The International League T20 has come to an end after its fourth season; however, the tournament is still buzzing off the field. According to a report from Geo News, the chief executive of the International League T20, David White, made a surprising hint that part of the league might be played in Pakistan in the future.

White, who has been closely associated with the Pakistan Cricket Board, freely acknowledged his ties with the Pakistan cricket, which goes back to his playing days. He recounted how he ended his international career in Pakistan in 1990, stating that such early exposure was the basis for a relationship that has deepened over the years through various roles in administration and professional interaction.

Not only was White able to work closely with the current head coach of Pakistan, Mike Hesson, during his time as a senior administrator at Cricket New Zealand, but he also viewed Hesson as the one who provided the structured approach and tactical clarity that transformed New Zealand cricket, and hence, the appointment of Hesson will be a major boost to Pakistan's cricket.

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Pakistan support strengthens ILT20 despite scheduling challenges

In White's discussion concerning the ILT20, he recognized the difficulties that scheduling conflicts with other major leagues, including the SA20 and the Big Bash League, had posed to the tournament. He still asserted, however, that the competition still lures excellent global players, mainly due to the first-class facilities in the UAE, combined with good management planning.

One of the reasons for the league's development, according to White, is the enormous support from Pakistan fans. The figures for broadcasting in Pakistan have been exceptionally high, revealing the country's strong liking for the tournament. He also mentioned the role of Pakistani players, particularly those playing for the desert Vipers, and their contribution to the league's intensity and popularity.

With the Middle East's burgeoning investment interest and the increased involvement from Pakistan, White's remarks suggest that the ILT20 is heading towards a daring and more worldwide future.

The battle was fierce between the former West Indies all-rounder and Captain, Kieron Pollard, and Pakistan pacer, Nashim Shah, as they were engaged in a heated verbal altercation with each other during the final of the International League T20 (ILT20) 2025-26 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The incident happened on the last ball of the eleventh over during the second innings. 

Playing for the Desert Vipers, Naseem dished out a good land delivery as Pollard could do nothing much with the ball, getting an inside edge onto his bed as it rolled back to the pacer. That was when the Pakistan pacer mocked the batter by letting out a huge chuckle, who did not amuse the veteran campaigner who was leading the MI Emirates in this competition.

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Pollard headed straight back to the bowler and got engaged in a heated verbal duel as the tempers flared at the Ring of Fire before the umpires and the players from the Vipers’ side tried to calm things down. However, Naseem had the last laugh by dismissing the right-handed batter for 28 runs at a run-a-ball.

Naseem Shah and Kieron Pollard’s heated argument in ILT20 2025/26 final

The Desert Vipers, who enjoyed a successful group stage campaign in the tournament, put up 182 in their allotted twenty overs for the loss of four wickets in the first innings. The number three batter, Max Holden, recorded a decent knock of 41 runs in 32 balls with the help of two boundaries and one six.

Watch the video here:

Sparks fly in the middle! 🧨

The Final brings out many emotions, catching Naseem Shah & Kieron Pollard in the middle of it. ⚔️#Final #DVvMIE #DPWorldILT20 #WhereTheWorldPlays #AllInForCricket pic.twitter.com/PGUsSl3PaT

— International League T20 (@ILT20Official) January 4, 2026

However, they still needed some fire in the back end of the innings with their captain, Sam Curran, providing an unbeaten knock of 74 runs in just 51 balls with the help of eight boundaries and two sixes. MI Emirates did not receive any significant contributions from the batters, with the highest score being 36 from Shakib, as they were bowled out for 136, losing the contest by 46 runs. Vipers claimed the maiden trophy of the tournament.

Brief Scores: Desert Vipers 182/4 (Sam Cuuran 74*, Max Holder 41, Fazalhaq Farooqi 2/33) beat MI Emirates 136 (Shakib Al Hasan 36, Naseem Shah 3/18, David Payne 3/42) by 46 runs.

The International League T20 (ILT20) 2025-26 reaches its grand finale as Desert Vipers (DV) take on MI Emirates (MIE) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, January 4.

