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The Spiceman from Grenada. The pioneer of the no-look six. The T20 great. MI Emirates’ very own. And someone we just weren’t letting go of. Andre Fletcher drew a record bid to become the most-expensive player at the ILT20 Auction and came back to the Blue and Gold, a side he’s tasted a lot of success with. Here he is, in an exclusive interview with miemirates.com, talking about everything under the sun as he readies up for the December homecoming..&nbsp;&nbsp;It’s great having you back, Andre! Where and how were you tracking the auction? How were the nerves? And how sure were you of MI Emirates going all out to buy you back?This is my family. I have been with them for the last three years since the beginning. It is always a pleasure playing for MIE and the guys.&nbsp;I knew from my agent that Dubai Capitals were interested. But honestly, I had no idea of the amount I got picked up for. When it reached a stage when it looked like the Capitals would get me, I just told my wife, ‘Please, please, I want to go to MIE’. Not that I have anything against them (Capitals), but because of the comfort of me being around the guys at MI Emirates and playing with them for the last three years, I was just hoping that MIE go for one more bid. When the auctioneer said, ‘going once, going twice, sold to MIE’, I literally jumped and we started screaming.&nbsp;&nbsp;Becoming the highest paid player in the ILT20 Auction must have given you a huge sense of satisfaction in all that you have achieved in the past and the value you bring into the team, right? I must say, money is not a big deal for me. I am very grateful for the money and the achievement, but I always bank on what I can bring to whatever team I get selected for. It’s all about the trust that the owners have in me, and it’s just for me to go with that on and off the field while making people around me comfortable as possible. As a team, the main goal is to win titles. But to win titles, it doesn’t always boil down to what you do on the field. It is off the field as well. MI Emirates has created an environment where players are comfortable and with my personality, I try to make people happy and be happy for each other’s success. That’s my main objective. As much as I am happy for being the highest paid player in the Auction, but I see more beyond the money.&nbsp;&nbsp;Let’s talk about your 96* against Desert Vipers in the previous season. You were coming back into the team and that massive win helped MIE improve their NRR immensely and thereby make it into the playoffs. Where do you rate that among your top knocks?It’s my highest score in the ILT20. It came after not playing a few games. I was just happy getting the opportunity to come back and make a statement. Not just for me, even for Tom (Banton) who was in great form. The way he was striking the ball and getting his second century, it was just a great feeling. I felt like I had got that hundred. That is how I feel every single team player should be. They should be happy for each other. I was just happy to contribute and be in that partnership.&nbsp;&nbsp;MIE have managed to retain and buy back a large chunk of their core for this season. As one of the senior pros in the team, what are your thoughts on how the way the squad has shaped up?We have a very strong team, well balanced with experience and youth. We all know what the likes of (Nicholas) Pooran and (Kieron) Pollard can bring to the table. With the experience of a Pollard with the amount of titles he has won, and the talent of Pooran, we know gifted he is, I am happy to be on their side and not have to face them. Our side is well balanced. We have defensive and attacking bowlers. Our batters are very destructive and equally skillful as well. Kamindu (Mendis) for instance, we know how good he is when spin is concerned. They are very good at improvising as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;You are one of those rare cricketers to have made it big from Grenada. You’ve put it on the map, and the no-look sixes a lot of players now hit has its origins in Grenada. Tell us something about the country and the cricketing culture there..We are known for our spices. If you ask anyone in the Caribbean about Grenada, the first thing they will tell you is about our spices. Cinnamon, cloves. We’ve got plenty of waterfalls, beautiful beaches, springs, it’s a country where if you are into nature, you will enjoy my country. You just have to be fit (laughs) because you’ll have to do a lot of hiking. Our people, we are very friendly. They will ensure you have the best time of your life. If I’m not wrong, we have the lowest crime rate as well.&nbsp;We have plenty of cricketing talent.&nbsp; Before myself we had Junior Murray, who was a keeper-batter for the West Indies. We had Devon Smith. We had Rawl Lewis, a leg-spinner. Nelon Pascal was a fast bowler for the West Indies. Teddy (Bishop) is a young cricketer. Last year one of the guys, Johann Jeremiah, made the CPL teams. So we have talent. As far as infrastructure is concerned, we don’t have much of that. We don’t have an indoor facility. If there is rain around, we can’t really practice. I hope that can get better, but we aren’t short of talent.&nbsp;&nbsp;So growing up in Grenada, what did a regular day in the life of Andre Fletcher look like?In my village, there were a lot of young children going up and we used to play a lot of cricket. Sometimes using a doll head as a ball. We would melt plastic and make it into a ball. My elder brother, Danny Charles, was a very competitive individual. Me growing up was a bit hard because when we played on the road, as a batter, I was never aggressive, which is strange now looking back. I would just block and block and block. I had a very good defence. But my brother started getting frustrated and kept throwing the ball to my head. He would keep telling me to be aggressive and hit shots. So in order to not get hit, I started playing shots, to make him not feel comfortable. That’s where I got my aggressive mindset from.&nbsp;I have another brother, Shane Charles, who was leg-spinner. Cricket runs in my blood. My mother was a cricketer as well. My sister, Sherry Fletcher ran in the Beijing Olympics. My entire family is sports oriented. It was just on me to continue from where my parents and elder brothers left.&nbsp;But it wasn’t easy. I had to literally walk with the cricket bag on my shoulder for ten to fifteen minutes up a hill to get to the main road to then find transport to get to the ground. Every single day, this is what my routine would look like. I would walk to school as well. All the walking was part of my fitness (laughs). But it has paid off now. It was a lot of sacrifices, my mom and my brothers were very supportive of me.&nbsp;&nbsp;In that huge sporting house, how did the love for cooking come about?I enjoy cooking. My dad was a chef. So I kind of grew into an environment of food. My grandmother was a baker. My mom now and then keeps baking as well. Had it not been for cricket, I would have been a chef.&nbsp;I love Indian food a lot. Even in Grenada, we have an Indian restaurant and we go there a lot, me and my family. Butter chicken masala is my favourite. I can have it every day.&nbsp;&nbsp;We have to talk about the 2024 ILT20 season. You played a major role in the team’s victory run, with a solid fifty in the final as well. What are your memories of that year and what did it mean for you to win a title with MI Emirates?&nbsp;It was a great feeling, really. Some may think we were favourites, but I think the odds were against us. An MI team being in the final, the history of being so successful, we were under pressure of going into the big game. It was an excellent game. I was under a lot of pressure as well. But because of the experience of Pollard and Pooran coming in, it was just a matter of me putting away ego and playing the situation as it was. We had a good total. It was just a matter of us going out there and then finishing it off with the ball.&nbsp;It all boils down to the team environment. The back room staff did an excellent job. It helped us players just execute and do what we were paid to do. I can tell you, whenever I go out to play, I know for a fact, I feel like there is nothing outside of the cricket. You never feel like there is anything other than cricket that your mind is on. The manager, the physios, the trainers, the media personnel, ensure that the player is in the right mindset to go there and play cricket for the fans. That is what makes us a success.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Interview | “Please, please, I want to go back to MIE”: Andre Fletcher while watching the ILT20 Auction

