<p>The fifth edition of the International League T20 (ILT20) will be held from November 22 to December 20, with matches scheduled across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Tournament organisers confirmed that the competition will follow its usual format, featuring 34 matches including a league phase and playoffs.</p>

<p>The final of ILT20 Season 5 will once again take place in Dubai, continuing the pattern from previous editions. The revised window places the tournament earlier in the calendar, moving it away from its earlier December-January slot.</p>

<h2>Schedule Shift and League Expansion Strategy</h2>

<p>League officials said the adjustment was made to avoid overlap with other franchise competitions, including the <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/sports/sa20-2025-26/249/1">SA20</a>, which is expected to begin in January. The move is part of a broader effort to secure player availability and maintain scheduling clarity across global T20 leagues.</p>

<p>David White, the league&rsquo;s chief executive, said the previous season had seen strong engagement across broadcast and in-stadium audiences.</p>

<p>&quot;We are delighted with Season 4&#39;s success,&quot; White said. &quot;The broadcast numbers, spectators&#39; interest and participation of the biggest T20 stars made the tournament a massive success as the quality of the league grew further.</p>

<p>&quot;The aILT20 continues to make massive strides and our strategic partnerships with Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation and Kuwait Cricket are already making a big impact. This year, these partnerships will be consolidated further through our development tournaments, which will be played in both countries prior to Season 5.&quot;</p>

<h2>Teams and Auction Plans</h2>

<p>Preparations for the upcoming edition will include a player auction involving all six franchises. Defending champions <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/desert-vipers-clinch-maiden-ilt20-title/2927-5-0">Desert Vipers</a> will return alongside Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, Dubai Capitals, Sharjah Warriorz and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.</p>

<p>&ldquo;We are already gearing up for this year&rsquo;s auction,&rdquo; White added.</p>

<p>Among the competing teams, Desert Vipers, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates and Dubai Capitals have previously won the tournament, underlining the competitive spread across the league.</p>

ILT20 Season 5 schedule announced. The tournament runs from Nov 22 to Dec 20 across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah to avoid SA20 overlap.

ILT20 Season 5 Schedule: November 22 Start Date Confirmed

<p>Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah has been fined 10 percent of his match fee during the ILT20 final in Dubai on January 4. <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/naseem-shah-kieron-pollard-heated-spat-ilt20-final/2929-5-0">Naseem Shah</a> and Kieron Pollard locked eyes in the ILT20 final, words were exchanged, and the air shifted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>League officials said Naseem Shah breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct. Match Referee Simon Taufel imposed the fine after reviewing the exchange.</p>

<h2>Heat Exchange With Pollard Draws ICC Attention</h2>

<p>The exchange began during the 11th over after Pollard safely blocked Shah&rsquo;s delivery. As the ball came back, Shah held it briefly and smiled. The exchange did not sit well with the MI Emirates batter, and umpires stepped in soon after.</p>

<p>Pollard reacted sharply, and the words that followed shifted the mood in seconds. Umpires stepped in quickly, joined by Vipers batter Jason Roy, who helped cool things before the situation stretched further.</p>

<h2>Response With the Ball</h2>

<p>Shah did not let the moment linger, as he stayed focused and returned later with purpose. He then dismissed Pollard, who had made 28 off 28 balls. The reaction was restrained, and the message was clear.</p>

<p>That wicket tilted the momentum further in Desert Vipers&rsquo; favour. MI Emirates struggled to rebuild as the required rate crept beyond reach.</p>

<h2>Vipers Seal Title Despite Heated Moment</h2>

<p>The flashpoint did little to slow <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/desert-vipers-clinch-maiden-ilt20-title/2927-5-0">Desert Vipers</a> on the night, as they stayed in control, defending 183 with calm authority. MI Emirates folded for 136 in 18.3 overs as wickets kept falling and pressure refused to ease. Naseem set the tone with three sharp breakthroughs, hitting the deck hard and keeping the chase out of reach.</p>

<p>For Vipers, Tom Curran was the X-factor with the bat. He scored 74 off 51 balls and rescued the Vipers from trouble. That knock changed the feel of the final. Suddenly, the target looked heavy. By the end, the Vipers were champions for the first time.</p>

<p>By the end, celebrations filled the outfield. Medals followed. Naseem Shah walked away with figures that told one story, and a fine that marked another moment from a final packed with edge, energy, and consequence.</p>

Naseem Shah has been fined after an on-field altercation during the ILT20 final, with the ICC citing a Level 1 Code of Conduct breach.

