High-profile South African cricketers David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen are set to make their debuts in the upcoming fifth season of the ILT20. The tournament, which takes place in the UAE, is scheduled to run from November 22 to December 20. This year, organizers have successfully avoided a scheduling clash between the ILT20 and the SA20, the latter of which is set to be held from January 17 to February 21.
Alongside the South African duo, New Zealand’s Finn Allen has also signed on for his first stint in the league, joining the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. The pre-season announcements, made on Tuesday, August 11, also confirmed the return of Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis to the Dubai Capitals after a three-year absence. Several other international stars are returning to their respective franchises from the previous season, including Jason Holder and Sunil Narine with the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, and Shimron Hetmyer with the Desert Vipers. Rovman Powell and Mustafizur Rahman remain with the Dubai Capitals, while Nicholas Pooran, Rashid Khan, and Romario Shepherd continue with MI Emirates. Sikandar Raza has also returned to the Sharjah Warriorz.
Defending champions Desert Vipers have retained Andries Gous and Dan Lawrence, while the Gulf Giants have welcomed back all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai and fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani. The updated franchise rosters for the new season are as follows:
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Finn Allen, Jason Holder, Matthew Tromp and Sunil Narine.
Desert Vipers: Andries Gous, Dan Lawrence, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and Shimron Hetmyer.
Dubai Capitals: Marcus Stoinis, Mustafizur Rahman, Noor Ahmad and Rovman Powell.
Gulf Giants: Azmatullah Omarzai, Blessing Muzarabani, David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen.
MI Emirates: Nicholas Pooran, Rashid Khan, Romario Shepherd and Sherfane Rutherford.
Sharjah Warriorz: Adam Milne, James Vince, Waqar Salamkheil and Sikandar Raza.
