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The Blue and Gold versus the Purple and Gold. Across three leagues over three different continents, this rivalry always has fans glued in, having produced some of iconic clashes over the last many years. Well, the MI Emirates fans have been through a rollercoaster of emotions over the last two games: the high of the last over defence against the Sharjah Warriorz, followed by the last-ball heartbreak against the Desert Vipers.&nbsp;ADKR are in similar waters, with one win in three games. The Zayed Cricket Stadium is a place both teams know really well. The pitch in the previous game had something in it for everybody and ensured a wonderful contest between bat and ball. The stakes have been raised in a game both teams would be desperate to get two points out of.&nbsp;&nbsp;What: MI Emirates vs AD Knight Riders&nbsp;When: December 11, 2025 | 6:30pm local time, 8:00pm ISTWhere: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi&nbsp;What to expect: A clash of West Indian firepower, with Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran and Romario Shepherd going up against Andre Russell, Sunil Narine and Jason Holder. Grab your popcorn tubs!&nbsp;

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Match 4 | MIEvADKR preview: Two teams with similar campaigns, one epic Abu Dhabi derby

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It's never a nice feeling being on the wrong side of a one-run defeat. Tom Banton set the platform with a 29-ball 34, but sadly, it wasn't enough to get us home. But he stressed on the importance of taking lessons out of this game and moving on quickly in the post-match chat. Excerpts..On ending up on the wrong side at the end&nbsp;It is a tough one to take. Throughout the whole game it swung both ways. Tough one to take. The games come thick and fast, we’ve got one day after tomorrow. We have to learn from our mistakes and try and move on.&nbsp;Thoughts on the pitch&nbsp;We were chatting with a few English lads and everyone seemed to think it was a good wicket. But every batter kind of struggled, which is sometimes how it goes. Disappointing for us, but we have to take it and move on.&nbsp;On playing with some big names&nbsp;I’m playing here with Nicky P (Pooran) and Polly (Kieron Pollard), guys I have watched growing up. Obviously to be at the other end to those guys is pretty cool. When you play other teams, there are the English guys you don’t want to get out to.&nbsp;On the weather in the UAE at the moment&nbsp;I can’t complain. In England it is one or two degrees and it’s raining. I’m very happy to be here.&nbsp;

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“We’ll learn quickly and move on”: Tom Banton after one-run heartbreak 

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Heartbreaks are bad enough, but this one’s hit us just when we thought we had it in our grasp. From an impossible-looking situation, we were right back in the boss chair. Alas. It wasn’t to be. MI Emirates fell short, by one run.&nbsp;MI Emirates needed 16 to win off the final over with just two wickets in hand. It soon boiled down to 12 off three. Rashid Khan was on strike.&nbsp;19.4: A slower short ball. Rashid swiveled and pulled way over mid-wicket for a SIX19.5: A high full toss. Rashid swings, gets an under-edge and the keeper misfields. FOUR19.6: 2 off 1 now. MIE could smell the two points. But Khuzaima Tanveen bowls a slower ball outside off. Rashid had already backed away. He swings, misses, tries to sneak in a bye, but the keeper nails a direct hit catching Allah Ghazanfar short. It wasn’t to be ..&nbsp;Excellent defensive bowling to keep the Vipers to 158MI Emirates’ bowlers had the Desert Vipers in a fix in the middle overs, just not allowing them to get away. Fakhar Zaman got a 31-ball 35, Max Holden had to retire out for a 37-ball 42, and in the end, the strategy to hold Rashid Khan back until the end paid off big time.&nbsp;The Pollard-Dhillon impetus&nbsp;Although Tom Banton and Muhammad Waseem stitched together a 42-run stand for the second wicket, and then Nicholas Pooran and Banton got a 42-run stand for the third wicket, it was the 13-ball 23 from captain Polly, along with a seven-ball blitz of 17 from Tajinder Dhillon that got the MI Emirates back in the game firmly. Sadly, wickets kept tumbling, and we fell just short. Just!&nbsp;