The Desert Vipers have been the most consistent side all season. The team topped the points table with eight wins in ten matches and currently have a direct entry into the final after winning against MI Emirates in Qualifier 1. This is their second straight ILT20 final, and they will be eager to finally lift the trophy after falling short last time.

The MI Emirates had to take the longer route to the final. After losing Qualifier 1, they bounced back strongly by beating the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in Qualifier 2. The Kieron Pollard-led side now has a chance to win their second ILT20 title and will be confident after their strong knockout performance.

DV vs MIE Head-to-Head Record (T20s)

• Matches Played: 9
  
• Desert Vipers Won: 5
  
• MI Emirates Won: 4
• Tied/No Result: 0

DV vs MIE: Pitch Report

The Dubai pitch is excellent for the bowlers, especially spinners. The batsmen have to be at the crease for some time before playing the big shots. Scores of around 160 can be pretty competitive here. Teams that win the toss might opt to bowl first, as chasing has been easier under lights.

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DV vs MIE: Predicted Playing XIs

Desert Vipers (DV):

Fakhar Zaman, Andries Gous (wk), Max Holden, Sam Curran (c), Dan Lawrence, Jason Roy, Hasan Nawaz, Vriitya Aravind, Khuzaima Tanveer, Naseem Shah, Qais Ahmad

Impact Player: David Payne

MI Emirates (MIE):

Muhammad Waseem, Dan Mousley, Tom Banton (wk), Kieron Pollard (c), Romario Shepherd, Shakib Al Hasan, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, AM Ghazanfar, Zahoor Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Arab Gul Momand

Impact Player: Andre Fletcher

MI Emirates will play Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the Qualifier 2 match of ILT20 2025-26 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday, January 2. This match is a do-or-die encounter for the teams, as the winning side will qualify for the final, while the other will have to go back home.

MI Emirates finished second in the league stage, winning seven out of ten matches. However, they come into this game after a heavy 45-run loss to Desert Vipers in Qualifier 1. Despite their loss, their batting lineup put up a promising display, with Tom Banton scoring an impressive 63 off just 27 balls, while Muhammad Waseem and Romario Shepherd also contributed. The Emirates team would be most concerned about their bowling, which was poor during the last match.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders had a mixed season, winning four of their ten matches, but they still managed to qualify for the playoffs. They then produced a strong performance in the Eliminator, winning the match by 50 runs. Phil Salt and Michael Pepper led the batting with scores of 43 and 72, respectively. With the ball, Jason Holder, Sunil Narine, and Liam Livingstone made a big impact, taking three wickets each. 

MIE vs ADKR: Head-to-Head Record (T20s)

• Matches Played: 8
  
• MI Emirates Won: 7
  
• Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Won: 1
  
• Tied/No Result: 0

MIE vs ADKR: Pitch Report

The Sharjah pitch has become more batting-friendly this season. The average first-innings score is around 169, higher than last year. Chasing teams have done slightly better here, winning more than half the matches. Spinners have enjoyed more success than fast bowlers, keeping runs under control and picking up regular wickets, especially in the middle overs.

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MIE vs ADKR: Predicted Playing XIs

MI Emirates (MIE):

Muhammad Waseem, Tom Banton (wk), Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Kieron Pollard (c), Shakib Al Hasan, Dan Mousley, Romario Shepherd, Arab Gul Momand, Allah Ghazanfar, Zahoor Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR):

Philip Salt (wk), Alex Hales, Alishan Sharafu, Michael-Kyle Pepper, Liam Livingstone, Brandon McMullen, Andre Russell, Jason Holder, Sunil Narine, Piyush Chawla, Ajay Kumar

Dubai Capitals will play against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in Eliminator 1 of the ILT20 2025-26 Eliminator 1 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on January 1, 2026. It is a knockout game, with the winners advancing into Qualifier 2 to take on MI Emirates and the losers out of the tournament.