Naseem Shah Fined After Fiery Pollard Exchange In ILT20 Final

<p>The ILT20 final had everything a title clash promises, and then came a moment that cut through it all. <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/naseem-shah-five-wicket-haul-quaid-e-azam-trophy/1778-5-0">Naseem Shah</a> and Kieron Pollard locked eyes, exchanged words, and briefly turned the spotlight away from the trophy and onto themselves.</p>

<p>It unfolded midway through MI Emirates&rsquo; chase at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, a venue used to big moments but rarely raw confrontations.</p>

<h2>Tempers Flare In The Middle</h2>

<p>The flashpoint arrived in the 11th over, where Naseem hit the pitch hard, and Pollard pushed the ball back down the track. Nothing unusual there, but what followed changed the mood instantly. Naseem picked up the ball, smiled, and lingered, which Pollard did not like, and then the words followed, loud ones.</p>

<p>Pollard&rsquo;s frustration was visible, shoulders squared, eyes fixed. Naseem responded, calm on the surface but clearly unwilling to back away. Umpires moved in, and Jason Roy also stepped across, easing bodies apart before it went further.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Naseem Answers With The Ball</h2>

<p>Moments like that can tilt a game, one way or the other, and Naseem made sure it tilted his way. When he returned in the 16th over, there was no smile this time. First ball, Pollard gone, which is a short stay ended at 28 from 28 balls, and from there, MI Emirates never recovered their footing.</p>

<h2>Vipers Seize Control</h2>

<p>Batting first, <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/desert-vipers-clinch-maiden-ilt20-title/2927-5-0">Desert Vipers</a> posted 182 for 4, in which Sam Curran led the way with an unbeaten 74 off 51, built on control and timing.</p>

<p>Max Holden added stability with 41, while Fakhar Zaman provided early momentum. Dan Lawrence finished the job late, ensuring the total carried weight.</p>

<h2>Discipline Seals The Title</h2>

<p>Shakib Al Hasan fought with 36, and Muhammad Waseem injected brief hope. Pollard&rsquo;s presence promised more than it delivered.</p>

<p>Naseem and David Payne tore through the middle order, three wickets each, backed up smartly by Khuzaima Tanveer and Usman Tariq, and MI Emirates folded for 136 in 18.3 overs.</p>

<p>For Curran and his side, it marked a breakthrough, and for Naseem, it was a night that showcased more than speed. It showed edge, control, and an ability to respond when things get personal.</p>

<p>The ILT20 final will be remembered for the trophy and a brief fiery exchange that showed how quickly tension can erupt on the biggest stage.</p>

Naseem Shah and Kieron Pollard clashed in a fiery on-field moment during the ILT20 final as Desert Vipers powered to a historic title win.

Naseem vs Pollard Moment Sparks Fire in ILT20 Final

<p>The Desert Vipers&rsquo; long wait for a title ended under clear Dubai skies on Saturday night as they outplayed MI Emirates by 46 runs to lift their first <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/sports/international-league-t20-2025-26/232/1">International League T20</a> trophy, finally converting seasons of consistency into silverware.</p>

<p>On a surface that offered pace early but slowed appreciably as the night wore on, the Vipers&rsquo; reading of conditions proved decisive. After being sent in, they recovered from early damage to post a competitive 182 for 4, a total that always felt heavier than the numbers suggested.</p>

<h2>Curran Builds, Others Finish</h2>

<p>The Vipers&rsquo; innings wobbled inside the powerplay when Fazalhaq Farooqi struck twice to remove Jason Roy and Fakhar Zaman, reducing them to 36 for 2. With the new ball gripping just enough, shot-making was risky early, and the Emirates briefly sensed control.</p>