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MIEvDV report: By the barest of margins … :(

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It’s always lovely to come home after two games on the road. And we’re here for a bit with three matches on the bounce. If you haven’t recovered from the mad heist against the Warriorz, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Allah Ghazanfar’s bamboozling spell, Romario Shepherd’s yorkers and the MIE Spirit on full display – oh, we couldn’t have asked for a better way to pick up first points.&nbsp;On that high note, we come home. With a loud Blue and Gold army behind us, trust Captain Pollard and Co. to take it up a notch. The Desert Vipers are coming on the back of back to back wins, both while chasing. In the six games that the two teams have played so far, both have won three each. Noor Ahmad vs Ghazanfar, Fakhar Zaman vs Jonny Bairstow, Kieron Pollard vs Sam Curran. There are plenty of fascinating rivalries within to build up for one grand contest.&nbsp;What:&nbsp;MI Emirates vs Desert Vipers&nbsp;When:&nbsp;December&nbsp;9, 2025 | 6:30pm local time, 8:00pm IST&nbsp;Where:&nbsp;Zayed&nbsp;Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi&nbsp;What to expect: This is set to be the first game to be played in Abu Dhabi, so the conditions and the pitch are a bit unknown. Trust there to be good bounce, lots of runs and lots of dew.&nbsp;

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Match 3 | MIEvDV preview: Habibi, we are in Abu Dhabi! 

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Just MIE things. Just MI Family things. From the jaws of defeat, we’ve snatched out two points. Oh, this match looked gone at one stage. But Romario Shepherd, and his last over madness, first with bat and then with the ball, made sure the MI Spirit was on peak display..&nbsp;That&nbsp;Ghazanfar overOkay, this was where everything turned on its head. 35 runs were needed off five overs with seven wickets in hand for the Sharjah Warriorz. But Allah Ghazanfar and his mystery spin had different plans. 00WW00. The dangerous Sikandar Raza was sent back for a 33-ball 64. And suddenly, just like that, we were right back in it.Onto Romario nowWalking out to bat in the 18th over with Kieron Pollard just having fallen and MI Emirates at an under-par 150/5, Shepherd smoked two sixes to end the over. And then smoked two more to end the 20th over, lifting MIE to a solid 185 in the process. With the ball now, defending 11 to win against the set Dinesh Karthik on strike, he went yorker after yorker after yorker, nailing them with utmost precision and closing the game with four runs to spare!&nbsp;Waseem-Bairstow lay the foundation&nbsp;You can be assured of a treat when Jonny Bairstow and Muhammad Waseem are on song. Well, they were watchful for a couple of overs, but when they cut loose, boy, it was some show. MI Emirates raced past 50 in the powerplay, and together, the tone for the innings was set.&nbsp;The tale of cameos&nbsp;Shakib Al Hasan: 16(12)Tom Banton: 32(21)Tajinder Dhillon: 17(8)Romario Shepherd: 31(10)Everybody chipped in to ensure the MI Emirates had a strong total to defend. Defend we did, and how!

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SWvMIE report: Yes, yes, yes!!! That’s peak MIE SPIRIT on show

