for the title. Each team builds its squad through player recruitment and auctions, while the tournament includes a group stage and playoffs. Matches are held at major cricket grounds in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
ILT20 has also become part of the busy international franchise cricket calendar. Its teams have signed recognised players from countries such as England, Australia, Pakistan, India, South Africa, the West Indies and Sri Lanka. The league aims to improve the standard of UAE cricket and attract a wider audience to the sport.
International League T20 Winners List
Four different teams have won the four completed ILT20 seasons through January 2026. Gulf Giants won the first title in 2023, followed by MI Emirates in 2024 and Dubai Capitals in 2025. Desert Vipers claimed their maiden championship in the 2025–26 season.
| Season | Winner | Runner-up |
| 2023 | Gulf Giants | Desert Vipers |
| 2024 | MI Emirates | Dubai Capitals |
| 2025 | Dubai Capitals | Desert Vipers |
| 2025–26 | Desert Vipers | MI Emirates |
2023: Gulf Giants
Gulf Giants became the first champions of the International League T20 in 2023. They defeated Desert Vipers by seven wickets in the final to win the inaugural title. Their victory gave the Adani Sportsline-owned franchise a successful start in the new competition.
The first season introduced fans to the league’s six-team format and brought together international stars and UAE players. The Gulf Giants set the early benchmark by finishing the tournament with the championship.
2024: MI Emirates
MI Emirates won their first ILT20 title in 2024 after defeating Dubai Capitals in the final. The franchise is part of the Mumbai Indians ownership group, which also operates teams in other franchise cricket competitions.
The victory added another trophy to the wider Mumbai Indians franchise network. MI Emirates became the second team to win the ILT20 after Gulf Giants claimed the inaugural championship.
2025: Dubai Capitals
Dubai Capitals lifted their first ILT20 trophy in February 2025. They defeated Desert Vipers by four wickets in the final to complete their title-winning campaign.
The result made Dubai Capitals the third different champion in as many seasons. Their victory also meant that the league had not yet seen a team win the title twice.
2025–26: Desert Vipers
Desert Vipers won their maiden ILT20 championship on January 4, 2026, beating MI Emirates by 46 runs in the final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The Vipers scored 182/4 before bowling MI Emirates out for 136.
Sam Curran played a key role in the victory, scoring an unbeaten 74 from 51 balls. He also finished the tournament as its Most Valuable Player and leading batter, with 397 runs. The championship was a major achievement for a franchise that had previously finished as runner-up.
International League T20 Teams
The ILT20 features six franchises based in the UAE. Several have ownership links with organisations that operate teams in other major T20 leagues. The franchises represent different cities and regions while recruiting players from around the world.
| Team | Ownership group |
| Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Knight Riders Group |
| Desert Vipers | Lancer Capital |
| Dubai Capitals | GMR Group |
| Gulf Giants | Adani Sportsline |
| MI Emirates | Reliance Industries |
| Sharjah Warriorz | Capri Global |
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders are part of the Knight Riders Group, which also operates Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. The franchise represents Abu Dhabi and competes with a mix of international and UAE players.
Desert Vipers
Desert Vipers are owned by Lancer Capital and represent one of the league’s leading franchises. They reached the final in earlier seasons before winning their first ILT20 title in January 2026.
Dubai Capitals
Dubai Capitals are owned by GMR Group, which has investments in cricket and other sports. The team won its first ILT20 championship in 2025 after defeating Desert Vipers in the final.
Gulf Giants
Gulf Giants are owned by Adani Sportsline. They won the inaugural ILT20 season in 2023 and became the first team to lift the competition’s trophy.
MI Emirates
MI Emirates belongs to the Reliance Industries cricket franchise network, which includes Mumbai Indians. They won the 2024 season and finished as runners-up in the 2025–26 final.
Sharjah Warriorz
Sharjah Warriorz are owned by Capri Global and represent Sharjah in the competition. The franchise competes at Sharjah Cricket Stadium and continues to pursue its first ILT20 championship.
International League T20 Format
ILT20 uses the Twenty20 format, with each team allowed to bat for a maximum of 20 overs in a standard innings. The tournament’s structure gives teams several chances to qualify for the playoffs.
