Season 5 of six-team, 34-match DP World ILT20 set for November-December.
As the DP World ILT20 prepares for its fifth season, CEO David White said the league’s biggest achievement has been its contribution to the growth of cricket in the UAE and the wider region.
While the tournament has secured strong support from franchise owners, broadcasters and commercial partners, White said developing local talent remains its most important legacy.
“It is pleasing to see the DP World ILT20 firmly established on the UAE sporting calendar. We have built a strong and sustainable competition, but our ambition has always been to support the long-term development of cricket in the UAE,” White said.
“The league is a key part of the Emirates Cricket Board’s high-performance programme, providing local players with the opportunity to learn from and compete alongside some of the world’s leading cricketers.”
Key focus on emerging talent
A defining feature of the league has been its commitment to developing emerging players, with each franchise required to include UAE and Associate Member cricketers in their squads. This approach aims to provide local talent with valuable exposure and experience at the highest level.
“Creating opportunities for Associate Member players has always been at the heart of how we designed the league,” White said. “We wanted talented cricketers from emerging nations to play meaningful roles rather than simply occupy squad positions. That level of exposure helps accelerate their development and strengthens the wider Associate cricket ecosystem.”
Over the past four seasons, players including Muhammad Waseem, Khuzaima Tanveer, Junaid Siddique, Haider Ali, Ajay Kumar and Muhammad Rohid have used the DP World ILT20 as a platform to develop their careers and gain recognition on the international stage.
The league’s first-ever player auction ahead of Season 4 further demonstrated the growing confidence franchises have placed in UAE-based talent and the increasing value of emerging players within the competition.
“One of the most rewarding aspects has been seeing UAE players develop into genuine match-winners,” White said. “They have helped make the national team more competitive and shown that they can perform at this level. That is exactly the impact we hoped the league would create.”
A unique player experience
White also highlighted the distinctive environment the tournament provides for players, describing it as one of the league’s key strengths.
“Players enjoy spending a month in the UAE. They are based in one location, can have their families with them and focus fully on cricket at world-class venues. That is something they truly value and it is one of the things that sets us apart,” he said.
Season 5 of the DP World ILT20 will be held in its dedicated November-December window, with White confident the schedule will continue to attract leading international players while creating more opportunities for UAE and Associate Member cricketers to develop and compete at the highest level.
“The November-December window allows us to attract many of the world’s leading cricketers to the UAE while continuing to create opportunities for local and Associate Member talent,” White said.
“We are looking forward to another exciting season and delivering a world-class tournament experience for fans around the world,” he added.