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Ahead of the Season 4 of the International League T20 (ILT20), MI Emirates have added the powerful, destructive, a power-house match-winner - Kieron Pollard and the aggressive, explosive, hard-hitting, and stylish Nicholas Pooran as Wildcards.&nbsp;A cornerstone to the #OneFamily, Kieron Pollard, has lifted the ILT20 trophy in 2024, adding to his five IPL titles, two Champions League T20 trophies and two Major League Cricket (MLC) trophies. One of the most brilliant minds in world cricket, beyond his 18 T20 titles – the most by any player, his presence in the dressing room as a player is immense and the passion that he brings to be team, is unmatched.Nicholas Pooran, on the other hand, adds the flair and dynamism to the MI Emirates line up, having won the ILT20 trophy in 2024 along with two MLC titles with MI New York in 2023 and 2025 respectively. One of the best players currently to watch in world cricket, Pooran has, for the past three seasons, given the MI Emirates fans a reason to celebrate every year.As the team roster is completed for the season ahead, the coaching staff and the players will soon begin pre-season and set sights on regaining ILT20 glory.

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WILDCARD SIGNINGS: Say hello to our ledges - Pollard and Pooran!! 

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&nbsp;Schedule – checked. Retentions – checked. Auction – checked. Tickets – let’s check this as well.&nbsp;Yep, the chance to don the Blue and Gold as you cheer for the MI Emirates is officially here. With less than 45 days left for the Desert Carnival to kick off, it’s time for you to chalk out your plans, align your friends and family, bring out that jersey, and grab your tickets. Quick, <a href="https://tickets.ilt20.ae/">click here</a>.Here’s MI Emirates’ schedule to help you plan:&nbsp;4 December – Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates – 6:30pm local time, Dubai7 December – Sharjah Warriorz vs MI Emirates – 2:00pm local time, Sharjah9 December – MI Emirates vs Desert Vipers – 6:30pm local time, Abu Dhabi11 December – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs MI Emirates – 6:30pm local time, Abu Dhabi14 December – MI Emirates vs Sharjah Warriorz – 2:00pm local time, Abu Dhabi17 December – Dubai Capitals vs MI Emirates – 6:30pm local time, Dubai20 December – MI Emirates vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – 2:00pm local time, Abu Dhabi21 December – Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates – 6:30pm local time, Dubai23 December – MI Emirates vs Gulf Giants – 6:30pm local time, Abu Dhabi27 December – MI Emirates vs Dubai Capitals – 6:30pm local time, Abu DhabiPlayoffs:30 December – Qualifier 1 (Team 1 vs Team 2) – 6:30pm local time, Abu Dhabi1 January – Eliminator (Team 3 vs Team 4) – 6:30pm local time, Dubai2 January – Qualifier 2 (Loser of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Eliminator) – 6:30pm local time, Sharjah4 January – Final (Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2) – 6:30pm local time, Dubai

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ILT20 Season 4 TICKETS ARE LIVE!! Grab them now…

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What a night. We had a core. We made the entire body. The MI Emirates are ready and are raring to go to do y hello! a repeat of 2024. Here’s what our squad for season 4 of the ILT20 looks like. While we'll still have a couple of wild card signings joining the mix in the days to come, for now, let’s say hello..&nbsp;<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>S.No</td><td>Player</td><td>Country</td><td>Price</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>Fazalhaq Farooqi</td><td>Afghanistan</td><td>Retained</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Tom Banton</td><td>England</td><td>Retained</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Romario Shepherd</td><td>West Indies</td><td>Retained</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Muhammad Waseem</td><td>UAE</td><td>Retained</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>AM Ghazanfar</td><td>Afghanistan</td><td>Retained</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Jonny Bairstow</td><td>England</td><td>Replacement signing</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Chris Woakes</td><td>England</td><td>Pre-signed</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Kamindu Mendis</td><td>Sri Lanka</td><td>Pre-signed</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Shakib Al Hasan</td><td>Bangladesh</td><td>40,000 USD</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Jordan Thompson</td><td>England</td><td>48,000 USD</td></tr><tr><td>11</td><td>Naveen-ul-Haq</td><td>Afghanistan</td><td>100,000 USD&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>12</td><td>Andre Fletcher</td><td>West Indies</td><td>260,000 USD</td></tr><tr><td>13</td><td>Nosthush Kenjige</td><td>USA</td><td>10,000 USD</td></tr><tr><td>14</td><td>Mohamed Shafeeq</td><td>Kuwait</td><td>10,000 USD</td></tr><tr><td>15</td><td>Zain Ul Abidin</td><td>Saudi Arabia</td><td>10,000 USD</td></tr><tr><td>16</td><td>Usman Khan</td><td>UAE</td><td>10,000 USD</td></tr><tr><td>17</td><td>Ackeem Auguste</td><td>West Indies</td><td>10,000 USD</td></tr><tr><td>18</td><td>Arab Gul</td><td>Afghanistan</td><td>10,000 USD</td></tr><tr><td>19</td><td>Tajinder Dhillon</td><td>USA</td><td>10,000 USD</td></tr><tr><td>20</td><td>Zahoor Khan</td><td>UAE</td><td>10,000 USD</td></tr><tr><td>21</td><td>Muhammad Rohid</td><td>UAE&nbsp;</td><td>140,000 USD (RTM)</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>&nbsp;

