·         Indian stars join the league this season with seasoned players like Dinesh Karthik, Piyush Chawla, and Unmukt Chand set to take the field, adding a strong homegrown presence 

·         Fans can exclusively watch the LIVE action on ‘Z’s linear TV channels, OTT platform Zee 5 in India

·         Exclusive digital partner Zee 5 Hindi to offer free-to-view streaming. 

National, 19^th November 2025: Season 4 of the DP World International League T20 will be broadcast live on ‘Z’s TV channels and OTT platform Zee 5 in India. The tournament, already recognised as the second-most watched cricket league in the world, returns bigger and better this year with a wider broadcast reach across both traditional and emerging cricket markets. 

The biggest cricketing extravaganza of the Gulf region kicks off on Tuesday, December 2, with six teams competing in 34 matches, culminating in the grand finale on Sunday, 4 January 2026. The opening clash will see defending champions Dubai Capitals take on Desert Vipers at the Dubai International Stadium. The much-anticipated fixture, a rematch of the high-octane Season 3 finale, will begin at 8:00 pm IST.

Adding to the excitement, Indian stars such as Dinesh Karthik, Piyush Chawla, and Unmukt Chand join the league this season, bringing a strong homegrown presence to one of cricket’s fastest-growing global tournaments. They will share the stage with international powerhouses including Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Tim David, and Sam Curran, making this season a true showcase of world-class talent.

Cricket fans and sports enthusiasts across India can catch the LIVE action exclusively on &Pictures SD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Action, Zee Thirai – SD, Zee Cinemalu and OTT platform Zee 5.

Reflecting on the schedule announcement, Laxmi Shetty, Head-Advertisement Revenue, Broadcast and Digital, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., “We are thrilled to bring the fourth season of DP World ILT20 and promise an electrifying experience to cricket fans and sports enthusiasts across India. By delivering the tournament in multiple languages, we are making the thrill of ILT20 S4 more inclusive and accessible than ever. With the presence of world’s finest and popular players, six leading sporting franchises, and iconic stadiums, we are confident this season will further solidify the league’s stature as one of the most exciting cricket leagues in the world.”

The six-team tournament will once again feature a total of 34 matches. Dubai International Stadium will host 15 matches, Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium will stage 11, and the Sharjah Cricket Stadium will be the venue for eight matches.

Following the tournament-opener, Sharjah Warriorz who qualified for the playoffs for the first time in the tournament’s history in Season 3 will take on Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (sixth on the points table in Season 3) in the second match of the tournament – the first of the season at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

After the completion of the 30-match double-league round-robin stage, the top four teams on the points table with enter the DP World ILT20 Season 4 playoffs.

Season 4 will conclude with the title clash – the tournament finale – which will be played at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday 4 January from 8:00 pm IST.

DP World ILT20 Season 4 – Tournament schedule – all timings are local timings – IST:

Tuesday, 2 December – Dubai Capitals vs Desert Vipers – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Wednesday, 3 December – Sharjah Warriorz vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – 8:00pm IST, Sharjah

Thursday, 4 December – Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Friday, 5 December – Desert Vipers vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – 8:00pm IST, Sharjah

Saturday, 6 December – Dubai Capitals vs Gulf Giants – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Sunday, 7 December – Sharjah Warriorz vs MI Emirates – 3:30pm IST, Sharjah

Sunday, 7 December – Dubai Capitals vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Monday, 8 December – Desert Vipers vs Gulf Giants – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Tuesday, 9 December – MI Emirates vs Desert Vipers – 8:00pm IST, Abu Dhabi

Wednesday, 10 December – Gulf Giants vs Sharjah Warriorz – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Thursday, 11 December – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs MI Emirates – 8:00pm IST, Abu Dhabi

Friday, 12 December – Gulf Giants vs Desert Vipers – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Saturday, 13 December – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Dubai Capitals – 8:00pm IST, Abu Dhabi

Sunday, 14 December – MI Emirates vs Sharjah Warriorz – 8:00pm IST, Abu Dhabi

Sunday, 14 December – Desert Vipers vs Dubai Capitals – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Monday, 15 December – Sharjah Warriorz vs Gulf Giants – 8:00pm IST, Sharjah

