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We are the reigning champions, and we are back to defend our crown! Season three is here, well, almost, and we can officially mark our calendars.&nbsp;The Dubai International Cricket Stadium is all set to play host to a repeat of the 2024 Final clash on January 11, 2025 between the Dubai Capitals and MI Emirates to kick the 2025 season off. We then move to our home, to the Skeikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi for the reverse fixture. In a format similar to last year, each team is set to play each other twice in the league, before the playoffs, and Dubai will play host to the grand finale, on Sunday, February 9.&nbsp;“We are set for a bigger and better edition of the DP World International League T20 as we unveil the schedule for Season 3 with the first ball to be bowled at our iconic Dubai International Stadium on Saturday, 11 January with the defending champions MI Emirates hosted by the Dubai Capitals in what would be a rematch of Season 2’s grand finale. Our six teams have gathered a line-up of world-class T20 stars besides the best of the UAE talent who will combine to provide rich entertainment to cricket fans during the 34-match tournament,” said David White, CEO, DP World ILT20.&nbsp;“The DP World ILT20’s glittering trophy is one of the most sought-after prizes in the cricket calendar and we expect fierce battle between the global superstars who will be giving it their all for their respective franchise."Here’s our full schedule:&nbsp;<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Home Team</td><td>Away Team</td><td>Date</td><td>Time (GST)</td></tr><tr><td>Dubai Capitals</td><td>MI Emirates</td><td>11 Jan 2025</td><td>6:00pm&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>MI Emirates</td><td>Dubai Capitals</td><td>13 Jan 2025</td><td>6:30pm</td></tr><tr><td>Desert Vipers</td><td>MI Emirates</td><td>16 Jan 2025</td><td>6:30pm</td></tr><tr><td>Sharjah Warriorz</td><td>MI Emirates</td><td>19 Jan 2025</td><td>2:00pm</td></tr><tr><td>AD Knight Riders</td><td>MI Emirates</td><td>21 Jan 2025</td><td>6:30pm</td></tr><tr><td>MI Emirates</td><td>AD Knight Riders</td><td>24 Jan 2025</td><td>6:30pm</td></tr><tr><td>MI Emirates</td><td>Gulf Giants</td><td>25 Jan 2025</td><td>6:00pm</td></tr><tr><td>MI Emirates</td><td>Desert Vipers</td><td>27 Jan 2025</td><td>6:30pm</td></tr><tr><td>Gulf Giants</td><td>MI Emirates</td><td>31 Jan 2025</td><td>6:30pm</td></tr><tr><td>MI Emirates</td><td>Sharjah Warriorz</td><td>2 Feb 2025</td><td>2:00pm</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>Three iconic venues. Six iconic teams. Intense rivalries. One month of breakneck cricket in the desert. Bring it on! &nbsp;&nbsp;

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SCHEDULE IS LIVE! MI Emirates to kickstart ILT20 2025!!

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From the Caribbean, to England, to Afghanistan, to planting the cricketing flag in Italy, MI Emirates’ new signings are all set to add a variety of flavours to our squad. As we gear up to defend our crown, it’s time to meet the latest additions to our squad. Let’s welcome them into the Blue and Gold with all the song and dance. Habibi, welcome to Abu Dhabi..&nbsp;<ol><li>Romario Shepherd (West Indies): A big-hitting all-rounder, proven customer in franchise cricket, and an experienced member of our #OneFamily</li><li>Fareed Ahmad (Afghanistan): The wily old seamer with a bunch of variations coming back to conditions he’s played a lot of cricket in</li><li>Tom Banton (England): Long levers, long sixes, and a destructive young batter&nbsp;</li><li>Thomas Draca (Italy): An upcoming quick, out there to put Italy right on the cricketing map, coming off an impressive T20 season in Canada &nbsp;</li><li>Ben Charlesworth (England): A batting prodigy coming up the ranks in English cricket&nbsp;</li></ol>&nbsp;They will be joining our retained players from the 2024 season – Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Akeal Hosein, Andre Fletcher, Daniel Mousley, Dwayne Bravo, Fazalhaq Farooqui, Jordan Thompson, Kusal Perera, Rohit Khan, Muhammad Waseem, Nosthush Kenjige, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Waqar Salamkheil. The third season of the ILT20 is all set to begin on January 11, 2025, and the desert is all set to turn into a carnival!&nbsp;

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Meet MI Emirates’ five new signings for ILT20 2025