Dubai Capitals missed out on a top-two finish after losing their final league match against MI Emirates, with two defeats against the same team pushing them into the Eliminator. They have looked good in patches, especially with the bat, with Jordan Cox and Rovman Powell making important contributions. But inconsistent displays in batting and bowling at crunch times have hurt their campaign.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders sealed their Eliminator spot with a crucial win over Gulf Giants in their last group game. Their batting has big names like Philip Salt, Alex Hales, and Liam Livingstone, but consistency has been an issue throughout the season. With their bowling mainly depending on Jason Holder and Ajay Kumar, ADKR will need a strong all-round effort to stay alive in this knockout match.

DC vs ADKR: Head-to-Head Record (T20s)

• Matches Played: 9
  
• Dubai Capitals Won: 8
  
• Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Won: 1
  
• No Result: 0
  

DC vs ADKR: Pitch Report

The pitch at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium has been balanced during ILT20 2025-26. Fast bowlers get early movement, while batters can score freely once they settle in. Spinners can play a role in the middle overs. A score between 160 and 170 is usually competitive, and chasing teams often have an advantage due to dew in the second innings.

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DC vs ADKR: Predicted Playing XIs

Dubai Capitals (DC):

Aediqullah Atal, Shayan Jahangir (WK), Jordan Cox, Leus du Plooy, Rovman Powell, Mohammad Nabi (C), James Neesham, Waqar Salamkheil, Haider Ali, Mustafizur Rahman, Scott Currie

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR):

Philip Salt (WK), Alex Hales, Alishan Sharafu, Michael-Kyle Pepper, Liam Livingstone, Brandon McMullen, Andre Russell, Jason Holder, Sunil Narine, Piyush Chawla, Ajay Kumar

The Pakistan spinner, Usman Tariq, who has featured in two T20Is for the national side in the shortest format, has picked up six wickets at an average of 7.33 and a strike rate of eight with an economy rate of under six. However, he is under suspicion of bowling with an illegal action during the 2025/26 season of the International League T20 (ILT20) for the first qualifier.

The game took place between Desert Vipers and MI Emirates at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, where the reports claimed that Tariq perhaps bowled with an illegal action to the MI captain, Kieron Pollard, who, after smashing a six against the spinner, was dismissed on the very next delivery.

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Vipers, batting first, posted a decent score of 233/1 in their allotted 20 overs of the first innings with Fakhar Zaman nailing a strong knock of 69 runs in 50 balls with the help of five boundaries and a couple of sixes at a strike rate of 138.

Usman Tariq bowls to Kieron Pollard with illegal bowling action

Meanwhile, the wicket-keeper batter, Andries Gous, clubbed an unbeaten knock of 120 runs in 58 balls at a strike rate of 206.90, shouldering on seven boundaries and nine sixes along with Vipers’ captain, Sam Curran, who drilled an undefeated knock of 38 runs in just 12 balls with the help of two fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 316.67.

Watch the video here: 

Third time’s the charm! 🤩
Usman Tariq gets Pollard instantly after getting hit for a six! ⚡#DPWorldILT20 #AllInForCricket #WhereTheWorldPlays pic.twitter.com/ij8Jm7MLRs

— International League T20 (@ILT20Official) December 30, 2025

MI Emirates could only make their way to 188 runs in 20 overs for the lose of seven wickets as Tom Banton, at number three, recorded a fine knock of 63 runs in only 27 balls at a strike rate of 233.33 with the help of six boundaries and four sixes while Romario Shepherd tried his best with undefeated 39 runs in 23 balls at a strike rate of 169.57.

Tariq has been reported for the illegal action heading into the final of the ILT20 on January 04, 2026. He was previously questioned for the same reason. It will be interesting to see how things unfold.

Brief Scores: Desert Vipers 233/1 (Andries Gous 120*, Fakhar Zaman 69, Allah Ghazanfar 1/37) beat MI Emirates 188/7 (Tom Banton 63, Muhammad Waseem 41, Usman Tariq 3/33) by 45 runs. 

The Desert Vipers will play against the MI Emirates in Qualifier-1 of the ILT20 2025-26 season at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. The encounter is very important, as the winning team will gain direct entry into the final, whereas the losing side will have one more chance to qualify for the final in Qualifier-2.

