The preparations for the highly anticipated ILT20 Season 2 in 2024 are in full swing, and the squads are now finalized. The league has witnessed an infusion of young talent, with eight of UAE’s most promising under-23 players showcasing their skills in the recently concluded ILT20 Development Tournament. These talented youngsters have been picked by the franchises and will be part of this exciting T20 extravaganza, scheduled for January-February next year.
For the remaining 13 spots in Season 2’s roster for UAE players, an online player selection process was conducted on October 20. It’s an exciting phase in the league’s development, as young talents and established stars come together to create a thrilling cricketing spectacle.
In addition to these new talents, earlier this year, franchises retained 11 UAE players, a move aimed at nurturing local talent. The franchises understand the importance of promoting and encouraging young cricketers to make a mark on the international stage. Each of the six DP World ILT20 franchise squads is required to have a minimum of four UAE players, ensuring that the local talent gets its due recognition.
The retained UAE players for ILT20 2024 are as follows:
- Desert Vipers: Ali Naseer
- Gulf Giants: Aayan Afzal Khan
- Sharjah Warriors: Junaid Siddique
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Matiullah
- MI Emirates: Mohammad Waseem
- Sharjah Warriors: Muhammad Jawadullah
- Dubai Capitals: Raja Akif
- Desert Vipers: Rohan Mustafa
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Sabir Ali
- Gulf Giants: Sanchit Sharma
- MI Emirates: Zahoor Khan
With these talented UAE players forming an integral part of the franchises, the ILT20 promises to be a dynamic and competitive league that not only provides a platform for local talents but also hosts international stars.
Furthermore, the overseas retention and new signings list for Season 2 has been unveiled, featuring cricketing superstars from around the globe. Among them is Australia’s all-format opener, David Warner, who will represent the Dubai Capitals in what is expected to be a thrilling season. The excitement and anticipation for ILT20 Season 2 are palpable, and the fans can’t wait to witness the action unfold.
Here’s a closer look at the squad compositions for the upcoming ILT20 Season 2:
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Squad For ILT20 Season 2: Charith Asalanka, Joe Clarke, Sabir Ali, Sunil Narine, Marchant de Lange, Matiullah Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Brandon McMullen, David Willey, Jake Lintott, Josh Little, Laurie Evans, Michael Pepper, Ravi Bopara, Sam Hain, Ali Khan, Andre Russell, Aditya Shetty.
Desert Vipers Squad For ILT20 Season 2: Adam Hose, Azam Khan, Bas de Leede, Michael Jones, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Rohan Mustafa, Sheldon Cottrell, Sherfane Rutherford, Alex Hales, Ali Naseer, Colin Munro, Dinesh Chandimal, Gus Atkinson, Luke Wood, Matheesha Pathirana, Tom Curran, Wanindu Hasaranga, Karthik Meiyappan, Aryan Lakra.
Dubai Capitals Squad For ILT20 Season 2: Andrew Tye, Dasun Shanaka, David Warner, Mark Wood, Max Holden, Mohammad Mohsin, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Nuwan Thusara, Rovman Powell, Sikandar Raza, Rahul Chopra, Haider Ali, Roelof van der Merwe, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sam Billings, Dushmantha Chameera, Joe Root, Raja Akif, Vriitya Aravind.
Gulf Giants Squad For ILT20 Season 2: Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Jordan, Chris Lynn, Gerhard Erasmus, James Vince, Jamie Overton, Rehan Ahmed, Richard Gleeson, Dominic Drakes, Jamie Smith, Jordan Cox, Karim Janat, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, Saurabh Netravalkar, Aayan Afzal Khan, Sanchit Sharma, Shimron Hetmyer, Usman Khan, Mohammad Zohaib Zubair.
MI Emirates Squad For ILT20 Season 2: Akeal Hosein, Ambati Rayudu, Kieron Pollard, McKenny Clarke, Muhammad Waseem, Nicholas Pooran, Trent Boult, Corey Anderson, Kusal Perera, Nosthush Kenjige, Odean Smith, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Waqar Salamkheil, Andre Fletcher, Daniel Mousley, Dwayne Bravo, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Jordan Thompson, Will Smeed, Zahoor Khan, Asif Khan, Mohammad Rohid Khan.
Sharjah Warriors Squad For ILT20 Season 2: Chris Sole, Mark Watt, Martin Guptill, Sean Williams, Qais Ahmed, Chris Woakes, Joe Denly, Junaid Siddique, Daniel Sams, Dilshan Madhushanka, James Fuller, Johnson Charles, Kusal Mendis, Lewis Gregory, Maheesh Theekshana, Mark Deyal, Muhammad Jawadullah, Tom Kohler-Cadmore.
With these star-studded squads and the inclusion of talented UAE players, ILT20 Season 2 promises to be an electrifying cricketing extravaganza, and fans can’t wait to witness the action unfold in early 2024. The league continues to serve as a platform for nurturing cricketing talent and providing fans with unforgettable moments on the field. The excitement and anticipation are building, and ILT20 is all set to take the cricketing world by storm once again.
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