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After coming to the party with a solid 29-ball 39 to lay the foundation for MI Emirates’ strong total of 185, Muhammad Waseem speaks at the post-match press conference about a match that’s bound to go down in MI Emirates’ folklore. Excerpts..On his solid start with the bat&nbsp;We are happy to have finished the day with two points. Happy with my contribution too.&nbsp;Whether he thought MI Emirates would end up on the winning side&nbsp;At one point it looked like we wouldn’t win the game when TKC (Tom Kohler-Cadmore) and Sikandar Raza were batting. But we showed belief and we knew that we were just one wicket away. When we got Raza’s wicket and a maiden over too, we started to believe. It was a top effort from the bowlers. Very happy with the team’s performance.&nbsp;On the rising level at ILT20The competition has been rising year on year. Good players are coming in every year because every franchise is looking to develop their teams. The competition has become very tight. It’s good for the future of batters and bowlers if they do well in such leagues.&nbsp;On playing with big international players&nbsp;It felt good. This is my fourth year. Newer players might be under pressure but not me, because I have played with Polly and Pooran earlier. My team and management never put any pressure on me. This is my home ground and I try to share my experience with my players about the pitch.&nbsp;On batting with Jonny Bairstow in the middleHe has played a lot for England and is very experienced. What I liked about him is that after every ball, he talks to the other batter, whether he is on strike or at the non-striker’s. He talks about what we could have done on a particular delivery, what the ball is doing. This helps in releasing the pressure, which then helps later while batting. I have enjoyed batting with him.&nbsp;On Shakib Al Hasan’s presence within the team&nbsp;Shakib bhai is a great person and a player. We have played together in the past as well. We use his experience with both bat and ball. We will see him shine in the future matches.&nbsp;

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“We started to believe after Raza’s wicket in that maiden over”: Muhammad Waseem

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We couldn’t have asked for any better motivation in our bounce-back quest. The Sharjah Warriorz had ended our run in the third season of ILT20, and getting our conquest for the fourth season up and running against them would be the perfect way to put that behind us.&nbsp;Although the scorecard might reflect a match lost inside 15 overs in the chase, MI Emirates have plenty of positives to take out. The finish with the bat, the start with the ball, the never say die attitude, we know will stand us in good stead going ahead. The Warriorz are coming off a loss as well, the only loss coming batting second in the tournament, and would be itching to get on track as well. Make it all the more delicious!&nbsp;&nbsp;What: Sharjah Warriorz vs MI Emirates&nbsp;When: December 7, 2025 | 2:00pm local, 3:30pm IST&nbsp;Where: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah&nbsp;What to expect: The toss will play a major role, and winning it to bowl first will be a massive relief. But irrespective, this rivalry has produced some thrillers in the past, and there’s no reason we shouldn’t expect another.&nbsp;

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Match 2 | SWvMIE preview: Time to avenge the Season 3 Eliminator 

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Not the best start, MI Emirates Fam, but certainly one where we showed the stomach for a counter-punch when our backs were to the wall. It wasn’t the start we were hoping for but we’ll take some massive positives out of this one. Let’s recap ..&nbsp;Polly, Pooran rise to the occasion&nbsp;After being put into bat, MI Emirates were in a spot of bother at 57/4 in the tenth over. But like they’ve done a zillion times in the past across different franchises in the Blue and Gold, the P power in Kieron Pollard and Nicholas Pooran came to the fore, stitched together a 78-run stand with Polly playing aggressor and Nicky P, the anchor.&nbsp;Polly’s brute power on full displayPoor Tabraiz Shamsi bore the brunt of the Llord’s mood. He was batting on three off the first eight balls he faced. And boom..&nbsp;12.2: MASSIVE SIX over long-on12.3: SIX AGAIN. Hammered over the bowler’s head&nbsp;12.4: A mistime, but still with enough power for ANOTHER SIX over deep mid-wicket&nbsp;The momentum shifted. And soon enough, Polly rushed towards his 67th fifty in the format, off just 32 balls.&nbsp;A finish for the agesFrom 66/4 in 12 overs to 163/6 in 20. 97 runs came off the last eight overs. After Pooran fell for a well-made 46, Romario Shephed took over and belted Nuwan Thushara two fours and a six in the 19th over, followed by Rashid Khan, who joined the squad today as a replacement for Jordan Thompson, walked out to bat off the last ball of the innings, and smoked a six in typical whippy Rashido fashion!&nbsp;Perfect start with the ball, but alas, not quite the finish&nbsp;No matter what format, trust Chris Woakes to strike with the new ball. And he did. Twice, getting rid of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Gerhard Erasmus in consecutive overs. But Pathum Nissanka held his nerve, and with Moeen Ali and Azmatullah Omarzai for chipping in, took the Gulf Giants past the finish line with relative ease.&nbsp;Right, we’ve been in such situations before. We know what it is to gather momentum and peak as we go along. We’ll go again, on Sunday afternoon at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium against the Sharjah Warriorz.&nbsp;

