DP World ILT20 Development Tournament: Young talent in the spotlight

Dubai: Every aspiring cricketer dreams of their big break. The DP World ILT20 Development Tournament, starting August 24 at the ICC Academy, gives UAE’s young talent a golden opportunity to impress selectors and stake their claim ahead of the 2025 Player Auction.

The six franchises have finalised their squads following the Player Selection Draft at the Dubai International Stadium on August 18. Each team comprises 15 players, blending emerging talent with a few seasoned campaigners who have already featured in the DP World ILT20. The 18-match tournament will be conducted in a single-league, round-robin format, running until September 3.

Team highlights

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development feature Ibrar Ahmad, who took four wickets in seven appearances in the most recent ILT20. He is joined by Aditya Shetty (Season 2) and Shahid Iqbal Bhutta (Season 3), both of whom have prior Knight Riders experience.

Desert Vipers Development include Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, who impressed last season with seven wickets, including a match-winning 4 for 22 against Sharjah Warriorz. He will be supported by Ali Naseer, a three-season Vipers veteran, and Tanish Suri, who returns for his second consecutive season.

Dubai Capitals Development boast Farhan Khan, who defended 11 runs against Kieron Pollard in the Season 3 opener and played seven matches overall. Zeeshan Naseer, another Capitals regular, completes the core of the squad.

Gulf Giants Development rely on Aayan Khan, a consistent performer with 10 wickets at an economy of 6.17 last season, alongside Muhammad Uzair Khan, who featured twice in Season 3.

MI Emirates Development have picked Aryan Lakra, returning after appearances in Seasons 2 and 3, and Zahoor Khan, who contributed five wickets in seven matches last season.

Sharjah Warriorz Development include experienced campaigner Rohan Mustafa, who played 12 matches last season and was instrumental in the franchise’s first playoff run, highlighted by a match-winning 45 against Gulf Giants.

The Development Tournament provides UAE’s upcoming cricketers a vital platform to showcase their skills before the DP World ILT20 2025 Player Auction, scheduled a few days after the Asia Cup 2025. Season 4 of the DP World ILT20 will begin on December 2 and conclude with the final on January 4, 2026.

Schedule (all matches to be played at the ICC Academy: Dubai):

August 24

5pm: Dubai Capitals Development vs Desert Vipers Development

9:30pm: MI Emirates Development vs Gulf Giants Development

August 25

5pm: Sharjah Warriorz Development vs ADKR Development

9pm: Gulf Giants Development vs Dubai Capitals Development

August 26

5pm: ADKR Development vs MI Emirates Development

9pm: Desert Vipers Development vs Sharjah Warriorz Development

August 27

5pm: MI Emirates Development vs Dubai Capitals Development

9pm: Gulf Giants Development vs Desert Vipers Development

August 28

Rest / Training

August 29

5pm: Sharjah Warriorz Development vs Gulf Giants Development

9pm: ADKR Development vs Dubai Capitals Development

August 30

5pm: Desert Vipers Development vs MI Emirates Development

9:30pm: Dubai Capitals Development vs Sharjah Warriorz Development

August 31

7pm: Desert Vipers Development vs ADKR Development

September 1

5pm: Sharjah Warriorz Development vs MI Emirates Development

9pm: ADKR Development vs Gulf Giants Development

September 2

5pm: Semi-Final 1

9pm: Semi-Final 2

September 3

7pm: Final