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From Fletcher breaking the bank to the late heist of Shakib - MI Emirates’ #BatchofSeason4

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20:40 GST | 22:10 IST: And that would be that. It marks the end of an iconic day with the first ever ILT20 Auction. MI Emirates had retained their core from last year, and have now spruced it up with a host of players being re-bought. A legend of the game comes home as well. Hope you had your share of fun watching and reading along. Bring on the season, already!&nbsp;Woah! Shakib Al Hasan, the legend of the game from Bangladesh, is also coming into the Blue and Gold. He's a certified champion with multiple teams in the franchise circuit, and we cannot wait for him to see him smash runs and knock over batters for fun! He comes in for 40,000 USD. &nbsp;20:10 GST | 21:50 IST: Zahoor Khan, the UAE pace warhorse, who's lit up season after season for us, is back as well for his base price of 10,000 USD. Oh, our pace attack looks very, very familiar.&nbsp;Another break. Every team has been asked to submit a list of eight players they'd like to see come back for the final round. We're in for a mouth-watering climax.&nbsp;19:20 GST | 21:00 IST: Okay, this express round is actually express. Four buys inside ten minutes and our #SquadOfSeason4 is coming about quickly:<ul><li>Usman Khan - The uncapped UAE batter is all set to rub shoulders with the best in the business. 10,000 USD.&nbsp;</li><li>Ackeem Auguste - The West Indian captain of the 2022 under-19 World Cup! This gun top-order batter comes in at his base price of 10,000 USD. What a week it's been for him - making his international debutu and getting an ILT20 contract!</li><li>Arab Gul - A mystery leggie from Afghanistan. We've seen how killer their unknown faces can be! 10,000 USD. &nbsp;</li><li>Tajinder Dhillon - After impressing everybody with his temperament at the MLC, he's back in the Blue and Gold in the desert. 10,000 USD.&nbsp;</li></ul>The final break then. We will have the Express round next, where some of the unsold players will make another appearance. We've already picked seven players and have another four to pick.&nbsp;<hr>18:10 GST | 19:40 IST: Some heartwarming bit of history being made here. Two picks in quick succession. Mohamed Shafeeq - the medium pacer from Kuwait with a bunch of variations under his sleeve - and &nbsp;Zain Ul Abidin - the wily left-arm spinner from Saudi Arabia - are all set to ply their trade with the big boys at MI Emirates. They've been picked up in the final round before the accelerated auction takes over for their base price of 10,000 USD respectively.&nbsp;17:10 GST | 18:40 IST: Who's game for some mystery spin? Beware batters, you're all set to be bamboozled. Nosthush Kenjige, another one from the Blue and Gold alumni of Emirates and New York, is back. If the tracks in the ILT20 are anything like what they were at the Asia Cup, he's going to have the time of his life! 10,000 USD for the USA wizard.&nbsp;<hr>Brings us to the end of another round, and we have a 15-minute break. Some big buys, some steals, and a lot of nostalgia. MI Emirates still have a fair bit of squad-building to do here and the next two hours should be critical.&nbsp;16:00 GST | 17:30 IST: A whopping 260,000 USD for the one and only Spiceman, our very own Andre Fletcher!! Oh there's no way we were letting go of him either. It was tense, really. Amidst multiple phone calls and long discussions, we've made sure we have more of our core still with us. He was the fulcrum over the last three years at the top of the order, and he'll continue being right there in season 4 as well. Save your heads in those grass banks at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Fletchy is all set to tonk them there all over again!&nbsp;<hr>Naveen-ul-Haq is no stranger to the MI #OneFamily. He was with the MI New York side when they won the MLC this year. He is now set to add some more Blue and Gold to his resume. Habibi, welcome to Abu Dhabi. MI Emirates saw off a bidding war from the Gulf Giants to bring him in at 100,000 USD.&nbsp;15:30 GST: Jordan Thompson - More nostalgia brimming .. the Englishman comes back into the MIE fold as well for the fourth season in a row, for a price of 48,000 USD. Trust him to light the desert up with his all-round skills!We're done with round one. We might have had just the one buy, but it's a big one. Our RTM card has been used up as well, and with the overseas players coming up next, we should be in for some serious shopping. &nbsp;14:50 GST | 16:20 IST: MUHAMMAD ROHID IS BACK HOME! At 140,000 USD, he triggered a major bidding war between the Sharjah Warriorz, Dubai Capitals and the Gulf Giants. But once it was all done, MI Emirates were just not letting him go. We've RTMed him back into the Blue and Gold. Let's have the stumps flying around, shall we!And we're live... Richard Madley, the GOAT auctioneer is on stage, ready to conduct proceedings. 291 players from 24 countries will go under his iconic hammer. Let's bring them home, Emirates Fam.&nbsp;<hr>13:45 GST | 15:15 IST: So this what MI Emirates are going in with and need:&nbsp;Purse: 800,000 USDCurrent squad includes: One UAE player, seven full member nation playersNeed to acquire:&nbsp;<ul><li>Two UAE players</li><li>One UAE under-23 player</li><li>Four full member nation players</li><li>Two players from Associate nations</li><li>One from Kuwait</li><li>One from Saudi Arabia</li></ul>In some super exciting news, JONNY is here! Yep, yep, after dazzling in the IPL playoffs with Mumbai Indians where he just kept finding boundaries for fun, the BOSSMAN, Jonny Bairstow has been drafted into the MI Emirates squad!! Woohooo!!!! He comes in as a replacement for Kusal Perera, who played a major role in our title-winning campaign in 2024. &nbsp;13:30 GST | 15:00 IST: IT’S AUCTION TIME. Selling once, selling twice, and SOLDDDD!!&nbsp;Eleven slots, 800,000 USD. It’s time to expand the #OneFamily. It’s time to build our squad for the desert carnival. This is where season 4 begins, and this is where MI Emirates’ quest to bring home their second title gets put in motion. And this blog is your space through the course of the auction, where we bring you all the hits, the misses, the joy of a new member coming home, hopefully with some fun along the way..&nbsp;

