Pooran, Narine, Warner, Russell among 69 players retained, Shaheen Afridi and Matheesha Pathirana released

The six franchises have announced the list of their retained players for the forthcoming third season of the ILT20. The much-awaited ILT20 2025 is scheduled to get underway in January next year.

The six teams have retained a total of 69 players including the likes of Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, David Warner, and Mohammad Amir. The teams were given a two-week window from June 1 to finalize the retention list. With the retentions confirmed, the teams can now sign new players in the ongoing player acquisition window which will stay open till 15 September.

Each franchise has retained two UAE players and will have to sign two more in order to complete their quota of four UAE players. The teams can buy the two UAE players after the completion of the ILT20 development tournament which will be held in October.

ILT20 2025: Players retention list

Defending champions MI Emirates have retained not only their captain Pooran but Dwayne Bravo, Akeal Hosein, Kieron Pollard, and Fazalhaq Farooqi as well. One of the big names that they have decided to release is New Zealand star Trent Boult. Overall, the Emirates have retained 14 players.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have retained a total of 11 players including their captain Narine, Russell as well as the likes of David Willey, Charith Asalanka, and USA’s Ali Khan and Andries Gous. Desert Vipers have retained 12 players including Amir, Wanindu Hasaranga, Alex Hales, and Azam Khan while releasing some big names such as Shaheen Shah Afridi and Matheesha Pathirana.

Dubai Capitals have retained 11 players while Gulf Giants and Sharjah Warriors have retained 13 and 8 players respectively. Meanwhile, ILT20 2025 is scheduled to be played from January 11 to February 9.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Aditya Shetty, Ali Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Andre Russell, Andries Gous, Charith Asalanka, David Willey, Joe Clarke, Laurie Evans, Micheal Pepper and Sunil Narine.

Desert Vipers: Adam Hose, Alex Hales, Ali Naseer, Azam Khan, Bas de Leede, Luke Wood, Micheal Jones, Mohammad Amir, Nathan Sowter, Sherfane Rutherford, Tanish Suri and Wanindu Hasaranga.

Dubai Capitals: Dasun Shanaka, David Warner, Dushmantha Chameera, Haider Ali, Raja Akif, Rovman Powell, Sam Billings, Sikandar Raza, Zahir Khan, Jake Fraser McGurk and Oliver Stone.

Gulf Giants: Aayan Afzal Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Chris Jordan, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gerhard Erasmus, Jamie Overton, James Vince, Jamie Smith, Jordan Cox, Mohammad Zohaib Zubair, Rehan Ahmed, Richard Gleeson and Shimron Hetmyer.

MI Emirates: Akeal Hosein, Andre Fletcher, Daniel Mousley, Dwayne Bravo, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Jordan Thompson, Kieron Pollard, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Muhammad Waseem, Nicholas Pooran, Nosthush Kenjige, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Waqar Salamkheil.

Sharjah Warriors: Dilshan Madushanka, Johnson Charles, Junaid Siddique, Muhamad Jawadullah, Kusal Mendis, Luke Wells, Peter Hatzoglou and Tom Kohler-Cadmore.