<p>Batting with restraint rather than force, the Vipers captain absorbed pressure through the middle overs, allowing Max Holden to play with freedom around him. Holden&rsquo;s 41 off 32 balls kept the innings moving before Curran took charge himself, lifting the tempo late without exposing his side to collapse.</p>

<p>Curran&rsquo;s unbeaten 74 from 51 deliveries, laced with eight boundaries, was an innings shaped by awareness of the surface. Dan Lawrence&rsquo;s brisk 23 off 15 balls at the death ensured the Vipers crossed 180, a mark that quickly began to look formidable as the pitch slowed.</p>

<h2>Emirates Choke Under Pressure</h2>

<p>Chasing 183, MI Emirates never established a rhythm. Early wickets dented confidence, and the Vipers&rsquo; bowlers hunted in pairs. Naseem Shah set the tone with a sharp new-ball spell, removing Tom Banton and finishing with figures of 3 for 18 that squeezed the chase before it could breathe.</p>

<p>Shakib Al Hasan fought briefly with 36, but the required rate climbed steadily as Usman Tariq strangled the middle overs, conceding little and striking twice. Kieron Pollard, often the Emirates&rsquo; release valve, found timing elusive and consumed deliveries without shifting momentum.</p>

<p>By the time David Payne ripped through the lower order with three wickets in an over, the contest had slipped decisively. MI Emirates were bowled out for 136 in 18.3 overs, undone as much by pressure as by pace.</p>

<h2>A Different Ending This Time</h2>

<p>For the Desert Vipers, this title was not about redemption through drama but resolution through control. They assessed conditions better, batted smarter, and bowled with collective discipline, hallmarks of a side that had learned from previous final-day failures.</p>

Sam Curran’s unbeaten 74 and a ruthless bowling display led by Naseem Shah powered Desert Vipers to a 46-run win over MI Emirates in the ILT20 final in Dubai.

Desert Vipers Clinch Maiden ILT20 Title

<p>Dubai braces for a familiar showdown as Desert Vipers and MI Emirates, the two most consistent sides of the <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/sports/international-league-t20-2025-26/232/1">ILT20</a> season, return to the same stage for Sunday&rsquo;s final, a rematch shaped by momentum, tactical clarity and leadership under pressure.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>A Rivalry Renewed On The Biggest Night</h2>

<p>The Vipers arrive in Dubai with time on their side. Their emphatic win over MI Emirates in Qualifier 1 on December 30 earned them a direct ticket to the final and four full days to reset bodies and minds. MI Emirates, by contrast, had to take the longer road.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They regrouped quickly after that defeat, travelled to Sharjah, and knocked out Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in Qualifier 2 on January 2 to book a second crack at the table-toppers.</p>

<p>That bounce-back spoke volumes about Kieron Pollard&rsquo;s influence. Ahead of the knockouts, the MI Emirates captain had warned that a long winning streak can become &ldquo;dangerous territory&rdquo;. When that run ended against the Vipers, Pollard leaned into instinct rather than caution, and it paid off.</p>

<h2>Pollard&rsquo;s Chessboard And Mi Emirates&rsquo; Response</h2>

<p>Qualifier 2 turned into a masterclass in leadership. Pollard opened with spin, attacked with close catchers, and trusted youth over reputation. Afghanistan&rsquo;s AM Ghazanfar received license to hunt wickets, backed by slip, short leg and silly point. Arab Gul did not strike but squeezed relentlessly. The boldest call came with the ball change: UAE left-armer Muhammad Rohid walked in ahead of Fazalhaq Farooqi and struck with his first delivery.</p>

<p>Only Rahmanullah Gurbaz has cleared the ropes more often this season. With Nicholas Pooran departing for the SA20, MI Emirates needed authority in the middle, Pollard supplied it.</p>