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MI Emirates @ ILT20 Season 4 Auction: Host of familiar faces back in the Blue and Gold - As it happened

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To new beginnings ..&nbsp;The Desert Carnival – our favourite ILT20 – is into its fourth year. Four times bigger. Four times better. Four times the excitement. And it all begins with here, with a historic Auction, the first ever in the league’s history.&nbsp;What: ILT20 Season 4, Mega Auction When: October 1, 2025 | 2pm GST, 3:30pm ISTWhere: DubaiMI Emirates’ purse: 800,000 USDCurrent squad includes: One UAE player, seven full member nation playersNeed to acquire:&nbsp;<ul><li>Two UAE players</li><li>One UAE under-23 player</li><li>Four full member nation players</li><li>Two players from Associate nations</li><li>One from Kuwait</li><li>One from Saudi Arabia</li></ul>Player slabs at the Auction:&nbsp;Players have been grouped into price slabs of USD 120,000, 80,000, 40,000, and 10,000. Close to 300 players from 20 countries are all set to go under the hammer.&nbsp;Excited already? As we gear up to welcome a host of players to the #OneFamily, tell us your wish list. Quick, we’re making notes!&nbsp;&nbsp;

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THE HISTORIC FIRST ILT20 AUCTION: What do MI Emirates need – All your FAQs answered 

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Right, we have details. The iconic first-ever ILT20 Auction has a slight shift in date, and would be now held on October 1, 2025. As the six teams aim to build their squads for season 4, we should be in for one cracking event. MI Emirates are absolutely pumped and we cannot wait to rebuild our squad with some new faced unearthed and a few of the older ones returning to the Blue and Gold as we storm to have a repeat of season 2.&nbsp;Here's everything you need to know:&nbsp;Date: 1st October 2025&nbsp;Time: 2pm GST | 3:30pm IST&nbsp;Location: Four Seasons Hotel, Jumeriah Beach, DubaiPurse available:&nbsp;Each franchise will have a purse of USD 800,000 to spend at the auction plus whatever spend remains unutilised from the USD 1.2M that was available for direct signings and retentions. Franchises would have to spend a minimum of 1.5 million USD to build their entire squad. Teams may also spend&nbsp;an additional USD 250,000 on as many as two Wildcard players outside the auction.Squad size:&nbsp;All franchises must have a minimum of 19 players and a maximum of 21 players by the end of the auction (excluding Wildcards). Within this there must be a minimum of 11 players from ICC Full Member countries, four from UAE, one from Kuwait, one from Saudi Arabia and two from other ICC Associate Nations.Players’ base prices:&nbsp;The minimum base price for all players is USD 10,000. Players may also have a base price of USD 40,000 or USD 80,000.Right-To-Match rules: All franchises can exercise the right to use one RTM card for one UAE player, who has been in their development squad or has played for them in Season 3 of the ILT20. Only UAE players are eligible for the RTM option.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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EXPLAINED: A new ILT20 Auction date, time, rules, purse, RTMs 

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2nd December 2025 to 4th January 2026, the desert is ready for its annual carnival. And MI Emirates are all set to bring home their second crown. Much like the first three seasons, season 4 of the DP World ILT20 promises some nail-biting action with the teams set to have a bit of a rejig as well at the first-ever Auction.&nbsp;Okay, here’s your MI Emirates schedule. Mark the dates, save your calendars, chalk out your plans to see us in the Blue and Gold ..&nbsp;4 December – Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates – 6:30pm local time, Dubai7 December – Sharjah Warriorz vs MI Emirates – 2:00pm local time, Sharjah9 December – MI Emirates vs Desert Vipers – 6:30pm local time, Abu Dhabi11 December – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs MI Emirates – 6:30pm local time, Abu Dhabi14 December – MI Emirates vs Sharjah Warriorz – 2:00pm local time, Abu Dhabi17 December – Dubai Capitals vs MI Emirates – 6:30pm local time, Dubai20 December – MI Emirates vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – 2:00pm local time, Abu Dhabi21 December – Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates – 6:30pm local time, Dubai23 December – MI Emirates vs Gulf Giants – 6:30pm local time, Abu Dhabi27 December – MI Emirates vs Dubai Capitals – 6:30pm local time, Abu DhabiPlayoffs:30 December – Qualifier 1 (Team 1 vs Team 2) – 6:30pm local time, Abu Dhabi1 January – Eliminator (Team 3 vs Team 4) – 6:30pm local time, Dubai2 January – Qualifier 2 (Loser of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Eliminator) – 6:30pm local time, Sharjah4 January – Final (Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2) – 6:30pm local time, Dubai&nbsp;

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THE FIXTURES FOR ILT20 SEASON 4 ARE HERE!! Let’s go MI Emirates….

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Selling once, selling twice, and SOLD! * applause *&nbsp;30th September 2025, save the date, for this is when the bidding wars will begin for season 4 in the first ever ILT20 Auction. Eight players have been retained or presigned, which means all teams can add another 13 players to their squads.&nbsp;“The auction is a big milestone for the league as we continue to grow as a world-class T20 tournament. The auction will be a great opportunity for our franchises to add local and international firepower to their Season 4 squads,” said DP World ILT20 CEO, David White.&nbsp;AM Ghazanfar, Chris Woakes, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Perera, Romario Shepherd, Tom Banton and Muhammad Waseem are the eight players retained/pre-signed by MI Emirates.&nbsp;The fourth season of the ILT20 will begin on UAE National Day – December 2nd – with the final set to be held in the new year, on 4th January, 2026.&nbsp;Some old faces would be back, some new ones would join the Blue and Gold. This is set to be super exciting! You don’t stay calm either, MIE Fam, tell us your dream team. We’re making notes..

