Some of the biggest stars in the world are set to feature in the 2025 season of the ILT20, after teams revealed the first members of their playing squad for this year's competition.
The first phase of squad selection for season four of the tournament is now complete, with details for the player auction to be announced soon. The initial selections include several T20 World Cup winners as well as international T20 superstars across the teams. Particularly strong is the contingent from England, with Alex Hales, Chris Woakes, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Phil Salt and Sam Curran set to play in the tournament. Curran was the Red Belt winner in the last edition of the tournament, deemed as the most valuable player in the competition, and was retained by Desert Vipers.
Elsewhere, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine will both feature, as well as West Indies white-ball captain and best batter of last year's tournament Shai Hope. They will be joined by Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza, as well as New Zealand fast-bowling duo Lockie Ferguson and Tim Southee.
Each team now has eight players, completing the first phase of selection, which included the retention window for players from last season. In the second phase of selection, the teams will complete their squads at the player auction.
This year's tournament will begin on Tuesday, December 2, which is also UAE National Day, with the 34-match tournament set to conclude with the final on January 4, 2026.
ILT20 2025 squads: Team lists so far
Desert Vipers
Retained: Dan Lawrence, David Payne, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Lockie Ferguson, Max Holden, Sam Curran, Wanindu Hasaranga.
New signings: Andries Gous
Dubai Capitals
Retained: Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera, Gulbadin Naib, Rovman Powell, Shai Hope.
New signings: Luke Wood, Waqar Salamkheil, Muhammad Jawadullah
Gulf Giants
Retained: Aayan Afzai Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Gehard Erasmus, James Vince, Mark Adair
New signings: Azmatullah Omarzai, Moeen Ali, Rahmanullah Gurbaz
MI Emirates
Retained: AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Waseem, Romario Shepherd, Tom Banton
New signings: Chris Woakes, Kamindu Mendis
Sharjah Warriorz
Retained: Johnson Charles, Kusal Mendis, Tim Southee, Tom Kohler-Cadmore
New signings: Maheesh Theekshana, Saurabh Netravalkar, Sikandar Raza, Tim David
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