DP World ILT20 launches Season 5 with Shoaib Akhtar and Brett Lee as Tournament Ambassadors

Six-team competition will run from 22 November to 20 December, with a stronger focus on developing cricket across the Gulf

The DP World International League T20 has officially launched its fifth season, bringing together former fast-bowling greats Shoaib Akhtar and Brett Lee, commentator Simon Doull, league officials and representatives from across Gulf cricket at an event in Dubai.

Akhtar and Lee were introduced as DP World ILT20 Tournament Ambassadors ahead of the league’s return later this year.

Season 5 will begin on Sunday, 22 November and conclude with the final at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, 20 December. The tournament will feature 34 matches between Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriorz.

Defending champions Desert Vipers will begin the new season looking to retain the title they won for the first time in January. They defeated MI Emirates by 46 runs in the Season 4 final at Dubai International Stadium.

Akhtar backs ILT20’s continued growth

Speaking during the launch, Shoaib Akhtar praised the quality of the cricketing facilities available in the UAE and the platform the tournament provides to international and regional players.

The former Pakistan fast bowler said the league had continued to grow and establish itself within the international T20 calendar. The presence of leading players, experienced coaches and strong franchise structures has helped raise the standard of the tournament.

Akhtar also spoke about the possibility of another express fast bowler emerging from Pakistan and following in his footsteps. While natural pace remains rare, he said young bowlers need the right training, fitness, discipline and opportunities if they are to develop into international cricketers.

The former pacer also discussed his friendship with Lee, with whom he shared one of cricket’s most memorable fast-bowling rivalries. Both men regularly exceeded speeds of 150 kilometres per hour during their careers and remain closely associated with an era in which genuine pace was a major part of international cricket.

Their involvement as tournament ambassadors gives the ILT20 two widely recognised voices to promote the competition and connect it with cricket audiences across Asia, Australia and other international markets.

Lee excited about ambassadorial role

Brett Lee said he was excited to experience his first season as a DP World ILT20 Tournament Ambassador and see the competition at close quarters.

The former Australian fast bowler believes T20 cricket must offer entertainment without losing the competitive contest between bat and ball. The quality of the overseas players joining the ILT20, combined with the opportunity for local cricketers to play alongside them, gives the league a strong foundation.

Lee said tournaments such as the ILT20 can also help younger players develop by exposing them to professional dressing rooms and allowing them to observe how established international cricketers prepare for matches.

For emerging fast bowlers, that access can be particularly valuable. Training alongside experienced players and working with international coaches can help them better understand their fitness, recovery, match preparation and decision-making under pressure.

Doull expects competitive fifth season

DP World ILT20 commentator Simon Doull said the competition had developed considerably since its opening season and was building its own identity within a crowded international T20 schedule.

The former New Zealand fast bowler highlighted the depth of international talent in the tournament and the competitive balance between the six franchises.

Doull said the format produces different challenges across the UAE’s three main venues. Conditions at Dubai International Stadium, Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium and Sharjah Cricket Stadium can vary, requiring teams to adjust their selections and tactics during the tournament.

He expects Season 5 to deliver another closely fought competition, particularly with the international players already confirmed and more names set to be added through the Player Auction.

Wider pathway for Gulf cricketers

The league’s expanding role in the development of cricket across the Gulf was another important theme at the launch.

Haider Farman, President of Kuwait Cricket, said the partnership with the DP World ILT20 had opened a clearer pathway for Kuwaiti players seeking to compete at a higher level.

Players from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE can be selected by the six franchises at the Season 5 Player Auction. The opportunity allows cricketers from emerging Gulf nations to train and play alongside experienced international players.

Farman said such exposure could have a wider effect on cricket in Kuwait. It gives young players a visible target to work towards while encouraging higher professional standards within the country’s domestic cricket structure.

The partnership has already included an ILT20 Development Tournament in Kuwait, offering local players a chance to demonstrate their ability in a competitive environment. Standout Kuwaiti cricketers can now put themselves forward for consideration by the six ILT20 franchises.

For Associate nations, the value of the pathway extends beyond individual selection. Access to professional coaches, high-performance environments and international competition can contribute to the long-term development of the game across the region.

Major names confirmed for Season 5

Several leading T20 players have already been confirmed for the new season.

Finn Allen will join Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, while South African batters David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen will represent Gulf Giants. Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis will return to the tournament with Dubai Capitals.

Nicholas Pooran, Rashid Khan, Sunil Narine, Jason Holder, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sikandar Raza and Romario Shepherd are among the established ILT20 players returning to their respective franchises.

The six teams will complete their squads at the Season 5 Player Auction in Dubai on Thursday, 1 October. Each franchise will assemble a squad of between 18 and 23 players, with places available for cricketers from the UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, as well as additional overseas players.

With two of cricket’s fastest bowlers serving as tournament ambassadors, major international players already confirmed and a wider regional pathway taking shape, the Season 5 launch reflected the ILT20’s ambition to combine high-profile T20 cricket with the development of the game across the Gulf.