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THE FIRST EVER ILT20 Auction Date: September 30, 2025!

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The fourth season of the desert carnival is nearing, and we have some news. With just over five months to go, it’s time we start building up to bring our second title home. Some new faces, many old, here are the retained and the pre-signed players for ILT20 season 4:<ol><li>AM Ghazanfar (Retained)</li><li>Fazalhaq Farooqi (Retained)</li><li>Kusal Perera (Retained)</li><li>Romario Shepherd (Retained)</li><li>Tom Banton (Retained)</li><li>Muhammad Waseem (Retained)</li><li>Chris Woakes (new signing)</li><li>Kamindu Mendis (new signing)</li></ol>Remember, we have a new window for the fourth season, from 2nd December 2025 to 4th January 2026. Let’s get the ball rolling as we build up to repeat 2024!

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Say hello to MI Emirates’ retained and pre-signed players for ILT20 season 4

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2nd December 2025 to 4th January 2026 – the fourth season of the DP World International League T20 has a new window, and we couldn’t be more excited. Commencing on the UAE National Day – Eid-Al-Etihad – and stretching through Christmas and the New Year, we are in for one big festive season in the Gulf.&nbsp;Chairman ILT20 and Vice-Chairman Emirates Cricket Board Khalid Al Zarooni said:&nbsp;“We are delighted to confirm that the DP World International League T20 Season 4 will commence on the UAE National Day – Eid-Al-Etihad – which is one of the most important days on the UAE calendar.&nbsp;“The UAE National Day is the day where we celebrate the United Arab Emirates which is home to people from around the world including millions of diehard cricket fans. It is a real honour for us to join the nation in the UAE National Day 2025 celebrations with the launch of the region’s biggest T20 league – the DP World ILT20 Season 4, on the same day.”&nbsp;CEO DP World ILT20 David White said:&nbsp;“Following extensive discussions with all our stakeholders, we believe the 2 December 2025 to 4 January 2026 tournament window is ideal for the DP World International League T20 Season 4. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup begins in early February hence it was important for us to start and finish Season 4 well before the tournament as it will allow the players playing both the DP World ILT20 and the T20 World Cup to prepare for national duty. In addition, we feel that the December-January window will provide the teams’ the best opportunity to access a bigger pool of players.”Although with some amazing memories, the third season of the ILT20 was a mixed bag for MI Emirates, marching into the playoffs, but then bowing out in the Eliminator. 2024 is still fresh though. The images of Nicholas Pooran and our boys in Blue and Gold lift the coveted trophy induce major goosebumps.&nbsp;Let’s bring it home in 2026!&nbsp;

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ANNOUNCED: 2nd December 2025 to 4th January 2026, ILT20 Season 4 is here! 

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It wasn't meant to be :(It was a disappointing end to a campaign that promised so much. MI Emirates had their moments right through the league stage, moments of players stepping up and putting on a show, moments of our team spirit coming through as we pulled home in tense finishes, moments of joy for all our fans around the globe. While this Eliminator might have been our last outing in this year’s ILT20, we can hold our heads high for all the fight and the entertainment MI Emirates put up over the last month.&nbsp;Head Coach, Robin Singh, summed up the tournament, “It was a mix. Some of the players played well. Few guys were consistent. The bowling was good in patches. It was a continuation of both good and bad. You have to play well in the big games and the big moments, which we didn’t do today,” he said at the post-match press conference on Thursday (February 6).&nbsp;With Tom Banton becoming the highest run-scorer this year, Nicholas Pooran leading the troops brilliantly, the fast bowlers forming an amazing unit and complementing each other brilliantly, the positives were there for everyone to see.&nbsp;“I think Fazalhaq Farooqi bowled really well for us. Last year we had (Trent) Boulty and Dwayne Bravo, they were the more experienced guys. So he took on that. Tom Banton was exceptional as well. Nicholas played well. Zahoor actually bowled really well. The UAE boys did far better than what people would have expected. This exposure would have been good for them,” said Robin.&nbsp;We will be back stronger. It hurts to have not defended our crown, but the Blue and Gold army will return in 2026 with a vengeance. This is MI team. We are MI Emirates.&nbsp;

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Wasn't meant to be, but thank you for the entertainment, MI Team, MI Emirates

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The big-hitting England all-rounder, Will Jacks, is all set to join MI Emirates for the remainder of the 2025 season of the ILT20 as a wild card signing.&nbsp;A dynamite with the willow and a handy off-spinner, this 26-year-old has racked up over 5,000 T20 runs with a jaw-dropping strike rate of 157+ in addition to picking more than 50 wickets. Furthermore, he can prove to be indomitable in powerplays, a true game-changer we can count on. Add his wicket-taking knack with the ball and you’ve got an all-round gem.As we enter the playoffs with the Eliminator (February 6) against the Sharjah Warriorz, Abu Dhabi is all set to witness some extra firepower!&nbsp;

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Will Jacks: Welcome MI Emirates’ Wild Card signing

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We tried, we fought, we gave it our all, but it wasn’t to be. MI Emirates, the defending champions, will bow out of this year’s ILT20. It wasn’t our best game with the bat. But the bowlers refused to throw in the towel. The Sharjah Warriorz needed 23 runs off 24 balls at one stage, but through some superb death bowling, it was brought down to 20 being needed off 14. Alas..&nbsp;Skipper Pooran’s Captain’s knockAfter Andre Fletcher fell in the first over, Will Jacks, making his MI Emirates debut and Tom Banton, the man in form, got together to steady the ship with useful contributions. But the biggest impetus to the innings came in the form of skipper Nicholas Pooran’s stroke-filled 22-ball 42, with six fours and a six. However, after he fell in the 13th over, the rest of the batters couldn’t quite give the MI Emirates innings that finish, ending with an under-par 146/8.&nbsp;Rohid, Farooqi help claw back&nbsp;The Warriorz were off to a quick start, getting to 49 inside the fifth over when Muhammad Rohid struck to send back Jonshon Charles. Fazalhaq Farooqi, coming in as the impact substitute, got rid of the other opener, Tom Kohler-Cadmore. Together, the two bowed the 17th and the 18th overs of the innings as well, conceding just nine runs to ensure the asking rate went beyond seven an over.&nbsp;It wasn’t to be!Tim Seifert killed it with three fours and a six in the span of seven balls. While the pressure was building with every dot ball, Seifert took control in the 18th over, kept the strike for the 19th, and took his side home.&nbsp;