Tuesday, 16 December – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Desert Vipers – 8:00pm IST, Abu Dhabi

Wednesday, 17 December – Dubai Capitals vs MI Emirates – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Thursday, 18 December – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Gulf Giants – 8:00pm IST, Abu Dhabi

Friday, 19 December – Sharjah Warriorz vs Dubai Capitals – 8:00pm IST, Sharjah

Saturday, 20 December – MI Emirates vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – 3:30pm IST, Abu Dhabi

Saturday, 20 December – Desert Vipers vs Sharjah Warriorz – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Sunday, 21 December – Gulf Giants vs Dubai Capitals – 3:30pm IST, Sharjah

Sunday, 21 December – Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Monday, 22 December – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Sharjah Warriorz – 8:00pm IST, Abu Dhabi

Tuesday, 23 December – MI Emirates vs Gulf Giants – 8:00pm IST, Abu Dhabi

Wednesday, 24 December – Dubai Capitals vs Sharjah Warriorz – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Thursday, 25 December – Rest Day

Friday, 26 December – Sharjah Warriorz vs Desert Vipers – 8:00pm IST, Sharjah

Saturday, 27 December – MI Emirates vs Dubai Capitals – 8:00pm IST, Abu Dhabi

Sunday, 28 December – Gulf Giants vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Monday, 29 December – Rest Day

Tuesday, 30 December – Qualifier 1 (Team 1 vs Team 2) – 8:00pm IST, Abu Dhabi

Wednesday, 31 December – Rest Day

Thursday, 1 January – Eliminator (Team 3 vs Team 4) – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Friday, 2 January – Qualifier 2 (Loser of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Eliminator) – 8:00pm IST, Sharjah

Saturday, 3 January – Rest Day

Sunday, 4 January – Final (Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2) – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

The post Defending champions Dubai Capitals to face Desert Vipers in DP World ILT20 Season 4 opener, exclusively on ‘Z’  appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

~ Season 3 of DP World ILT20 broadcasted live on ZEE’s 15-linear TV channels, OTT platform ZEE5, and on its syndicate partners’ TV and digital networks ~

~ Match tickets for Season 3 are available here ~

~ DP World ILT20 Season 3 schedule available here, squads available here ~

Dubai, February 07 2025: On the eve of Qualifier 2, DP World ILT20 Season 3, streaming exclusively on Zee Network, has reached a crucial juncture. Batting legend and commentator Virender Sehwag vouched to witness thrilling contest between Sharjah Warriorz and Desert Vipers on Friday, at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The winner of this match will take on Dubai Capitals in the final on Sunday, 9th February to be played at the Dubai International Stadium.

Emphasising on the wickets here in UAE that are tailor-made for scoring big runs, Sehwag said, “UAE stadiums have some of the best batting tracks. Though I didn’t have the opportunity to play a lot here, I did play a couple of games for India and during the Indian Premier League (IPL) and I absolutely enjoyed batting here in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.”

“Hopefully the next two games (Qualifier 2 and Final) will be a cracker. The match between Dubai Capitals and Desert Vipers went down to the last ball and I am sure the next two games will be thrilling contest too.”

Having been part of the DP World ILT20 as a commentator since its inception, Sehwag highlighted the growth of this league and factors that makes it one of the top cricket leagues in the world. “I think the DP World ILT20 is one of the best leagues. Like IPL is good for the development of Indian cricket, similarly, DP World ILT20 is good for UAE players and the Middle East. But the good part is that you can’t see nine international players playing in one team in any other league.”

He further added, “This is the third year for me in DP World ILT20 as a commentator. And I’m seeing that a lot of good international players are coming and playing this league, which is benefitting UAE’s youngsters. They’re getting good experience with international players. And this year, if you look at all the matches, they have been very close and very interesting and there were a lot of games that saw 200-plus runs being scored too.”

On being asked if there was any batter, he would love to have a partnership going here in the DP World ILT20, Sehwag named Australia’s David Warner who scored a blistering 93 unbeaten against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders to put the Dubai Capitals in the play-offs.

When asked if he would like to see Indian players in this league, he said, “I would love to see Indian players here. If any Indian player who has just retired from International cricket or IPL and if they want to play, like Dinesh Karthik is playing right now, it would be great, I would love to see Indian cricketers play here and if there was one player I would have particularly liked to watch here is the sixer-man Yuvraj Singh,” he signed off.