<h2>Curran&rsquo;s Imprint On The Vipers&rsquo; Surge</h2>

<p>Desert Vipers, meanwhile, have found their spine in Sam Curran. Lockie Ferguson&rsquo;s injury forced a leadership reshuffle early in the season, but Curran seized the moment. He sits second on the tournament run charts and has shaped games in the powerplay alongside Khuzaima Tanveer.</p>

<p>Against MI Emirates in Qualifier 1, Curran&rsquo;s unbeaten 38 off 12 balls from No.3 blew the contest open. His late-over economy has wavered at times, yet his batting reinvention has underpinned Vipers&rsquo; campaign, and offered a glimpse of what lies ahead in IPL 2026.</p>

<p>Curran&rsquo;s partnership with director of cricket Tom Moody already delivered silverware in The Hundred last year. One final hurdle remains in the desert.</p>

<h2>Conditions And The Final Puzzle</h2>

<p>Andries Gous added another edge, and after a calf injury sidelined him earlier, the USA wicketkeeper-batter returned in Abu Dhabi with a stunning unbeaten 120, the highest individual score in ILT20 history. One more such innings before he joins the USA squad would tilt the balance heavily.</p>

<p>Spin could yet decide the contest. With Rashid Khan gone, Afghanistan&rsquo;s next generation has stepped up. Ghazanfar attacks early; Gul locks down the middle. A used Dubai surface may amplify their threat, especially if dew stays away.</p>

<p>History looms too. No MI franchise, men or women, has lost a T20 final since 2010.</p>

<h2>Voices From The Camps</h2>

<p>&ldquo;We lost Lockie Ferguson as captain. Big blow for us and I filled in his shoes. I like to see myself as someone for the big moments and tomorrow will be a really good encounter in front of a fantastic crowd,&rdquo; said Curran.</p>

<p>Pollard countered calmly: &ldquo;The inspiration we can take is we have done it before [won the ILT20 title]. We understand what needs to happen in finals cricket.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Form, belief and fine margins now separate the league&rsquo;s best two sides. Dubai will decide which one finishes the job.&nbsp;</p>

Desert Vipers and MI Emirates face off in the ILT20 final in Dubai after a season-defining rivalry. Leadership battles, spin threats, and title history set the stage for a gripping showdown.

ILT20 Final Awaits as Desert Vipers and MI Emirates Renew Rivalry in Dubai

<p>Dubai Capitals produced a composed all-round performance to defeat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by nine runs in a high-intensity <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/sports/international-league-t20-2025-26/23">International League T20</a> 2025-26 contest, turning early setbacks into decisive momentum. A near-century from Shayan Jahangir and disciplined bowling at the back end shaped a result that stayed alive until the final overs.</p>

<h2>Jahangir Anchors Capitals Recovery After Early Damage</h2>

<p>Abu Dhabi Knight Riders started sharply after winning the toss and choosing to field, striking twice inside the opening overs. Dubai Capitals slipped to 4 for 2, facing immediate pressure against a lively new-ball spell that exposed early nerves.</p>

<p>Shayan Jahangir responded with calm authority and clear intent, refusing to retreat into damage-control mode. He rotated strike early, punished width without risk, and rebuilt the innings with a partnership that restored belief inside the Capitals camp. Jahangir controlled the tempo through the middle overs, ensuring the run rate never stalled despite the early collapse.</p>

<p>His innings gathered pace after the halfway mark, where timing replaced brute force. Boundaries arrived through placement rather than desperation, keeping the Knight Riders fielders chasing rather than dictating. Jahangir fell agonizingly short of a deserved hundred, dismissed for 99 off 54 balls, but his work had already reshaped the match.</p>

<p>Support from the middle order ensured the momentum stayed intact. Late acceleration lifted Dubai Capitals to a formidable 196 for 5, a total that reflected recovery, clarity, and controlled aggression across all phases.</p>

<h2>Knight Riders Stumble Early as Pressure Builds Quickly</h2>

<p>Abu Dhabi Knight Riders never found an early rhythm in response. Dubai Capitals attacked with intent, striking regularly and forcing the chase into constant recalculation. The scoreboard pressure showed immediately, with the Knight Riders slipping to 73 for 4 and losing shape during the critical middle overs.</p>