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MIEvSW report: A super fightback in the end, but alas, it ends here! :(

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It really was some debut. A wicket off the first ball he bowled, six wickets for just 12 runs, the best IPL bowling figures till date, and a key figure in an epic 2019 for Mumbai Indians. Alzarri Joseph is currently plying his trade at MI Emirates in the ILT20, a tournament he’s lighting up as well with his fiery spells. Here he is, in an exclusive chat with miemirates.com, speaking about that&nbsp;debut, sharing the dressing room with legends, his growth into becoming an all-format bowler, his pace and much more. Excerpts..&nbsp;Your spell of 6/12 in the 2019 IPL season is still a part of MI folklore. They still happen to be the best bowling figures in IPL history. What are your memories of that day and how it happened?Oh I remember that day. It was my IPL debut and it was a very special day for me considering the end result was also a win. The thing that stands for me about that day was that I took a wicket off the first ball. It was David Warner, a very important wicket in the context of that game. He was one of their top batters who could’ve taken the game away from us. That opened the game for us and set the tone for the rest of my spell. There was a lot of celebration and I got a lot of congratulations. I wasn’t aware it was a record until after the game. But it was a very good feeling to have everyone rally around you in the first game in a big franchise like Mumbai Indians.&nbsp;That 2019 season was a special one for MI. Although you got injured midway, you played a key role in the team reaching the playoffs. How do you look back at that year?It was very good to contribute to a title-winning season. I played three games but all in all, to be a part of it, to see it happen. I got the injury but I stayed along until the end of the season and celebrated with the guys as well. It was really good to be a part of that. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;How was it like to share the dressing room with Lasith Malinga and Jasprit Bumrah, two of the greatest bowlers in T20 history?It was electric to see how these guys work. Malinga is Malinga, he’s the best at what he does. If you look at Bumrah, there’s not much you can say about him that’s not legendary. He’s just an all-time great. You get to watch these guys and pick up a few things. It was a good learning curve for me at that time and that age to take that experience into my game.&nbsp;At MI Emirates now, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Muhammad Rohid and you have been a formidable trio with the ball, often sharing the spoils amongst yourselves. A word on them and how the three of you complement each other?We are three different types of bowlers. The other two are two left-handers but different types of bowlers. Farooqi is exceptional with the new ball. He swings the ball both ways, bowls a bouncer if you’re looking for it and also has a lethal yorker with the new and old ball. Myself, whenever I get an opportunity to bowl in the powerplay, I just try and hit my lengths and get whatever help is available. I try and be aggressive and take early wickets. Rohid, well, is an exceptional talent. I watch him in practice every day and he practices as hard as he trains. I admire that about him. In the games he has played so far, he is always coming at you. Even if you hit him a few times, he’s still coming at you. That’s a really good attitude to have and I just love how he goes about his work.&nbsp;Nicholas Pooran is someone you’ve played with for a long time and have seen grow into the batting legend that he is today. How do you see his growth as both a player and a leader?If you’ve been following Pooran from the start, he was very raw and explosive. Now, he’s grown in batsmanship. He’s become mature, taken responsibility in his batting. For example, against Gulf Giants, he was seven off 21 and waited for the right moment to go big and bring the game home for us. That’s really good to see how he’s matured. As a leader he goes on instinct most times. He would get a gut feeling like, ‘okay, let’s bring Farooqi on, he’s going to open the game for us’. And it happens correctly 80 percent of the time. I don’t know how he does it but it works most times.&nbsp;You are one of the rare bowlers who plays all three formats regularly in international cricket. What is the secret sauce?For me, what I have in my favour, is that my action is very simple. My run-up is very simple and not strenuous on my body. So for me, it is not about strength, it is about taking the momentum from my action to the crease. So it is a lot easier for me to go on for longer. It is easier for me to switch between formats. It goes down to the foundation I put in into my strength and conditioning for many years. It’s now just about topping up and ensuring I recover properly after every game to be ready for the next one.&nbsp;And the secret behind you hitting 145kph consistently over long spells?I can’t tell you (laughs). I have no idea. To be fair, I don’t think I was always bowling this quick. I was reasonably quick at some point, but I don’t think I was this consistent. It could just be playing the longer format for so long, that action being repeated all the time and everything being consistent. So it just has to do with my action being consistent.&nbsp;

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EXCLUSIVE Interview | Alzarri Joseph on Pooran, Bumrah, Farooqi and much more…

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Talk about quick redemption. The team we lost to in our final league stage, a loss that denied us a top two finish, is the team we are facing in this Eliminator. It was a game for us to forget, and guess what, we have a chance to put that behind us immediately.&nbsp;The road now is simple. While MI Emirates were left in a bit of suspense after the last league game, the task at hand is crystal clear now. We have three games, each one’s a knockout. There are no retakes. The Sharjah Warriorz, a team Tom Banton absolutely loves (courtesy a century and an 84 in the two games), are up in front. They are in our backyard, in our home ground. Oh, bring it on!&nbsp;What: MI Emirates vs Sharjah WarriorzWhen: February 6, 2025 | 18:30 local time, 20:00 ISTWhere: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu DhabiWhat to expect: What a knockout game does is bring in the pressure. But knowing our free-flowing batters, they barely know that word. We are motivated, we are aggressive, and we are coming for that title!&nbsp;

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Eliminator | MIEvSW preview: What we need: Three Ws, and an instant redemption

