ILT20 Season 5: Desert Vipers to defend title against MI Emirates
Desert Vipers begin title defence against MI Emirates on Nov 21 to kick off ILT20 Season 5. Check the full tournament schedule and star players.
The ILT20 Season 5 is set to ignite the UAE cricket scene as the defending champions, Desert Vipers, prepare to begin their title defence. In a high-stakes opening clash, the Vipers will face last year’s finalists and Season 2 champions, MI Emirates, at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday, November 21.
Tournament Kick-off and Key Fixtures
The action commences at 6:30 pm local time, marking the start of a thrilling 34-match tournament. The excitement continues the following day, Sunday, November 22, with a double-header. The first match of the season at the historic Sharjah Cricket Stadium will see the Sharjah Warriorz take on the Season 1 champions, Gulf Giants, at 2:00 pm. Later that evening, the Dubai Capitals—the Season 3 champions—will begin their quest for glory against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Dubai International Stadium.
Star-Studded Lineups
The upcoming season promises a spectacular display of cricket, featuring some of the world's most elite players. Fans can look forward to seeing:
- Desert Vipers: Babar Azam, Shimron Hetmyer, and Naseem Shah.
- MI Emirates: Rashid Khan, Nicholas Pooran, and Fazalhaq Farooqi.
- Dubai Capitals: Faf du Plessis, Marcus Stoinis, and Mustafizur Rahman.
- Gulf Giants: Heinrich Klaasen, Liam Livingstone, and David Miller.
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Moeen Ali, Usman Tariq, and Finn Allen.
- Sharjah Warriorz: Mohammad Nabi, Sikandar Raza, and Adil Rashid.
Tournament Format and Grand Finale
The ILT20 Season 5 follows a double round-robin format where each of the six teams will compete in 10 matches. Following the 30-match group stage, the top four teams in the standings will advance to a four-match playoff series. The journey will culminate in the grand final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, December 20, 2026.
In a special tribute to the UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad), a festive double-header will be held on December 2. The afternoon match will feature the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders hosting the Desert Vipers at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, followed by an evening clash between the Dubai Capitals and MI Emirates in Dubai.
Venue Breakdown
The tournament will be spread across three iconic venues in the UAE:
- Dubai International Stadium: Will host 15 matches.
- Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi: Will host 11 matches.
- Sharjah Cricket Stadium: Will host 8 matches.