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GGvMIE report: A typical Polly fightback, but alas, the Giants hunt it down

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Doesn’t matter which format, trust Chris Woakes to deliver the early breakthroughs. Defending a slightly under-par score, he got MI Emirates to the perfect start with two quick wickets. But Pathum Nissanka, Moeen Ali and Azmatullah Omarzai rebuilt rather well to get the Gulf Giants home in the chase of 164 with over five overs to spare. Here he is, sharing his thoughts on the game at the post-match press conference. Excerpts..&nbsp;Thoughts on the way the game went&nbsp;We didn’t get as many runs as we’d have liked. It was a tricky surface to begin with when we batted, so it was important to get wickets upfront when we bowled. But we didn’t capitalize on that. That was probably the problem. We had them two down early but then we didn’t really capitalize after that. I suppose that is where we just let the game slip and they got away from us on what turned into a good surface when the dew came down a little bit.&nbsp;Whether the pitch was tricky to bat on initially &nbsp;It was tricky to bat on to begin with. Obviously, we lost a few early wickets which never helps in the powerplay. But the surface wasn’t easy to come in and score straightaway. We had a great partnership between (Kieron) Pollard and (Nicholas) Pooran to get us back into the game. To get us up to 160 from the position we were in was really good. With the surface getting better, it wasn’t going to be enough.&nbsp;Difference in the playing conditions compared to last yearSlightly different time of the year, a month earlier which is a bit different. Still a bit warmer than January, when it cools off a bit. Felt like it got a bit wet out there towards the end of the game But in general, coming to different environments as a player, you get used to that. You know a lot of the players anyway. You try to come into the dressing room and bring that group together and gel as quickly as possible. The games come thick and fast. We haven’t had a good performance tonight but the games come thick and fast. You’ve got to try and build quickly as a group.&nbsp;On Rohid Bangash’s performanceReally the first proper time I’ve seen him bowl close and personal. He’s an exciting talent, so many coming out of the country, which is scary with the way they are developing. He’s got a future. He’s got quite a bit to learn, but playing with the best in tournaments like this will only be good for him.&nbsp;On his personal cricketing future&nbsp;I hope so. If people will buy me and I’ll be there. I intend to play for a few more years and hopefully that will be the case.&nbsp;

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“We didn’t capitalize on the start we had with the ball”: Chris Woakes

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Big news. The English all-rounder, Jordan Thompson, has unfortunately been ruled out of ILT20 Season 4 due to an injury. The Afghan legend, and someone who’s no stranger to the #OneFamily and the MI Emirates, Rashid Khan, will come in as his replacement.Rashid is a proper magician who has seriously revolutionized the T20 game, first with his mystery spin that’s bamboozled the best in the world for nearly a decade now, and then with the bat, inventing out-of-the-box strokes like the ‘snake shot’. Having led MI Cape Town to their maiden title win just ten months ago, he sure knows a thing or two about winning big championships.&nbsp;Rashido, Habibi, welcome to Abu Dhabi!&nbsp;

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Rashid Khan joins MI Emirates for ILT20 Season 4

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Same year, new season. Same passion, same vigour, new challenges. Same MI Spirit, new cycle.&nbsp;The stage is set, the lights are blazing and the drums are rolling… MI Emirates have arrived and are on a mission to conquer. Get set for a month-long extravaganza of massive sixes that land on the streets, some thunderbolts that send stumps flying, and sheer how-on-earth-did-that-happen!&nbsp;MI Emirates have tasted success in 2024. We know what it means and what it takes to win the ILT20. And we know the importance of starting well. With serial champion in the #OneFamily, Kieron Pollard at the helm, trust us to know how to fight right until the very end. Despite the mega Auction, we’ve managed to buy back a large chunk of last year’s batch. It’s a love mix of the new and old, the young and the experienced.&nbsp;The Gulf Giants are up first. They were winners in the inaugural season and would be equally hungry. This rivalry has produced some epic clashes over the last three seasons. Let’s brace up for yet another come season 4..What: Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates&nbsp;When: December 4, 2025 | 6:30pm local time, 8:00pm IST Where: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, DubaiWhat to expect: A serious cracker. If the first game was anything to go by, the pitch appears to have good bounce and carry, which means a nice even contest between bat and ball should be on the cards. Let the games begin!&nbsp;