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We have news. With the six month countdown to the third season of the ILT20 having begun, aka the six month countdown to MI Emirates defending their crown, it’s time for the retention-release news.&nbsp;Fourteen of our players from the Champions squad of 2024 have been retained ahead of the next season. Nicholas Pooran, the star and leader on and off the field, along with the Blue and Gold legend in Kieron Pollard will continue leading us to bigger glories in 2025. BJ Bravo, with his wily deliveries, Akeal Hosein, with his super-accurate new ball stuff, and Andre Fletcher, with his destructive starts, will ensure the Caribbean flavor in the MI Emirates camp stays intact.&nbsp;As per the league rules, franchises had the option of retaining a maximum of two UAE players. There was no limit on the overseas retentions. Our hugely impressive local core of Muhammad Waseem and Muhammad Rohid, the young find of the previous ILT20 season, are all set to take their game up a notch further. There will be a Player Acquisition Window to sign new players. &nbsp;Full list of Retained Players:<ol><li>Kieron Pollard</li><li>Dwayne Bravo</li><li>Nicholas Pooran</li><li>Andre Fletcher&nbsp;</li><li>Jordan Thompson</li><li>Akeal Hosein</li><li>Kusal Perera</li><li>Viyaskanth Vijayakanth</li><li>Waqar Salamkheil</li><li>Nosthush Kenjige</li><li>Fazalhaq Farooqi</li><li>Muhammad Waseem</li><li>Muhammad Rohid</li><li>Daniel Mousley</li></ol>This also is an opportunity for us to thank the rest of the winning cast of 2024, who have been released for the next season. This includes the players who came in as replacements for during the season, and made sure the winning momentum never stopped. We wish them well for the future.&nbsp;Full list of Released Players:<ol><li>Ambati Rayudu</li><li>Asif Khan</li><li>Corey Anderson</li><li>Bhanuka Rajapaksa</li><li>Christopher Benjamin</li><li>McKenny Clarke</li><li>Monank Patel</li><li>Odean Smith</li><li>Trent Boult</li><li>Reece Topley</li><li>Tim David&nbsp;</li><li>Will Smeed</li><li>Zahoor Khan</li></ol>The third season of the ILT20 is all set to begin on 11 January, 2025, with the final set to be played on 9 February, 2025. Let's bring the cup back home, shall we?

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BREAKING: Pollard, Pooran, Bravo headline 14-player retained list for ILT20 2025

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It’s the perfect way to get into 2025, with some cricket, and the opportunity for us to defend our crown! The third season is here, and it’s time to start the party in the desert again, the one that ended in season 2 with the MI Emirates lifting the title in front of a packed house at the Dubai International Stadium.&nbsp;The 34-game extravaganza across the three grounds in the United Arab Emirates, will begin on Saturday, January 11, 2025, and will run on for nearly a month, with the final set to be played on Sunday, February 9, 2025.&nbsp;“We are delighted to confirm the window for DP World International League T20 Season 3. The window has been finalised after discussions with our stakeholders. We have begun our preparations for Season 3 with an aim of making the league even bigger and better,” said David White, CEO of DP World ILT20.&nbsp;“Season 2 was a massive success in terms of all relevant metrics’ and helped further strengthen the league’s reputation, making it one of the most sought after T20 leagues for players, fans and broadcasters from around the world. Having considered all aspects, the January-February window for Season 3 has turned out to be the most suitable,” he added.&nbsp;“The DP World ILT20 is also proving to be a successful platform for the development of the UAE players as seen in their recent outstanding performance in the ACC Premier Cup in Oman which helped them qualify for the prestigious Asia Cup (2025, T20 format) for the first time in eight years. Most of the players who excelled in Oman had gained invaluable experience and exposure in Season 2. &nbsp;“The cricket fans in the UAE and those who travel to our wonderful destinations Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah from across the globe will have a lot to look forward to in Season 3. We have a series of exciting announcements lined-up as our six world-class franchises and their coaching staff put their heads together for retention of players while eyeing new local and international talent for Season 3 signings.”&nbsp;So mark your dates, and see you in the stadium, as MI Emirates go all out to make it two in a row!&nbsp;

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ILT20 SEASON 3 IS HERE! Mark the dates - 11 Jan 2025 to 9 Feb 2025

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One final league game before we get down to serious business. And we’re set to finish against the Dubai Capitals, the same team we started this season of ILT20 against. It wasn’t a pleasant game for the MI Emirates, and was the only game we lost by a big margin. There’s a lot to avenge. We might have qualified for the playoffs, but there’s plenty to play for. Nailing a top two spot! Regaining some momentum we lost in the previous game!&nbsp;Skipper Polly is here. After the last game where he so very nearly carried us over the line, let’s do it for him. He’s been a certified Mumbai Indians #OneFamily legend over the last 15 years, and just his mere presence is going to lift the younger boys in the side. Oh, and don’t forget that shrewd cricketing brain of his. With Nicholas Pooran, Tim David, Akeal Hosein and Fazalhaq Farooqi off for national duty, it’s the perfect opportunity for someone new to turn match-winner!&nbsp;What: MI Emirates vs Dubai Capitals&nbsp;When: February 10, 2024 | 6:30pm local time, 8:00pm ISTWhere: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu DhabiWhat to expect: A resurgence. We’re back in our home, our fortress, and we are all set to go back to being that unstoppable force as we storm into the playoffs.&nbsp;

Match 10 | MIEvDC Preview: Momentum, revenge, and nailing the top spot await!

By MI Emirates Media

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