The established format features six teams and 34 matches. Each franchise plays the other five teams twice during the league stage, producing 30 group matches. The top four teams then advance to the knockout stage.
The playoffs consist of four matches:
- Qualifier 1: The top two teams face each other. The winner advances directly to the final.
- Eliminator: The third- and fourth-placed teams play for a place in Qualifier 2.
- Qualifier 2: The loser of Qualifier 1 faces the Eliminator winner.
- Final: The winners of the two qualifying matches compete for the championship.
This format rewards teams that finish near the top of the standings because the first two sides receive an additional opportunity to reach the final.
International League T20 2026–27 Season
The fifth ILT20 season is scheduled for November and December 2026, with the competition continuing into early 2027 if the final schedule spans the calendar year. The six established franchises are expected to compete again, with player recruitment taking place through the season’s auction process.
The league announced its Season 5 player auction for October 1, 2026. Several recognised international players, including Babar Azam, Phil Salt, Tom Banton, Wanindu Hasaranga and Faf du Plessis, featured among the names announced for the auction.
Desert Vipers enter the new season as the defending champions after their victory over MI Emirates in January 2026. The league has announced a rematch between the two teams for the opening match of Season 5, scheduled for November 21 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The new season will give the other five franchises another opportunity to challenge for the trophy. Gulf Giants, MI Emirates and Dubai Capitals have already won the competition, while Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and Sharjah Warriorz will continue their pursuit of a first title.
International League T20 Venues
ILT20 matches are played at three major cricket venues in the UAE. These grounds host the group-stage fixtures and selected knockout matches.
| Stadium | City |
| Dubai International Cricket Stadium | Dubai |
| Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium | Abu Dhabi |
| Sharjah Cricket Stadium | Sharjah |
Dubai International Cricket Stadium has hosted major ILT20 matches, including the 2026 final between Desert Vipers and MI Emirates. Sharjah Cricket Stadium is known for its long cricketing history, while Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium is another important venue for international cricket in the UAE.
International League T20 Records and Achievements
The league has had four different champions across its first four completed seasons. This has kept the title race open and given several franchises a chance to establish themselves in the competition.
Most Successful ILT20 Teams
No franchise has won more than one title across the first four completed seasons. Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, Dubai Capitals and Desert Vipers have each won the championship once.
| Team | Titles | Winning season |
| Gulf Giants | 1 | 2023 |
| MI Emirates | 1 | 2024 |
| Dubai Capitals | 1 | 2025 |
| Desert Vipers | 1 | 2025–26 |
2025–26 Season Awards
The 2025–26 campaign produced several standout individual performances, led by Desert Vipers captain Sam Curran. He finished as both the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and its leading batter.
| Award | Winner | Team |
| Most Valuable Player | Sam Curran | Desert Vipers |
| Best Batter | Sam Curran | Desert Vipers |
| Best Bowler | Waqar Salamkheil | Dubai Capitals |
| Best UAE Player | Muhammad Waseem | MI Emirates |
Waqar Salamkheil led the bowling charts with 18 wickets, while Muhammad Waseem won the award for the best UAE player for the fourth consecutive campaign.
International League T20 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Full name | International League T20 |
| Common name | ILT20 |
| Title sponsor | DP World |
| Governing body | Emirates Cricket Board |
| First season | 2023 |
| Country | United Arab Emirates |
| Format | Twenty20 |
| Teams | 6 |
| Standard tournament size | 34 matches |
| Latest completed season | 2025–26 |
| Latest champion | Desert Vipers |
| Latest runner-up | MI Emirates |
| Latest final date | January 4, 2026 |
| Latest final result | Desert Vipers won by 46 runs |
FAQs
Q. What is the International League T20?
A. It is a professional T20 cricket league played in the UAE.
Q. When did ILT20 begin?
A. The first season took place in 2023.
Q. Who won the latest completed ILT20 season?
A. Desert Vipers won the 2025–26 season.
Q. How many teams play in ILT20?
A. Six teams compete in the tournament.
Q. Which team won the first ILT20 title?
A. The Gulf Giants won the inaugural title in 2023.
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