The DP World ILT20 Season 5 launch in Dubai brought Brett Lee and Shoaib Akhtar together as the league revealed its new identity and outlined plans for the November-December tournament.
DUBAI: The DP World ILT20 Season 5 launch brought cricket legends Brett Lee and Shoaib Akhtar to Dubai as the UAE-based league officially set the stage for its fifth edition, which will be played across three major venues in November and December 2026.
The launch event highlighted the league’s growth and its role in expanding cricket across the UAE and wider Gulf region. ILT20 Chairman Khalid Al Zarooni and League Commissioner Mubashshir Usmani addressed guests, while representatives from cricket, government, business and commercial partners discussed the sport’s evolving regional landscape.
“What began as a dream has grown into one of the world’s leading cricket leagues, bringing together top players and major franchises, while helping grow cricket in the UAE, the region and beyond,” Al Zarooni said.
Former New Zealand international Simon Doull hosted a panel featuring Usmani alongside senior representatives from DP World GCC, Dubai Sports Council, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, SPORTFIVE and Bisleri.
One of the evening’s biggest attractions was a separate conversation featuring Lee and Akhtar. The two former fast bowlers reflected on their playing careers while discussing how competitions such as the ILT20 can contribute to cricket’s development in the UAE and surrounding markets.
The league also unveiled a new brand identity for its fifth season. Celebrity mentalist Karan Singh Magic performed during the launch event.
Attention now shifts from the celebrations to team building. The six franchises are scheduled to complete their squad selection through the DP World ILT20 Season 5 Player Auction on October 1, 2026.
Season 5 will feature 34 matches during November and December. Games will be staged at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Dubai International Stadium and Sharjah Cricket Stadium, giving supporters across the UAE opportunities to watch the tournament.
Desert Vipers will enter the competition as defending champions. Previous winners include Gulf Giants in Season 1, MI Emirates in Season 2 and Dubai Capitals in Season 3.
The DP World ILT20 Season 5 launch also underlined the tournament’s ambitions beyond another domestic sporting calendar fixture. With established international players, franchise investment and matches across the UAE’s three main cricket centres, the competition is positioning itself as an important platform for cricket in the Gulf.
Impact to expect
Season 5 could further strengthen the UAE’s position as a regional cricket hub, bringing international attention to Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah while creating greater visibility for the sport across the Gulf. The auction on October 1 will now provide the first major indication of how the six franchises intend to compete for the title.