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Tom Banton, with his knock of 84 against the Sharjah Warriorz, has become the highest run-scorer in this year’s ILT20. Although he had another fantastic outing with the bat, MI Emirates had a game they’d quickly like to move on from and put behind them. He was out at the post-match press conference sharing his thoughts. Excerpts..&nbsp;Thoughts on the game&nbsp;The day didn’t go as well as we’d have liked. Towards the end they bowled really well. Tim Southee bowled a really good last over. Sometimes you have to say well done to them. Disappointing day for us but we’ve qualified. It was something we said at the start of the tournament, and we have a chance to win the trophy again.&nbsp;On becoming the highest run-scorer in this year’s ILT20I’m not thinking too far, hopefully try and win this tournament for MIE. Taking each game as it comes and don’t want to get too far ahead of myself. I just want to contribute to us winning.&nbsp;On the race for the playoffs&nbsp;Everyone still is in with a chance to qualify which is quite exciting for the league. We are through and am not sure if we are second, third or fourth at the moment. It depends on how the rest of the results go.&nbsp;Whether the team was complacent going into this gameDefinitely not. Other people are allowed to play well. It wasn’t to be for us today, but we’ve got a big week coming up with the final a week from today, so hopefully we’ll be there.&nbsp;

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“Disappointed, but sometimes you have to say well done to the opposition”: Tom Banton

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Nope, not the best of outings on the field for us. A few dropped chances, a couple of mishaps and a game we’d like to put behind us quickly as we brace up for the playoffs. It’s not a major worry, we have qualified for the playoffs already and would have to wait until tomorrow for the other results to know if we happen to be in the top two. Let’s relive this game for now..Waseem, Perera smash it around&nbsp;After being put in to bat first, Andre Fletcher fell to a run-out pretty early, but then his fellow opener Muhammad Waseem carried on his good form from the previous game with an 18-ball 21. Kusal Perera, who’s been a bit quiet with the bat by his own standards so far, roared back in style with a 23-ball 31, giving MI Emirates a solid start.&nbsp;Banton vs Sharjah Warriors – Another masterclass&nbsp;After his scintillating century the last time these two sides met, he put on another show. Six fours, five sixes and a 51-ball 84 against his name. He almost single-handedly carried the team in the last ten overs to put up a total of 173.&nbsp;An off day on the field&nbsp;On a pitch that was a belter, this target was a tad under par. It didn’t help that we weren’t at our best in our fielding either. Tom Kohler-Cadmore batted superbly for his 91, Jason Roy and Matthew Wade provided good support, and the Warriorz chased down the target.&nbsp;Let’s quickly regroup and ready up. We will be playing our first play-off game in a couple of days. Let’s get the MIE spirit going!

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MIEvSW report: Another Banton special, but a day to forget and move on

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The job at hand is clear. With ten points and a net run-rate of +1.028, we are currently sitting pretty on the second spot, and a playoff spot should be ours unless there’s some major upset. But why even leave things to chance. We have our fate in our control. Let’s bring home a W, thereby get a Q&nbsp;against our name, and a place in the top two as well to ensure two bites at the cherry.&nbsp;The Sharjah Warriorz, who are on eight points are up next. The last time we met them, Tom Banton’s century got us home in a hurry. They would be desperate to win this as well, which should guarantee them a playoff spot. But with two wins on the trot now, we have the momentum and we are all set to get on a roll in the business end.&nbsp;What: MI Emirates vs Sharjah Warriorz&nbsp;When: February 2, 2025 | 14:00 local time, 15:30 IST&nbsp;Where: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu DhabiWhat to expect: Another fierce content. With everything to play for, expect fireworks with both bat and ball.&nbsp;

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Match 10 | MIEvSW preview: Not just a Q, let’s seal a top two finish as well 

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In a chase of 173, the start was always going to be key for the MI Emirates. Muhammad Waseem, who’d had a quiet tournament so far by his own admission, took it upon himself to get the team off to a flier tonight, which he did with a 10-ball 26. He was at the post-match press-conference talking about his batting, UAE cricket, the playoffs. Excerpts..&nbsp;On his inningsI felt like I got starts in all matches. But I kept getting out in unlucky ways. But it is important that the team kept winning. I’m happy with the way I batted today.&nbsp;Reasons behind his lack of runs in earlier gamesThe pitches have been good. ILT20 is among the top leagues in the world and the bowling has been top class. You could say I didn’t play all that well this year, but I feel I would play well in the important matches to come.&nbsp;Thoughts on the impact of ILT20 on UAE cricketIt is a proud moment for all our UAE players and the team. Our players get to share the dressing room and learn from the big players from around the world. I have learnt a lot from (Nicholas) Pooran and (Kieron) Pollard.&nbsp;On wanting to finish in the top twoWe have 10 points and have a good net run-rate. We will look to finish in the top two. The plan is simple, we just have to stick to it. At one point it looked like we were nowhere in the game, but we won with five balls to spare.&nbsp;On the local UAE players&nbsp;There is very good talent in the UAE. There are some good players on the bench as well. They’ll hopefully come through next year.&nbsp;

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“Felt like I got starts in all games, happy to have done well today”: Muhammad Waseem

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Nothing ever, NOTHING EVER looks impossible when you have Nicholas Pooran out in the middle. Calm, calculated, never to give up, he took us across the finish line, putting MI Emirates right at the cusp of a playoff berth. Let’s go chronologically.&nbsp;A complete bowling effortAlthough James Vince got a solid 86, our bowlers did a superb job to keep the rest of the batters in check, eventually only allowing the Gulf Giants to get to 173, a par score on this surface. Only five bowlers were used and each of them were among the wickets.&nbsp;The perfect start with the bat, ft. WaseemMuhammad Waseem got MI Emirates off to a flier, with two fours and two sixes in his 10-ball 26. Andre Fletcher too laid the platform with 31, but at 71/4 in the 11th over, we were in a spot of bother.&nbsp;The Nicky P showWith the asking rate mounting, he didn’t have the luxury of getting himself in. But he didn’t need to. He’s in some fine form at the moment, and tonight, more than his shots, it was the way he played the field and the situation that stood out. With debutant Bevon Jacobs for company, he rebuilt the innings. 84 were needed off the last six overs, a steep task.&nbsp;The Windies go wild!Romario Shepherd soon walked out with Bevon holing out. 13 came off the 15th over, 17 came off the 16th, 17 came off the 17th, 12 off the 18th and 19 off the 19th. 19.1: A massive slog over deep mid-wicket, and VICTORY WAS OURS. The heartbreak from the previous game had been avenged!