Desert Vipers have been the standout team of the tournament so far, finishing the league stage at the pinnacle of the points table with eight wins from ten matches. Their batting has been reliable, as players such as Max Holden, Sam Curran, Dan Lawrence, and Fakhar Zaman have scored runs pretty consistently. The bowlers have done a pretty good job, too, with Khuzaima Tanveer, Naseem Shah, and David Payne stepping up at every crucial juncture when the team needed breaks.

MI Emirates head into this big game full of confidence after winning their last five matches in a row to end the league stage in second place. Opening has been ensured by Muhammad Waseem, and the middle has been stabilized by Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard. Allah Ghazanfar has led their bowling unit, ably supported by Fazalhaq Farooqi and Zahoor Khan, and has performed relatively well under pressure

DV vs MIE: Head-to-Head Record (T20s)

• Matches Played: 6
  
• Desert Vipers Won: 3
  
• MI Emirates Won: 3
  
• Tied/No Result: 0
  

DV vs MIE: Pitch Report

The pitch at Sheikh Zayed Stadium usually offers balance for both batters and bowlers. The faster bowlers may be able to get some movement initially, but the scoring becomes better once the batsmen get adjusted. The spinners might not obtain enough turn, but they can manage to slow down the game in middle overs. Overall, teams often prefer chasing here, as the conditions do improve later in the game.

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DV vs MIE: Predicted Playing XIs

Desert Vipers (DV):

Max Holden, Andries Gous (WK), Hasan Nawaz, Sam Curran (C), Jason Roy, Dan Lawrence, Vriitya Aravind, Khuzaima Tanveer, Naseem Shah, David Payne, Qais Ahmad

MI Emirates (MIE):

Muhammad Waseem, Tom Banton (WK), Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Kieron Pollard (C), Shakib Al Hasan, Dan Mousley, Romario Shepherd, Arab Gul Momand, Allah Ghazanfar, Zahoor Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi

MI Emirates’ domination in the ongoing edition of the International League T20 continued in the 29th match as they crushed Dubai Capitals by eight wickets. It was their seventh win in 10 matches this season, helping them finish the league stage in second place. Led by Kieron Pollard, the Emirates enjoyed a comfortable run chase, with the skipper taking particular delight against the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, Waqar Salamkheil.

The turning point came in the 15th over of the innings, when MI Emirates needed 40 runs from the final six overs. Despite having eight wickets in hand, the chase still carried some pressure, but Pollard had other plans. He launched a fierce assault on Salamkheil, smashing a six and a four off the first two deliveries, followed by a couple of runs.

Pollard then sealed the contest in emphatic fashion by striking three consecutive sixes, plundering 30 runs from the over. This brutal spell ensured MI Emirates chased down the target of 123 in just 16.4 overs. Pollard remained unbeaten on 44 off 31 balls, hitting one four and five sixes, while the over also ruined Salamkheil’s figures, who had conceded only 13 runs in his first three overs.

Watch the video here:

Kieron Pollard kills the chase with a 3️⃣0️⃣ run over! 🥵💥

Unmatched, belligerent hitting by the skipper. Clean, powerful, devastating! 🔥#MIEvDC #DPWorldILT20 #AllInForCricket #WhereTheWorldPlays pic.twitter.com/yMK70Wzx3R

— International League T20 (@ILT20Official) December 27, 2025

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Allah Ghazanfar Shines as Dubai Capitals Struggle

Dubai Capitals could only manage 122 for eight in their 20 overs, struggling against disciplined bowling from MI Emirates. Allah Ghazanfar was the standout performer with the ball, finishing with impressive figures of three wickets for 28 runs in his four overs. Despite five Capitals batters getting into double figures, none could cross the 25-run mark, highlighting their inability to build substantial partnerships.

MI Emirates skipper Kieron Pollard expressed satisfaction with his team’s overall performance, praising them for sticking to their plans. “The bowlers bowled well and executed their plans. Everyone who came in did their part. I said at the start of the tournament that we have depth in the squad — horses for courses. It’s about understanding what’s needed on the day. When the pressure is on and spinners are bowling, you have to go after them. The openers set the platform early, which allowed us to take our time in the middle,” Pollard said at the post-match presentation.