Cricket fans can watch this action-packed tournament on ZEE’s most widely distributed and viewed 15 linear TV channels: &Pictures SD, &Pictures HD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema 2, Zee Action, Zee Biskope, Zee Zest SD, Zee Cinemalu HD, Zee Telugu HD, Zee Thirai, Zee Tamil HD, Zee Kannada HD, Zee Zest HD, &Flix SD and &Flix HD.

The third season of the DP World ILT20 will run from 11 January to 9 February 2025. All 34 matches will be played across three venues – Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. The truly international league’s six franchise teams include Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriorz.

The post “The batting tracks in UAE makes cricket exciting, the next two games will be thrilling,” says Sehwag ahead of the DP World ILT20 Season 3 finale appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

Bengaluru, 07^th February 2024: The DP World ILT20 Season 3, streaming exclusively on Zee Network, has captivated cricket fans worldwide with its exhilarating action. As the tournament reaches its penultimate stage, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Desert Vipers and Sharjah Warriorz are set to battle it out for a coveted spot in the final against Dubai Capitals. With world-class cricketers showcasing their exceptional talent and legendary players offering unparalleled insights, ILT20 Season 3 has been nothing short of a cricketing spectacle. Fans have been treated to unforgettable moments, edge-of-the-seat drama, and masterclass performances from some of the game’s biggest stars.

Legendary former cricketer and the ‘Rawalpindi Express,’ Shoaib Akhtar, shared his thoughts on the tournament’s impact and the rising talent making waves this season. As an ILT20 league ambassador for the second season, Shoaib Akhtar shared his thoughts on the tournament’s progress, saying, “ILT20 is getting bigger and better every year. The numbers speak for themselves – from TRP to reach, the tournament is making a huge impact. The quality of players performing is immense. But more importantly, the league was created to promote local UAE talent, and it’s successfully doing that. This season, we have seen players like Muhammad Waseem and Khuzaima Tanveer rising through the ranks, which is heartening to witness.”

When discussing emerging fast-bowling talent, Akhtar was particularly impressed by a young pacer, “Farhan Khan has impressed me. I wanted to see him bowl with the new ball early in the tournament because he’s very skilled with it. He’s just 18, learning fast, and has a bright future ahead. There’s a bit of a challenge when he bowls to left-handers, but at his age, the key is learning. Ayaan Khan is also exceptional in spin, and Khuzaima Tanveer is proving to be a real talent – he can bat and bowl, making him one to watch.”

On picking a potential winner for ILT20 Season 3, Akhtar revealed his preference, “All four teams in the playoffs deserve to win, but my heart goes out to Sharjah Warriorz. They started slow but gained momentum at the right time. If they go all the way and lift the title, it would be great to see.”

Link for the video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFvAW6Lym4N/?igsh=MW81bWkweWlibTNxNQ==

Cricket fans can watch this action-packed tournament on ZEE’s most widely distributed and viewed 15 linear TV channels: &Pictures SD, &Pictures HD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema 2, Zee Action, Zee Biskope, Zee Zest SD, Zee Cinemalu HD, Zee Telugu HD, Zee Thirai, Zee Tamil HD, Zee Kannada HD, Zee Zest HD, &Flix SD and &Flix HD.

The third season of the DP World ILT20 will run from 11 January to 9 February 2025. All 34 matches will be played across three venues – Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. The truly international league’s six franchise teams include Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriorz.

The post “Will be good to see Sharjah Warriorz claim the title,” says DP World ILT20 ambassador and commentator Shoaib Akhtar appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

Amidst the celebrations, David Warner once again proved why he is not just a cricketing icon but also a fan favourite. The dynamic opener took time after the victory to interact with his passionate supporters, signing autographs and capturing unforgettable moments with them. In a heartwarming gesture, Warner clicked a selfie with a devoted fan in a wheelchair, displaying his humility and deep appreciation for his supporters.

