Some of the UAE’s most promising cricketers will have a chance to put themselves in the spotlight this month as the six squads for the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament 2026 have been confirmed ahead of the competition’s September 14 start.
The tournament could also have implications beyond the development competition. Several players selected have already played in the DP World ILT20, while others will be looking to use the tournament to strengthen their case ahead of the DP World ILT20 Season 5 Player Auction on October 1 in Dubai.
The fourth edition will be played at the ICC Academy in Dubai, giving local cricket fans an opportunity to watch emerging UAE talent compete across a 10-day tournament.
UAE talent in focus
The six development teams represent the franchises of the DP World ILT20: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriorz.
Rather than simply serving as a second-string competition, the tournament provides a pathway for players seeking exposure at a higher level.
There is already evidence of that pathway in the squads.
Sanjay Pahal, for example, was last year’s Player of the Tournament after scoring 157 runs and taking 12 wickets. His performance helped earn him a place in the Desert Vipers squad for DP World ILT20 Season 4.
Gulf Giants’ Haider Razzaq returns after finishing as last year’s leading wicket-taker with 16 wickets in seven matches.
For players who have yet to establish themselves in the main ILT20, the tournament offers an opportunity to make an impression before the next player auction.
Which players should UAE cricket fans watch?
There are several familiar names across the six squads.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development have Alishan Sharafu as one of their key batting names, alongside wicketkeeper-batter Mayank Choudhary and pace bowler Ibrar Ahmad, both of whom featured for the franchise during Season 4.
Desert Vipers Development have UAE internationals Khuzaima Tanveer and Matiullah Khan, as well as experienced wicketkeeper-batter Vriitya Aravind, alongside Pahal.
Dubai Capitals Development feature Haider Ali and Muhammad Jawadullah, who both appeared for the Capitals in Season 4. Akshdeep Nath, who made his UAE debut earlier this year, is also in the squad. Raees Ahmed returns after scoring 227 runs for Sharjah Warriors Development in last year’s tournament.
Gulf Giants Development have retained Razzaq and bring back Aayan Afzal Khan, who has represented the franchise since the first ILT20 season. Sagar Kalyan and Tanish Suri also return after scoring 230 and 220 runs respectively in last year’s development tournament.
MI Emirates Development are built around Muhammad Waseem, who has made 46 appearances for the franchise and is the third-highest run-scorer in DP World ILT20 history with 1,241 runs. Muhammad Rohid, Ali Naseer, Aryan Lakra and Zahoor Khan are also included.
Sharjah Warriorz Development, meanwhile, have UAE international Junaid Siddique, the national team’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is with 126 wickets. Ethan D’Souza and Dhruv Parashar are also part of the squad, with UAE ODI captain Harpreet Singh Bhatia adding international experience.
When does the tournament start?
The DP World ILT20 Development Tournament begins on Monday, September 14, with two matches at the ICC Academy in Dubai.
The opening fixtures are:
- 5pm: Desert Vipers Development vs MI Emirates Development
- 9pm: Gulf Giants Development vs Dubai Capitals Development
The six teams will play a single-league, round-robin format, followed by two semi-finals on September 23 and the final on September 24.
The complete knockout schedule is:
- September 23, 5pm: Semi-final 1
- September 23, 9pm: Semi-final 2
- September 24, 7pm: Final
Sharjah Warriorz Development enter the tournament as defending champions after beating Desert Vipers Development in last year’s final.
Full 2026 development tournament schedule
All matches are scheduled at the ICC Academy – Dubai.
| Date | Time | Match |
|---|---|---|
| September 14 | 5pm | Desert Vipers Development vs MI Emirates Development |
| September 14 | 9pm | Gulf Giants Development vs Dubai Capitals Development |
| September 15 | 5pm | Dubai Capitals Development vs Sharjah Warriorz Development |
| September 15 | 9pm | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development vs MI Emirates Development |
| September 16 | 5pm | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development vs Gulf Giants Development |
| September 16 | 9pm | Desert Vipers Development vs Sharjah Warriorz Development |
| September 17 | 5pm | MI Emirates Development vs Dubai Capitals Development |
| September 17 | 9pm | Gulf Giants Development vs Desert Vipers Development |
| September 18 | — | Rest/Training |
| September 19 | 5pm | Sharjah Warriorz Development vs Gulf Giants Development |
| September 19 | 9pm | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development vs Dubai Capitals Development |
| September 20 | 5pm | Desert Vipers Development vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development |
| September 20 | 9pm | Sharjah Warriorz Development vs MI Emirates Development |
| September 21 | 7pm | Dubai Capitals Development vs Desert Vipers Development |
| September 22 | 5pm | MI Emirates Development vs Gulf Giants Development |
| September 22 | 9pm | Sharjah Warriorz Development vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development |
| September 23 | 5pm | Semi-final 1 |
| September 23 | 9pm | Semi-final 2 |
| September 24 | 7pm | Final |
The tournament arrives at an important point in the DP World ILT20 calendar.
With the Season 5 Player Auction scheduled for October 1 in Dubai, players have a clear opportunity to put their performances in front of the franchises shortly before the next auction.
That makes the development tournament particularly relevant for emerging UAE cricketers: performances in September could provide valuable exposure as franchises assess their squads for the next ILT20 season.
For fans, meanwhile, the tournament offers an early look at players who could feature more prominently in UAE and franchise cricket in the future.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