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Match 1 | GGvMIE preview: Let’s paint the desert in our Blue and Gold! 

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Kieron Pollard is the UAE in MI Emirates’ Blue and Gold is a pure vibe. He’s won an IPL in 2020, the ILT20 in 2024, and looks all set to bring it home in 2026 as well. At the Captains’ Press Conference on Monday (December 1), he had the entire MIE Fam book a Final’s date. Excerpts..&nbsp;Thoughts on the ILT20 leagueThe place itself, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is relaxing. And now at the end of this year, we get to spend Christmas and New Year, so looking forward to that. It is the start of the UAE cricket season and it’s a good place to play cricket. It gives you the incentive as a cricketer to want to play. As a franchise, we look forward to participate in this tournament. Hopefully things go our way.&nbsp;On MI Emirates’ squad for this season&nbsp;Just continue to play consistent cricket. I think we have assembled a very good team, as we have done over the years. It is just a matter of understanding what is needed at a particular time to get over the line. We fell just short last year, having been defending champions. We know a thing or two about winning cricket matches. It is just a matter of putting it together at the right time.&nbsp;The X-factor for MIE this yearFrom a planning perspective we got exactly what we wanted. We are looking forward to seeing young Rohit (Bangash). He has been with us for a couple of years. Now, with a price tag on his name, that is where the pressure comes from. We try to play as a cricket team, not outperform each other, to try and win a cricket match. Just like in the movies there is a star and a co-star. Some days, some guys are going to perform and some just have to play the supporting role. He is an exciting swing bowler. He can bowl faster as well. You have the former captain, Muhammad Waseem, who has done well for UAE. We have Zahoor (Khan), who is not on the younger side, but we just want the guys to be the best versions of themselves.&nbsp;Where the ILT20 ranks among other T20 leagues&nbsp;You don’t want to put a number where the tournament ranks. Each tournament has its own variety as it goes along. In this tournament, you have a lot more internationals playing because of where it is situated. It is a great tournament. You see the best of international players playing this tournament. In itself the competition is going to be very, very high.&nbsp;On the motivation to keep playing at 38Thanks for reminding everybody of my age (laughs). Cricket has given me everything. I still have the opportunity to play. I still feel fresh and young at times. For me, whatever I can give at any juncture, I do. T10 was about me lending my experience. I didn’t do much in the last couple of games which means I am fresh. Until the body says it can’t go anymore, I am going to continue playing. God has given me a talent. Hopefully some of these bowlers can bowl some half vollies so that I can continue playing longer (laughs).&nbsp;Message for all MI Emirates fans&nbsp;To the MI Emirates supporters, keep supporting, and see you in the New Year on the 4th of January

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“See you on the 4th of January”: Captain Pollard sounds the war cry

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MI legend. MI leader. MI skipper.&nbsp;We have news! Kieron Pollard, the Blue and Gold icon, is all set to captain MI Emirates in the fourth season of the ILT20.&nbsp;A part of our winning team of season 2, apart from seven title wins with Mumbai Indians (five IPLs, two CLT20s), and don’t forget, two MLCs (2023 and 2025), he sure knows a thing or two about bringing home titles. We cannot wait for his big sixes, canny bowling, fort-like fielding, and his skipper brain to fight right until the very end to pull matches out of the dead.&nbsp;Bring out the drums, sound the bugle, CAPTAIN POLLY HAS TOUCHED DOWN! &nbsp;

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Aye, Aye, Captain Pollard! 

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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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