A host of star players have now been confirmed for the fourth season of the International League T20 tournament, which gets underway in the UAE later this year.
The first phase of squad selection is complete and we can now see how each team is shaping up with plenty of new signings sprinkled in amongst the players rejoining teams from season three.
UAE cricket betting sites have split the field into two distinct groups at this stage. Reigning champions Dubai Capitals can expect to be challenged by MI Emirates and Desert Vipers in their quest to win back-to-back titles, while Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Sharjah Warriorz, and Gulf Giants are considered less likely to lift the trophy.
However, the beauty of the T20 format is that outstanding individual performances can help teams snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, against the odds. With that said, let’s take a look at who could be the difference makers for each team in season 4:
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (current odds: 7.0)
Alex Hales: A franchise journeyman and true white ball star, Hales is third in the all-time list of career T20 runs behind Windies duo Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard.
He was back to his best in ILT20 season three, notching a high score of 77* and averaging 36.81 for Desert Vipers. He will prove an astute acquisition for ADKR if he can recreate that form.
Sunil Narine: The West Indies spinner and pinch-hitting opener is a T20 legend. He won the 2012 T20 World Cup, starred in IPL titles with KKR (2012, 2014, 2024 MVP), and became the first bowler with 200 wickets for a single franchise.
Narine is still doing the business at elite level at 37 years old and ADKR will be looking to him to take charge of matches with both bat and ball in season four.
Desert Vipers (current odds 4.0)
Sam Curran: The dynamic left‑arm seam-bowling all-rounder starred in England’s 2022 T20 World Cup win (Player of the Tournament), captains Surrey in the Vitality Blast, and shines in global leagues.
Curran’s blazing knock of 62 from 33 balls in the ILT20 season three final was ultimately not enough to secure victory but 387 runs and 7 wickets across the tournament earned him Cricinfo’s players of the series accolade.
Max Holden: An aggressive left‑handed top‑order batter, Holden has yet to break into England’s T20I team, but that’s not to say he cannot cause serious damage on his day.
The 27-year-old has been in good form so far this season in the Vitality Blast and excelled in last year’s ILT20 with an impressive 230 runs from just four innings for the Vipers, including 76 from 51 balls in the final.
Dubai Capitals (current odds: 4.5)
Rovmann Powell: An explosive middle‑order batter, Powell’s international T20 highlights include a 107‑ball century from just 53 balls against England in 2022.
He has enjoyed franchise stints across the IPL, PSL, CPL, and The Hundred and his MVP performance in season three’s final, where he hit 63 from 38 balls, underlined his power‑hitter reputation.
Shai Hope: The current ODI &T20I captain of the West Indies, Hope has long been a force to be reckoned with in white ball cricket.
He recorded arguably his best ever T20 performances in last year’s ILT20 where he averaged 58.55 across his 12 innings. A crucial knock of 43 from 39 balls in the final, while the rest of the top order fell apart around him, helped guide the Capitals to their maiden title.
Gulf Giants (current odds: 10.0)
Azmatullah Omarzai: An ILT20 debutant this year, he has powered Afghanistan’s rise with clutch performances. In 2024, he starred in the IPL, led a record stand vs Sri Lanka, helped Afghanistan reach their first T20 World Cup semi and won ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year.
The pace-bowling allrounder shined again in the 2025 Champions Trophy and his skills with both bat and ball could help Gulf Giants upset the betting odds in season four.
Moeen Ali: Offspinner Ali has flourished as a dynamic all‑rounder in international and franchise T20s. He has starred in 92 T20Is for England and deservedly became his country’s first Asian‑origin T20 skipper in 2020.
He hasn’t had too many chances to shine in the ITL20 yet, but Ali is a serial white ball winner. He has lifted the IPL trophy with two different teams (2021 & 2023) and the World T20 trophy with England in 2022.
MI Emirates (current odds: 3.5)
Fazalhaq Farooqi: The left-arm pace bowler has emerged as a spearhead for Afghanistan since making his T20I debut in 2021.
He was joint top wicket‑taker (17) at the 2024 T20 World Cup and has already made history in the UAE International League T20, posting the tournament’s best-ever bowling figures of 5/16 in last year’s opening match against Dubai Capitals.
Tom Banton: An aggressive top-order batter, Banton is known for his unorthodox stroke play and quick scoring.
Though inconsistent at times, his explosive starts and flair keep him in demand across franchise T20 cricket globally. If he can perform anywhere near his peak, MI Emirates have a serious chance.
Sharjah Warriorz (current odds: 7.5)
Tim Southee: With sharp swing, smart variations, and cool leadership, Tim Southee has been Mr. Dependable with the white ball in his 400+ career international and franchise T20 matches.
He may have fallen down the pecking order for the Black Caps in recent years, but his skillful death bowling could still prove crucial for the Warriorz.
Tim David: The 29-year-old has built a powerful T20 career with explosive batting for Australia and top franchise teams worldwide.
He averaged 62.33 with a strike rate of 185.14 in IPL 2025: His big hits and strong finishes make him a game-changer in the middle order.
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