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Points Table Update and Playoff Picture

The ILT20 points table sees Desert Vipers at the top with eight wins from 10 matches, followed closely by MI Emirates with seven wins from 10 games. Dubai Capitals sit in third place with five victories from their 10 fixtures. Gulf Giants and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders both have three wins from nine matches, but a superior net run rate keeps the Giants above the Knight Riders. Sharjah Warriors remain at the bottom of the six-team table with three wins from 10 matches.

With the league stage concluded, Desert Vipers and MI Emirates will face off in Qualifier 1 on December 30. Dubai Capitals have secured a spot in the Eliminator, scheduled for January 1, although their opponent is yet to be confirmed. The loser of Qualifier 1 and the winner of the Eliminator will clash in Qualifier 2 on January 2, with the final set to be played on January 4.

Gulf Giants (GG) will be competing against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) in Match No. 30 in the ILT20 2025-26 taking place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, 28th December. This is the final league match for both teams, and the stakes are very high.

Both teams have had a similar season so far. Gulf Giants and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have won three matches and lost six each. However, the Giants (-0.161) have a slightly better net run rate than the Knight Riders (-0.805). With only one playoff spot left, this match works like a virtual knockout, where the winner will move into the playoffs and the loser will be knocked out.

The Gulf Giants, led by James Vince, are likely to utilize their strength of batting and experience of playing under pressure situations, while the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, led by Jason Holder, will be banking upon the same all-rounders, who have the ability to perform under high-pressure situations.

GG vs ADKR Head-to-Head Record

• Total Matches Played: 5
  
• Gulf Giants Won: 3
  
• Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Won: 2
  
• Tied: 0
  

GG vs ADKR: Pitch Report

The pitch in Dubai has been slow and balanced this season. The average first-innings score in the tournament has been around 153. Fast bowlers can get some help early with the new ball, while spinners become effective as the match goes on. Because chasing has worked well here, the team winning the toss is likely to bowl first.

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GG vs ADKR: Predicted Playing XIs

Gulf Giants (GG):

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), James Vince (C), Asif Khan, Moeen Ali, Lorcan Tucker, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kyle Mayers, Mark Adair, Haider Razzaq, Fred Klaassen, Tabraiz Shamsi

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR):

Phil Salt (WK), Alex Hales, Brandon McMullen, Liam Livingstone, Alishan Sharafu, Sherfane Rutherford, Andre Russell, Jason Holder (C), Sunil Narine, Ajay Kumar, Olly Stone

MI Emirates will clash with Dubai Capitals in match 29 of ILT20 2025-26 on Tuesday, December 16 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Both teams had a previous encounter this season in Match 18, which MI Emirates won by seven runs. Currently, MI Emirates are second in the points table and have been on a good streak of four wins. A victory in this match will confirm their place in the playoffs, so they will be highly motivated.

Dubai Capitals, meanwhile, are just one spot below MI Emirates in third position. The clash is similarly significant for them, as a victory will help lock a playoff berth and strengthen their position in the standings. A good contest can be expected between the two teams in form.

MIE vs DCP Head-to-Head Record

• Matches Played: 6
• MI Emirates Won: 3
• Dubai Capitals Won: 3
• Tied: 0

MIE vs DCP: Pitch Report

The Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch is usually slow at the start, and it is tough to get runs in the first innings. As the match progresses, it becomes a bit easier for batters. The teams who win the toss prefer to bowl first due to the dew factor that plays a big role in the second innings of the match. Recent matches here have seen an average first-innings score of about 157, and that could again be a competitive total.

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MIE vs DCP: Predicted Playing XIs

MI Emirates (MIE):

Muhammad Waseem, Tom Banton, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Kieron Pollard (C), Shakib Al Hasan, Romario Shepherd, Arab Gul Momand, Allah Ghazanfar, Zahoor Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Dubai Capitals (DCP):

Sediqullah Atal, Shayan Jahangir (WK), Jordan Cox, Leus du Plooy, James Neesham, Mohammad Nabi (C), David Willey, Muhammad Jawadullah, Haider Ali, Waqar Salamkheil, Mustafizur Rahman