News DeskDubai, UAE – The DP World International League T20 (ILT20) has announced the retention of 69 players for its third season, scheduled to run from Saturday, 11 January to Sunday, 9 February 2025 across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. The retention window, which opened on 1 June, allowed the six franchises two weeks to submit their lists.
Season 3 promises to feature an impressive lineup of world-class T20 talent, including 26 players who participated in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Among the retained stars are T20 heavyweights Andre Russell, David Willey, Sunil Narine (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), Alex Hales, Azam Khan, Muhammad Amir, and Wanindu Hasaranga (Desert Vipers). Other notable retentions include David Warner, Rovman Powell, Sam Billings, and Sikandar Raza (Dubai Capitals), as well as Chris Jordan, James Vince, and Shimron Hetmyer (Gulf Giants). MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriors have also secured top talents like Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Johnson Charles, and Tom Kohler-Cadmore.
In a nod to local talent, each franchise has retained two UAE players each. These include Aditya Shetty and Alishan Sharafu (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), Ali Naseer and Tanish Suri (Desert Vipers), Haider Ali and Raja Akif (Dubai Capitals), Aayan Afzal Khan and Mohammad Zohaib Zubair (Gulf Giants), Muhammad Rohid Khan and Muhammad Waseem (MI Emirates), and Junaid Siddique and Muhammad Jawadullah (Sharjah Warriors).
With the player retention phase concluded, the focus now shifts to the ongoing Player Acquisition Window, which will remain open until 15 September. Each franchise is expected to sign a minimum of two additional UAE players to complete their quota of four UAE signings following the ILT20 Development Tournament in October.
Retained Players for DP World ILT20 Season 3:
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Aditya Shetty, Ali Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Andre Russell, Andries Ghous, Charith Asalanka, David Willey, Joe Clarke, Laurie Evans, Micheal Pepper, Sunil Narine.
Desert Vipers: Adam Hose, Alex Hales, Ali Naseer, Azam Khan, Bas de Leede, Luke Wood, Micheal Jones, Muhammad Amir, Nathan Sowter, Sherfane Rutherford, Tanish Suri, Wanindu Hasaranga.
Dubai Capitals: Dasun Shanaka, David Warner, Dushmantha Chameera, Haider Ali, Raja Akif, Rovman Powell, Sam Billings, Sikandar Raza, Zahir Khan, Jake Fraser McGurk, Oliver Stone.
Gulf Giants: Aayan Afzal Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Chris Jordan, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gerhard Erasmus, Jamie Overton, James Vince, Jamie Smith, Jordan Cox, Mohammad Zohaib Zubair, Rehan Ahmed, Richard Gleeson, Shimron Hetmyer.
MI Emirates: Akeal Hosein, Andre Fletcher, Daniel Mousley, Dwayne Bravo, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Jordan Thompson, Kieron Pollard, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Muhammad Waseem, Nicholas Pooran, Nosthush Kenjige, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Waqar Salamkheil.
Sharjah Warriors: Dilshan Madushanka, Johnson Charles, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah, Kusal Mendis, Luke Wells, Peter Hatzoglou, Tom Kohler-Cadmore.
As the league gears up for another thrilling season, the retention of such high-caliber players promises exciting matches and high-octane cricket action for fans across the UAE.
