ILT20 Development Tournament Season 3: A platform for UAE’s budding talent
Six-team event gives emerging players a chance as UAE stars compete in Tri-Series and Asia
Dubai: The third edition of the DP World International League T20 Development Tournament will begin on August 24 at the ICC Academy Oval 1 in Dubai, featuring six teams battling in an 18-match, single-league, round-robin format.
Defending champions Gulf Giants Development will be joined by Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development, Desert Vipers Development, Dubai Capitals Development, MI Emirates Development and Sharjah Warriorz Development.
The six squads will be finalised via a Player Selection Draft at Dubai International Stadium on August 18, with each team comprising 15 UAE-based players. The tournament serves as a prime platform for aspiring cricketers to showcase their skills in front of franchise scouts ahead of DP World ILT20 Season 4, scheduled for December 2025 to January 2026.
This year’s competition takes on added significance with the UAE men’s national team busy in the Sharjah Tri-Series (August 29 — September 7) and the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025. That absence opens more opportunities for emerging players to impress and secure spots in the main event. Each franchise is required to have at least four UAE players in their Season 4 squad.
Ideal stage for young talents
Andrew Russell, Tournament Director of the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament, said the event is now firmly established as one of the most important fixtures in the Emirates Cricket Board’s domestic calendar.
“It’s the ideal stage for young and emerging players from across the country to stake a claim for a place in the DP World ILT20,” he noted. “Last year, fast bowler Farhan Ahmed was picked by Dubai Capitals from this tournament and went on to shine in Season 3, helping them win the title. Saghir Khan also made the jump from the development tournament to the Gulf Giants.”
Russell added that the 2025 edition offers the biggest chance yet for new talent to break through, given the extra squad vacancies created by the national team’s commitments.
ILT20 Season 4 to begin on December 2
Following the Asia Cup, the DP World ILT20 Player Auction for Season 4 will be held, where each franchise can add 13 players — 78 in total — to its roster. The last date for auction registration is September 10.
The main DP World International League T20 Season 4 gets under way on December 2 with a high-profile opener. The six-team, 34-match tournament will culminate with the final on January 4.
DP World ILT20 Development Tournament 2025 — schedule:
August 24:
5pm: Dubai Capitals Development vs Desert Vipers Development
9pm: 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 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
9pm: 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.
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