(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

As the country celebrates Eid Al Etihad, the UAE National Day, on Tuesday, the cricket fraternity will come together for a glorious new chapter of the DP World ILT20 at Dubai International Stadium.

The fourth season of the UAE's IPL-style T20 league featuring six teams will get underway on Tuesday with defending champions Dubai Capitals taking on last year's finalists Desert Vipers (6:30 pm UAE Time).

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The two teams will lock horns after a spectacular opening ceremony headlined by Pakistani rockstar Ali Zafar.

But all eyes will be on the cricket field as an array of cricket stars return to these shores for the tournament, which staged its first player auction recently.

Huge platform

Afghanistan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib is back for Dubai Capitals, the reigning champions, hoping to make a big impact once again.

"It's good to be here. We always love this tournament. Last year we won, but we're looking forward to another successful season,” said Naib, who scored 381 runs in 12 matches last season.

“It's a huge platform for everybody. We have got some new faces, and they are very keen to do something for the team.”

New Zealand's star pace bowler Lockie Ferguson hopes to erase the pain of last year's final when he leads Desert Vipers in the fourth season.

"We played great cricket throughout the tournament last season, so this year we're looking to do even better. I'm also looking forward to working alongside Naseem Shah, David Payne and Khuzaima Tanveer as well in a well-balanced bowling attack,” he said.

The 34-match tournament will conclude with the final on January 4, with the top four teams in the league phase advancing to the playoffs.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders skipper Jason Holder hopes his team will bounce back from last season's bottom-place finish.

"We all want to win. It's simple for us – we just need to be disciplined and execute our plans. It's a long tournament, so we'll take each game as it comes,” the West Indies star said.

“It's good to have guys who are familiar with each other. We have a lot of power and depth in our line-up, so the task for us will be to figure out how to put it all together."

Exciting place

While England stalwart Moeen Ali is excited to be part of the Gulf Giants, champions of the inaugural season in 2023, Kieron Pollard has replaced Nicholas Pooran as the captain of the MI Emirates.

“The UAE is always exciting, and it's a good place to play cricket, which gives us an added incentive. We're hoping things go our way,” Pollard said.

For the first time, the tournament welcomes players from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

“We've seen the improvement in UAE cricket (after the launch of ILT20 in 2023), and I'm sure the same will be true for the players from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia,” said Tim Southee, captain of the Sharjah Warriorz.

India's Dinesh Karthik will also make his ILT20 debut this season.

"Dinesh Karthik's experience will be a wonderful addition to the team,” said Southee of his new Sharjah Warriorz teammate.

What you need to know?

DP World ILT20

When: December 2 to January 4, 2026

Where: Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah

Matches: 34

Teams: 6

Dubai Capitals

Desert Vipers

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

MI Emirates

Gulf Giants

Sharjah Warriorz

Past winners:

2023: Gulf Giants

2024 MI Emirates

2025 Dubai Capitals

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