The countdown is on for the fifth season of the International League T20, and the ILT20 season 5 squads are already shaping into something special. The biggest names in franchise cricket are heading to the UAE, with David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Nicholas Pooran and Rashid Khan among the headline acts. Six franchises, one trophy, and a player auction in Dubai still to come: this season has all the ingredients of a classic. Here is every confirmed signing so far and the top players to watch when the action begins.
The tournament runs from November 22 to December 20, 2026, in the United Arab Emirates. The six franchises have locked in their retained players and pre-auction signings, and the remaining slots will be filled at the ILT20 Season 5 player auction in Dubai on October 1. For fans of franchise leagues across the region, our T20 section tracks every major tournament.
ILT20 Season 5 Squads: Franchise by Franchise
Some teams have gone big on explosive batting, others have stacked all-rounders and mystery spin. This is the state of each squad after the early signings.
| Franchise | Major Signings | Key Strength |
| Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Finn Allen, Jason Holder, Sunil Narine | Power hitting and all-round depth |
| Desert Vipers | Shimron Hetmyer, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Dan Lawrence | Batting depth and spin |
| Dubai Capitals | Marcus Stoinis, Rovman Powell, Noor Ahmad | All-round quality |
| Gulf Giants | David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Azmatullah Omarzai | Middle-order power |
| MI Emirates | Nicholas Pooran, Rashid Khan, Romario Shepherd | T20 experience and star power |
| Sharjah Warriorz | Sikandar Raza, James Vince, Adam Milne | Balanced batting and bowling |
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
The Knight Riders have added serious firepower with New Zealand opener Finn Allen, who makes his ILT20 debut in season 5. Allen is a powerplay destroyer, and his aggressive starts can set the tone for the whole innings. The franchise has also retained West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder and mystery spinner Sunil Narine, two veterans of a hundred franchise battles who bring balance with bat and ball. Young American all-rounder Matthew Tromp adds depth to the squad.
| Player | Role | Key Quality |
| Finn Allen | Opening batter | Explosive powerplay hitting |
| Jason Holder | Pace-bowling all-rounder | Balance with bat and ball |
| Sunil Narine | Spin-bowling all-rounder | Experience and economical bowling |
| Matthew Tromp | All-rounder | Batting depth and energy |
Desert Vipers
The defending champions have kept the core that lifted the trophy. USA wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous, England batter Dan Lawrence and Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman all stay, while West Indies powerhouse Shimron Hetmyer provides the middle-order muscle. Hetmyer can turn a game in ten balls, and Mujeeb remains one of the smartest operators on UAE pitches.
| Player | Role | Key Quality |
| Shimron Hetmyer | Middle-order batter | Power hitting |
| Andries Gous | Wicketkeeper-batter | Aggressive batting |
| Dan Lawrence | Batter | Versatility |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Spin bowler | Mystery spin |
Dubai Capitals
The Capitals have brought back Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, a genuine game-changer with bat and ball in T20 cricket. West Indies finisher Rovman Powell stays as the middle-order enforcer, while Afghanistan wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad and Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman give the attack variety and death-over smarts. Stoinis could be the most impactful signing of the whole window.
| Player | Role | Key Quality |
| Marcus Stoinis | Batting all-rounder | Power and versatility |
| Rovman Powell | Batting all-rounder | Middle-order finishing |
| Noor Ahmad | Left-arm wrist-spinner | Attacking spin |
| Mustafizur Rahman | Fast bowler | Death-over experience |
Gulf Giants
The Giants pulled off the two most eye-catching signings of the window, bringing in South African stars David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen. Miller is one of the finest finishers in world cricket, and Klaasen is among the most destructive wicketkeeper-batters of the modern era. Both make their ILT20 debuts, and together they could form the most feared middle order in the tournament. Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai and Zimbabwe quick Blessing Muzarabani complete a well-rounded squad.