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GGvMIE report: Game. Set. Match. Pooran aces a thriller!

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We have news, folks. Bevan John Jacobs, the big-hitting Kiwi middle-order batter &nbsp;is all set to join the MI Emirates for the remainder of the ILT20 2025 season.&nbsp;He made headlines a few months earlier when he was picked up by Mumbai Indians at the IPL Auction, and then soon made his way into the New Zealand T20I squad against Sri Lanka as well. He’s coming in on the back of some big runs under his belt and is going to love joining this power-packed middle-order.He hit a magnificent 20-ball 42 on his debut for Canterbury in the Super Smash 2023-24 curtain raiser. Almost a year later, he registered fifties in both innings of his maiden First-Class match for Auckland.He also has a T20 century to his name. The 22-year-old scored 100 off 40 balls for South Brisbane against Toombull on the final day of the Queensland T20 Max 2023-24 competition.Kieron Pollard, our warrior, who’s played a major role in our campaign over the last three years, is heading home owing to some personal reasons. We thank him and are charged up to lift the trophy for the big man!

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Bevan John joins MI Emirates for remainder of ILT20 2025

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It’s heating up. With just three days to go in the league stage, we still have three playoff spots up for grabs. Three teams are on six points, two are on eight. &nbsp;There’s everything to play for!&nbsp;The sub-plot within this plot is what happened the last time when MI Emirates and the Gulf Giants faced each other. Sparks flew, the action was gripping, there was a bit of sportsmanship on display, but we ended up losing the game off the final ball. We have enough to avenge. We also have a top two spot to stake claim. And it begins now.&nbsp;What: Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates&nbsp;When: January 31, 2025 | 18:30 GST, 20:00 IST&nbsp;Where: Dubai International Stadium, Dubai&nbsp;What to expect: Another nail-biter of a contest with both sides having plenty to play for. We are coming off a historic 154-run win and we cannot wait to carry on with this momentum..&nbsp;

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Match 9 | GGvMIE preview: Time to fix the last-ball heartbreak and book a playoff spot

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A 198-run stand doesn’t happen every day. Andre Fletcher, back in the team after missing out on the last few games, stamped his presence in the side immediately, sending the opposition bowlers on a leather hunt. He was at the post-match press conference sharing his thoughts. Excerpts..&nbsp;On his record partnership with Tom BantonHonestly, I had no idea. We were trying to run as hard as possible between the wickets and make use of the boundary option when it came. I am super happy for Tom Banton, the way he played. It just shows that he is very consistent and is sticking to his strengths. I am very happy to be contributing as well. We have to continue from strength to strength. It is not over.&nbsp;On the conversations while batting in the middleWe were talking to each other. There is a big side and a small side to this ground. We were trying to run as much as possible when it went to the big side and put them under pressure. They haven’t been a good fielding team so that helped. It’s all about sticking to our strength as well. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.&nbsp;Thoughts on being dropped after the first two games&nbsp;It’s all about combinations. I played the first game and it all about what is best for the team. That never dampened my spirit. I always know that once anyone goes out and performs for MI Emirates, everyone would be happy for them. I got the opportunity and I performed today. I wouldn’t say I got dropped. No one in the team got dropped. It is about doing what is best for the team.On missing out on a centuryIt would have been nice to get it. But at the end of the day, I did what the team required. Batting as deep as possible, that is what matters. Maybe one day it could be me again, you never know. I just look to enjoy the moment.&nbsp;On the conditions on offerIt wasn’t easy. The ball was doing a bit upfront. It was about trying to bat as long as possible, pickup singles when necessary and then capitalize on the bad balls. We realize the longer we bat, especially in Abu Dhabi, a set batter puts the other team under pressure. It is our home ground and we had to make use of our conditions, and we did just that.&nbsp;On winning the battle against Mohammad AmirWe all know he is a class bowler. Some days you get it wrong, some days you get it right. Unfortunately, it was on the bad side for him. As a batter, I was happy. When he gets it right, we know how difficult he can be to play.On Abu Dhabi being a second home&nbsp;T10 is being played here as well. I am lucky to be playing T10 every season. I have an idea about the wicket but that doesn’t mean that I can just go out and fire. It is all about the conditions. Some days it might be different, so you just have to assess and then accelerate.&nbsp;

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“Super happy for Tom Banton”: Andre Fletcher on the record batting stand

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The Desert Vipers are on a roll. They’ve won six out of their seven games. Taming them would be the best possible way to put yesterday’s last-ball heartbreak behind us. The last time these two sides met, Sherfane Rutherford’s cameo at the end and Fakhar Zaman’s half-century steered the Vipers home in Dubai. This time they come over to our territory. They run into a team that’s on a mission to turn things around after a couple of tough losses. &nbsp;There have been a lot of positives for MI Emirates in these first seven games. All our batters have stepped up in different games, and the likes of Dan Mousley and Tom Banton have announced their arrival. With the likes of Sam Curran, Lockie Ferguson, Wanindu Hasaranga in the opposition, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t brace up for another thriller.&nbsp;What: MI Emirates vs Desert Vipers&nbsp;When: January 27, 2025 | 18:30 GST, 20:00 IST Where: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi&nbsp; What to expect: More fireworks. This season has produced a bunch of nail-biters already. While the trend for captains winning the toss is to bat first, Gulf Giants winning while chasing yesterday seems to have bucked that trend too. Should be a fascinating game.&nbsp;

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