ILT20 2025 to begin on January 11 amid jam-packed schedule

Defending champions MI Emirates will open the third season of the ILT20 at the Dubai International Stadium on January 11 with a clash against the Dubai Capitals - a rematch of this year's final. The schedule for the tournament, announced on Wednesday (November 27) will see 34 matches played over nearly a month with the final set for February 9, also in Dubai.

The third season will feature games played at all three major venues in the UAE, with Dubai hosting 15 games while Abu Dhabi and Sharjah will host 11 and eight matches respectively. The evening games will begin at 6:30 pm local time on weekdays and at 6:00pm on the weekends. On the double-header days, of which there are six, the afternoon games will be played at 2:00pm local time.

The tournament is part of a packed schedule of T20 cricket at the start of the year with the BBL, BPL, the Super Smash and the SA20 also running concurrently. Several cricketers signed on to play by teams in different leagues could be left having to make a choice or play a smaller part in a particular tournament. For example, Sydney Thunder captain David Warner will not be available to feature for the Dubai Capitals until January 27 if his team progresses deep into the finals week of BBL.

Several T20 superstars have already signed on to feature in the ILT20 and have already been retained by the six franchises. These players include Andre Russell (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), Sunil Narine (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), David Warner (Dubai Capitals), Shimron Hetmyer (Gulf Giants), Akeal Hossein (MI Emirates), Nicholas Pooran (MI Emirates) among others.

Additionally, Jason Roy (Sharjah Warriorz), Fakhar Zaman (Desert Vipers), Shai Hope (Dubai Capitals), Lockie Ferguson (Desert Vipers), Roston Chase (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), Matthew Wade (Sharjah Warriorz), Ibrahim Zadran (Gulf Giants) and Romario Shepherd (MI Emirates) are expected to make their ILT20 debuts in this season.