| Player | Role | Key Quality |
| David Miller | Middle-order batter | Powerful finishing |
| Heinrich Klaasen | Wicketkeeper-batter | Explosive stroke play |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | Pace-bowling all-rounder | Batting and bowling balance |
| Blessing Muzarabani | Fast bowler | Pace and wicket-taking |
MI Emirates
MI Emirates never do things quietly. West Indies keeper-batter Nicholas Pooran remains the batting heartbeat, while Afghanistan superstar Rashid Khan leads the spin attack. All-rounder Romario Shepherd has been retained, and Sherfane Rutherford adds more power to the middle order. With Pooran and Rashid in the same XI, MI Emirates start every season as the team to beat.
| Player | Role | Key Quality |
| Nicholas Pooran | Wicketkeeper-batter | Explosive batting |
| Rashid Khan | Spin-bowling all-rounder | World-class leg-spin |
| Romario Shepherd | Pace-bowling all-rounder | Power hitting and pace |
| Sherfane Rutherford | Batting all-rounder | Finishing ability |
Sharjah Warriorz
The Warriorz have built around experience, starting with Zimbabwe veteran Sikandar Raza, a proven match-winner with bat and ball in T20 leagues worldwide. England opener James Vince brings class and calm at the top, New Zealand quick Adam Milne supplies genuine pace, and Afghanistan wrist-spinner Waqar Salamkheil adds mystery. The auction will decide how far this squad can go.
| Player | Role | Key Quality |
| Sikandar Raza | Batting all-rounder | All-round match impact |
| James Vince | Opening batter | Experience and timing |
| Adam Milne | Fast bowler | Genuine pace |
| Waqar Salamkheil | Left-arm wrist-spinner | Bowling variety |
Top Players to Watch in ILT20 Season 5
Ten names stand above the rest as the players most likely to light up the tournament.
| Player | Franchise | Main Strength |
| David Miller | Gulf Giants | Finishing |
| Heinrich Klaasen | Gulf Giants | Explosive middle-order batting |
| Finn Allen | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Powerplay aggression |
| Marcus Stoinis | Dubai Capitals | All-round ability |
| Nicholas Pooran | MI Emirates | Power hitting |
| Rashid Khan | MI Emirates | World-class spin |
| Jason Holder | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Pace bowling and batting |
| Sikandar Raza | Sharjah Warriorz | All-round contribution |
| Shimron Hetmyer | Desert Vipers | Middle-order power |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Desert Vipers | Mystery spin |
ILT20 Season 5 Key Dates
| Event | Date |
| Player Auction, Dubai | October 1, 2026 |
| Season 5 Begins | November 22, 2026 |
| Season 5 Final | December 20, 2026 |
| Number of Teams | 6 |
Why ILT20 Season 5 Could Be Special
The calendar has given this season a golden window. The tournament finishes on December 20, and the SA20 begins in January, so South African stars like Miller and Klaasen can play the full UAE season before heading home. That scheduling luck has already delivered two of the biggest signings in league history to the Gulf Giants.
The defending champion Desert Vipers carry the pressure of the title defence, MI Emirates carry the weight of expectation as always, and the October 1 auction will complete every squad. With this level of firepower confirmed before a single ball of the auction, season 5 is shaping up as the most competitive ILT20 yet.
Conclusion
The ILT20 season 5 squads already read like a T20 all-star lineup, and the auction has not even happened yet. Miller and Klaasen at the Giants, Pooran and Rashid at MI Emirates, Stoinis back with the Capitals: every franchise has a headline act and a plan. When the tournament begins in the UAE on November 22, expect fireworks from ball one.
When does ILT20 Season 5 start?
ILT20 Season 5 runs from November 22 to December 20, 2026, in the United Arab Emirates, with six franchises competing for the title.
When is the ILT20 Season 5 player auction?
The ILT20 Season 5 player auction takes place in Dubai on October 1, where franchises will fill their remaining squad slots.
Which teams play in ILT20 Season 5?
The six franchises are Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriorz.
Who are the biggest signings for ILT20 Season 5?
David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen joining Gulf Giants are the headline signings, along with Finn Allen at Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Marcus Stoinis returning to Dubai Capitals, and Nicholas Pooran and Rashid Khan at MI Emirates.
Who won the last ILT20 season?
Desert Vipers are the defending champions heading into ILT20 Season 5.
Can South African players play the full ILT20 Season 5?
Yes. The ILT20 finishes on December 20, 2026, before the SA20 begins in January, giving South African players a clear window to play the full tournament.