<p>Boundaries came sporadically, while singles demanded risk against tight lines and sharp fielding. The required rate climbed steadily, removing any margin for error and turning every over into a must-win exchange.</p>

<p>Andre Russell attempted to wrestle momentum back through power and presence. His 53 off 33 balls carried hope, lifting the crowd and briefly tilting the balance. Russell targeted straight boundaries and punished missed lengths, forcing Capitals bowlers to adjust under stress.</p>

<h2>Capitals Bowlers Close the Door at the Death</h2>

<p>Dubai Capitals&#39; bowlers held lengths, varied pace intelligently, and protected boundaries with precision. Each over reduced options for the Knight Riders, who needed sustained acceleration but never secured it.</p>

<p>Wickets at crucial moments halted partnerships before they settled. Yorkers landed when required, slower balls disrupted timing, and fielders backed the plan with clean execution. Russell&rsquo;s dismissal removed the final major threat, swinging control decisively back toward the Capitals.</p>

<p>Abu Dhabi Knight Riders finished on 187 for 8, falling short despite late resistance. The 9-run margin reflected discipline rather than dominance, rewarding the side that managed pressure better across all twenty overs.</p>

<h2>Capitals Gain Momentum as Knight Riders Reflect</h2>

<p>Dubai Capitals earned this victory through composure, adaptability, and clarity of roles. Jahangir&rsquo;s innings provided foundation and belief, while the bowling unit delivered under sustained pressure. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders showed fight but paid heavily for early losses and missed moments.</p>

<p>In a tournament defined by fine margins, Dubai Capitals walked away with momentum, confidence, and a performance built on smart cricket rather than spectacle alone.</p>

Shayan Jahangir’s 99 and disciplined bowling helped Dubai Capitals secure a nine-run victory over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in a tense ILT20 match.

Dubai Capitals Beat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 9 Runs in ILT20 Thriller

<p>MI Emirates won one of the tense matches of the <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/sports/international-league-t20-2025-26/232/1">ILT20 2025</a> so far. They beat Sharjah Warriorz by just 4 runs at Sharjah Cricket Stadium after a close encounter. From the first ball to the last, the crowd was on its feet, and the game swung back and forth like a pendulum.</p>

<p>Sharjah Warriorz chose to field first, and MI Emirates got off to a good start. Muhammad Waseem was quick as he smashed 39 off 29 balls, punishing anything loose. Jonny Bairstow also joined the party with 37 from 24, timing the ball beautifully.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Tom Banton added 32 and kept the scoreboard moving while the fans cheered and enjoyed every moment of the game. It looked like MI Emirates would reach a massive total, but then Adil Rashid came on and turned everything upside down. His 3-32 suddenly changed the momentum, and MI Emirates started wobbling.</p>

<p>The middle order looked under pressure, and the stadium fell quiet for a moment. But then Romario Shepherd stepped in, and the atmosphere changed. The West Indian smashed 31 not out off 10 balls, sending the ball flying for four towering sixes. By the end, MI Emirates had 185/8, a total that looked defendable but left the fans biting their nails.</p>

<p>Sharjah Warriorz&#39; openers ran hard, and Sikandar Raza looked unstoppable. He scored a brilliant fifty, finding gaps all over the field. The Warriors kept the scoreboard ticking, and when they needed 35 runs off the last 4.5 overs, it felt like a classic T20 finish was coming.</p>

<p>Then came the final overs, where MI Emirates&rsquo; bowlers didn&rsquo;t let the Warriors get easy runs. Every delivery mattered, and Romario Shepherd, who had already starred with the bat, bowled the final over. He bowled yorkers, slower balls with perfect line and length, and denied every boundary the Warriors needed. The last ball came, and Sharjah Warriorz ended on 181/7, just short.&nbsp;</p>

MI Emirates defeated Sharjah Warriorz by 4 runs in a thrilling ILT20 clash, with Romario Shepherd starring with bat and ball in a tense finish.

MI Emirates Beat Sharjah Warriorz by 4 Runs in ILT20

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