ILT20 Foreign Players 2025: Country wise/Team Wise list
The third season of the International Twenty20 League (ILT20) will begin on 11th January. Each league tries its best to sign up the star and the legendary players from each country. Keeping in the mind, ILT20 has signed very talented players in the second season and its third season is more entertaining because of its new players sign up.
The International Twenty20 T20 (ILT20) is a fresh new cricket competition that will be played in the United Arab Emirates between January 11 and February 09 of the following year. At first, this competition was going to be known as the UAE T20, which was supposed to take place in January and February of 2022.
However, there is no fixed limit on the number of international players that can play for a given team, and it has been established that the league has satisfied all requirements set forth by the ICC to obtain sanctions.
Global Talent Enriching ILT20 2025
The ILT20 has attracted a plethora of foreign players, each bringing unique skills and experiences from various cricketing nations. This international participation not only elevates the quality of cricket on display but also provides a platform for cultural exchange and camaraderie among players worldwide.
ILT20 Foreign Players List for 3rd Season
1. Afghanistan
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar
- Desert Vipers: N/A
- Dubai Capitals: Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf (replacement)
- Gulf Giants: Ibrahim Zadran, Wahidullah Zadran
- MI Emirates: Fazalhaq Farooqi, Waqar Salamkheil
- Sharjah Warriors: Karim Janat
2. Australia
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: N/A
- Desert Vipers: N/A
- Dubai Capitals: David Warner, Jake Fraser-McGurk
- Gulf Giants: Daniel Worrall
- MI Emirates: Tom Banton
- Sharjah Warriors: Ashton Agar, Matthew Wade, Daniel Sams
3. Cricket West Indies
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Andre Russell, Gudakesh Motie, Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers, Roston Chase, Terrance Hinds
- Desert Vipers: Sherfane Rutherford
- Dubai Capitals: Rovman Powell, Shai Hope, Obed McCoy
- Gulf Giants: Shimron Hetmyer, Dominic Drakes
- MI Emirates: Kieron Pollard, Romario Shepherd, Nicholas Pooran, Akeal Hosein, Andre Fletcher
- Sharjah Warriors: Johnson Charles, Keemo Paul
4. England
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Joe Clarke, Laurie Evans, Michael Pepper, David Willey
- Desert Vipers: Alex Hales, Luke Wood, Sam Curran, Max Holden, Nathan Sowter, Adam Hose, Dan Lawrence
- Dubai Capitals: Adam Rossington, Joe Weatherley, Oliver Stone
- Gulf Giants: Adam Lyth, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Chris Jordan, Rehan Ahmed
- MI Emirates: Ben Charlesworth, Tom Banton, Jordan Thompson
- Sharjah Warriors: Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson, Luke Wells
5. Pakistan
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: N/A
- Desert Vipers: Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Amir, Azam Khan
- Dubai Capitals: N/A
- Gulf Giants: N/A
- MI Emirates: N/A
- Sharjah Warriors: N/A
7. Sri Lanka
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Charith Asalanka
- Desert Vipers: Wanindu Hasaranga
- Dubai Capitals: Jeffrey Vandersay, Dushmantha Chameera, Dasun Shanaka
- Gulf Giants: N/A
- MI Emirates: Kusal Perera, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth
- Sharjah Warriors: Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dilshan Madushanka, Kusal Mendis
8. New Zealand
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: N/A
- Desert Vipers: Lockie Ferguson
- Dubai Capitals: Scott Kuggeleijn
- Gulf Giants: N/A
- MI Emirates: N/A
- Sharjah Warriors: Tim Seifert
9. Ireland
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: N/A
- Desert Vipers: N/A
- Dubai Capitals: N/A
- Gulf Giants: Mark Adair
- MI Emirates: N/A
- Sharjah Warriors: N/A
10. Scotland
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: N/A
- Desert Vipers: Michael Jones
- Dubai Capitals: Brandon McMullen
- Gulf Giants: N/A
- MI Emirates: N/A
- Sharjah Warriors: N/A
11. Zimbabwe
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: N/A
- Desert Vipers: N/A
- Dubai Capitals: Sikandar Raza
- Gulf Giants: Blessing Muzarabani
- MI Emirates: N/A
- Sharjah Warriors: N/A
Local Players List
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
- Alishan Sharafu:
- Adhitya Shetty
- Ibrar Ahmed
- Shahid Bhutta
Desert Vipers
- Ali Naseer
- Fahad Nawaz
- Dhruv Parashar
- Tanish Suri
- Khuzaima Tanveer
Dubai Capitals
- Ibrar Ahmed
- Haider Ali
- Akif Raja
- Lovepreet Singh
- Ansh Tandon
Gulf Giants
MI Emirates
- Muhammad Rohid Khan
- Muhammad Waseem
- Kai Smith
- Alishan Sharaf
Sharjah Warriors
- Muhammad Jawadullah
- Junaid Siddique
- Karthik Meiyappan
Notable International Signings
Several high-profile international players are set to make their ILT20 debut in 2025, adding excitement and anticipation among fans. New Zealand’s fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, Pakistan’s opener Fakhar Zaman, West Indies’ wicketkeeper-batsman Shai Hope, and all-rounder Romario Shepherd are among the notable signings for this season.
Team Compositions and Strategies
Each of the six franchises—Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai Capitals, Desert Vipers, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, and Sharjah Warriors—has strategically assembled its squad, blending international stars with local talents. This mix aims to create balanced teams capable of adapting to various match situations. For instance, the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have reinforced their lineup with players like England’s David Willey and Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka, aiming to strengthen both their batting and bowling departments.
Impact on the Global Cricket Calendar
The scheduling of ILT20 2025 overlaps with other major T20 leagues, including Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL), South Africa’s SA20, and the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). This concurrency presents challenges for players juggling commitments across leagues and offers fans a cricket-rich period with a variety of matches to enjoy.
Conclusion
The ILT20 2025 is poised to deliver high-octane cricketing action, with foreign players playing a pivotal role in elevating the tournament’s standard. Their participation not only enhances the competitive edge of the league but also contributes to the global growth and popularity of the sport. As the season unfolds, fans worldwide eagerly await the thrilling performances and memorable moments that these international stars are set to provide.