Warner’s charisma extends far beyond the cricket field. With a massive fan base in India, the explosive batter has won hearts by embracing Indian culture, engaging with traditions, and entertaining millions with his lighthearted social media content. His impact on the field, however, has been just as electrifying. His unbeaten 93 off 57 balls against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders was a defining moment in the season, propelling the Capitals into the playoffs and setting the stage for their march to the finals.

Link for the video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFs_Wqihs_c/?igsh=M3pxeHFjcTA4MmJ4

Cricket fans can watch this action-packed tournament on ZEE’s most widely distributed and viewed 15 linear TV channels: &Pictures SD, &Pictures HD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema 2, Zee Action, Zee Biskope, Zee Zest SD, Zee Cinemalu HD, Zee Telugu HD, Zee Thirai, Zee Tamil HD, Zee Kannada HD, Zee Zest HD, &Flix SD and &Flix HD.

The third season of the DP World ILT20 will run from 11 January to 9 February 2025. All 34 matches will be played across three venues – Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. The truly international league’s six franchise teams include Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriorz.

The post David Warner’s Touching Moment with Fans After Dubai Capitals reaches final of DP World ILT20, Exclusively on ZEE appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

Bengaluru, February 03^rd 2025: With the battlelines drawn for the DP World ILT20 Season 3 finale, Pakistan bowling legend and former captain Wasim Akram put his weight behind the Desert Vipers to outshine. While the Vipers were the first team in this season to book a berth in the play-offs with their dominating show with the bat and the ball, defending champions MI Emirates finished second in the points table to qualify. Sharjah Warriorz and Dubai Capitals became the third team and fourth team respectively to sneak into the play-offs after their commanding victories on Super Sunday buoyed by incredible crowd support during the double-header held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Underscoring the fierce competition to find a place in the top four, Akram said, “I love coming here for the DP World ILT20. I have thoroughly enjoyed being here as a commentator and watch closely some very fresh talent coming out of this league.

Until yesterday, we only had one team sure of their place in the play-offs. This shows the quality of the competition here; it shows the consistency of the wickets. There were five teams who still stood a chance to make it to the top four.”

With seven wins from nine games, Desert Vipers have been in top form through the league stage and have turned their performance around this season after a poor outing last edition. “For me, Desert Vipers are my favourite team and there is a reason why they are my favourite,” he further explained. “It is not because they are table toppers but because they had three Pakistani players in their squad and we saw some good performances from them in the league stage. Though Azam Khan needs to fire yet but we still have another week’s play left where he could score a quick-fire 50 to help his team win,” Akram expressed.

With the league providing a golden opportunity for the UAE players to rub shoulders with global icons of the game, Akram believes the exposure is paying off with players like Muhammad Waseem, Aayan Afzal Khan and Muhammad Rohid living up to the billing. “There are quite a few UAE players who have stood out this season. Waseem has been quite consistent as an opener and he is quite senior. If we were to speak about fast bowlers, then Rohid is doing well. Aayan came in, scored a six to help his team win by chasing. He has been a good all-rounder for his team.”

“What I look forward to from these young players is to take the experience from here, be consistent and be on top of the ladder in their performance. Spending over a month with some of the best players in the world is a big bonus for them. They should be learning about their mindset, how they train and what they eat. The vision behind this league is to groom players for UAE and that is happening. It is now time for UAE to be one of the top performers among Associate Member nations,” Akram signed off.

Cricket fans can watch this action-packed tournament on ZEE’s most widely distributed and viewed 15 linear TV channels: &Pictures SD, &Pictures HD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema 2, Zee Action, Zee Biskope, Zee Zest SD, Zee Cinemalu HD, Zee Telugu HD, Zee Thirai, Zee Tamil HD, Zee Kannada HD, Zee Zest HD, &Flix SD and &Flix HD.

The post “I love coming here for DP World ILT20, the competition here is fierce,” says Wasim Akram appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

The King Khan of Bollywood, popular as SRK worldwide, made a special appearance to cheer for his team, the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, during their game against the Dubai Capitals. His presence at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi added a touch of Indian film glamour to the thrilling cricket action.

The DP World ILT20, known for attracting top cricketing talent from across the globe, has become a hub for exhilarating performances and unforgettable moments. Shah Rukh Khan’s presence amplified the excitement, delighting fans and players alike, as the spirit of cricket and entertainment merged seamlessly.

