T20 Format
International League T20 (ILT20)
Runs
Top Run Scorer
Alex Hales (~1,405 runs)
Wkts
Top Wicket Taker
Fazalhaq Farooqi (~64 wickets)
History & Evolution
The DP World International League T20 (ILT20) is a six-team franchise Twenty20 league run by the Emirates Cricket Board, played across Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Announced in 2022 and first staged from January to February 2023, it quickly became one of the richest T20 leagues outside India, with franchises owned by major groups including Reliance (MI Emirates), GMR (Dubai Capitals), Adani (Gulf Giants) and the Knight Riders Group. Gulf Giants won the inaugural title, and a different team has lifted the trophy in each of the first four seasons, with Desert Vipers claiming their maiden championship in the 2025-26 edition after moving the league into a December-January window.
League Teams
ADKR
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR)
DV
Desert Vipers (DV)
DC
Dubai Capitals (DC)
GG
Gulf Giants (GG)
MIE
MI Emirates (MIE)
SW
Sharjah Warriorz (SW)
Championship Winners
| Season / Year | Winner Franchise |
|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Desert Vipers |
| 2025 | Dubai Capitals |
| 2024 | MI Emirates |
| 2023 | Gulf Giants |
Frequently Asked Questions
Desert Vipers won the 2025-26 ILT20 (Season 4), beating MI Emirates by 46 runs in the final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 4 January 2026. It was their maiden title after losing the 2023 and 2025 finals, and captain Sam Curran was named Player of the Series after also finishing as the season's top run scorer with 397 runs.
Six franchises compete in the ILT20: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriorz. Several are owned by groups behind IPL franchises, including Reliance (MI Emirates), GMR (Dubai Capitals) and the Knight Riders Group (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders).
No team has won the ILT20 more than once. A different champion has emerged in each of the first four seasons: Gulf Giants (2023), MI Emirates (2024), Dubai Capitals (2025) and Desert Vipers (2025-26).
All matches are played in the United Arab Emirates at three venues: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Sharjah Cricket Stadium and Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. All four finals to date have been staged at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.