895 (1).png

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!

456 (1).png

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

4 mie.png

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;

3 mie.png

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

imgonline-com-ua-resize-L4x0Qe34mlyzM.jpg

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;

imgonline-com-ua-resize-DYNPicVo3hh3hc.jpg

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

imgonline-com-ua-resize-OLPZE9IuEhIYcPrE.jpg

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;

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

By MI Emirates Media

RECENT