Dubai, 21 August 2025: All six franchises have finalized their 15-player UAE-based squads for the third edition of the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament, set to run from 24 August to 3 September at the ICC Academy in Dubai.
The squads were selected through the Player Selection Draft on 18 August at Dubai International Stadium. This year’s Development Tournament will feature rising UAE talent, several of whom have already appeared in previous DP World ILT20 seasons.
Notable names return for franchise development squads
The tournament will act as a springboard for young cricketers ahead of the DP World ILT20 Season 4 Player Auction, which takes place shortly after the Asia Cup 2025.
Key returning players include:
Ibrar Ahmad (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development) – four wickets in seven ILT20 matches
Khuzaima Bin Tanveer (Desert Vipers Development) – standout 4/22 spell in Season 3
Aayan Khan (Gulf Giants Development) – 10 wickets in 10 games, economy 6.17
Farhan Khan (Dubai Capitals Development) – defended 11 runs vs Pollard in opener
Zahoor Khan (MI Emirates Development) – five wickets in seven games last season
Rohan Mustafa (Sharjah Warriorz Development) – veteran of 12 matches in Season 3
DP World ILT20 Development Tournament 2025 – Schedule
All matches will be played in Dubai at the ICC Academy in a single round-robin format leading into semi-finals and a final.
Sunday, 24 August – 5pm: Dubai Capitals Development vs Desert Vipers Development
Sunday, 24 August – 9:30pm: MI Emirates Development vs Gulf Giants Development
Monday, 25 August – 5pm: Sharjah Warriorz Development vs ADKR Development
Monday, 25 August – 9pm: Gulf Giants Development vs Dubai Capitals Development
Tuesday, 26 August – 5pm: ADKR Development vs MI Emirates Development
Tuesday, 26 August – 9pm: Desert Vipers Development vs Sharjah Warriorz Development
Wednesday, 27 August – 5pm: MI Emirates Development vs Dubai Capitals Development
Wednesday, 27 August – 9pm: Gulf Giants Development vs Desert Vipers Development
Thursday, 28 August: Rest / Training
Friday, 29 August – 5pm: Sharjah Warriorz Development vs Gulf Giants Development
Friday, 29 August – 9pm: ADKR Development vs Dubai Capitals Development
Saturday, 30 August – 5pm: Desert Vipers Development vs MI Emirates Development
Saturday, 30 August – 9:30pm: Dubai Capitals Development vs Sharjah Warriorz Development
Sunday, 31 August – 7pm: Desert Vipers Development vs ADKR Development
Monday, 1 September – 5pm: Sharjah Warriorz Development vs MI Emirates Development
Monday, 1 September – 9pm: ADKR Development vs Gulf Giants Development
Tuesday, 2 September – 5pm: Semi-Final 1
Tuesday, 2 September – 9pm: Semi-Final 2
Wednesday, 3 September – 7pm: Final
Franchise development squad highlights
Each franchise will showcase local players with first-team ILT20 experience:
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development: Includes Ibrar Ahmad, Shahid Iqbal Bhutta, and Adithya Shetty
Desert Vipers Development: Led by Khuzaima Bin Tanveer and Ali Naseer
Dubai Capitals Development: Features Farhan Khan and Zeeshan Naseer
Gulf Giants Development: Anchored by Aayan Khan and Muhammad Uzair Khan
MI Emirates Development: Zahoor Khan and Aryan Lakra return to the lineup
Sharjah Warriorz Development: Veteran Rohan Mustafa headlines the squad
The tournament is a key platform for UAE talent and a lead-up to the DP World ILT20 Season 4, which kicks off on 2 December 2025 and concludes with the final on 4 January 2026.