Link for the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzpX5G1H-PQ

Season 3 of the DP World ILT20 has been a treat for cricket lovers, blending world-class sports with spectacular entertainment. International cricket superstars like Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Tim Southee, Sam Curran, Andre Russell, and Nicholas Pooran lit up the tournament with their outstanding performances, treating fans to a feast of exceptional cricketing action. The UAE offers an unparalleled setting for world-class cricket, with fantastic stadiums, ideal weather during the early part of the year, and a player-friendly environment. The Emirati people are known for their warm hospitality, making visitors from across the globe feel at home. The presence of top international players brings a global appeal to the tournament, further enhancing its stature, offering Dubai as a premier destination for sporting excellence.

This perfect blend of cricket’s competitive energy and the Bollywood charm has turned the DP World ILT20 into more than just a tournament—it’s become a carnival for fans of cricket and entertainment alike. With plenty of action lined up in the coming days, the season promises to deliver more unforgettable moments both on and off the field. Shah Rukh Khan’s attendance further elevates the tournament’s profile, underscoring its growing stature on the global stage.

Indian fans can catch all the action-packed tournament on ZEE’s most widely distributed and viewed 15-linear TV channels; this includes &Pictures SD, &Pictures HD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema 2, Zee Action, Zee Biskope, Zee Zest SD, Zee Cinemalu HD, Zee Telugu HD, Zee Thirai, Zee Tamil HD, Zee Kannada HD, Zee Zest HD, &Flix SD and &Flix HD. Additionally, the event will be available on one of India’s leading OTT platforms, ZEE5.

The post Shah Rukh Khan Adds Bollywood Charm to DP World ILT20, Broadcast Exclusively by ZEE appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

Bengaluru 13 January 2025: The DP World ILT20 Season 3, broadcasting exclusively on ZEE launched in spectacular fashion at the Dubai International Stadium.  The star-studded trio of Bollywood superstars Shahid Kapoor, Pooja Hegde, and Sonam Bajwa headlined a blockbuster opening ceremony as fans packed the iconic ‘Ring of Fire’ for the double-entertainment offer – opening ceremony and the tournament opener – for the region’s premier T20 tournament.

The festivities culminated in a stunning fireworks display signalling the start of the season. Bollywood actor-producer Jackky Bhagnani and popular host Ridhima Pathak kept the crowd engaged as emcees for the evening.

Following the opening ceremony, anticipation soared for the season opener that will see Dubai Capitals host defending champions, MI Emirates in a thrilling rematch of last year’s final. The opening ball of the season was bowled at 8:45 pm IST with MI Emirates winning the toss and choosing to bowl first.

Audiences from around the world can catch the action live on the Zee Network and its syndication partners through both linear and digital platforms.

Commenting on the ceremony, Ashish Sehgal, Chief Growth Officer – Digital & Broadcast Revenue – Zee Entertainment Enterprise Limited, said, “The electrifying opening of the DP World ILT20 Season 3 exceeded all expectations! We’re incredibly proud to have brought this thrilling fusion of world-class cricket and entertainment to fans worldwide. The combination of superstar performances, nail-biting cricket, and the passion of fans watching on ZEE platforms resulted in unforgettable evening. It has solidified our intent to deliver premium sports and entertainment content. We are now excited to see what the rest of this season holds.”

Cricket fans can watch this action-packed tournament on ZEE’s most widely distributed and viewed 15 linear TV channels: &Pictures SD, &Pictures HD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema 2, Zee Action, Zee Biskope, Zee Zest SD, Zee Cinemalu HD, Zee Telugu HD, Zee Thirai, Zee Tamil HD, Zee Kannada HD, Zee Zest HD, &Flix SD and &Flix HD. It’s also free to view on one of India’s leading OTT platform – ZEE5.

The month-long cricket fest will see some of the world’s finest cricketers in action, including Nicholas Pooran (MI Emirates), Sikandar Raza (Dubai Capitals), Sunil Narine (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), Lockie Ferguson (Desert Vipers), James Vince (Gulf Giants), Tim Southee (Sharjah Warriorz), David Warner (Dubai Capitals), Jason Holder (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), Shimron Hetmyer (Gulf Giants), Phil Salt (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), Bhanuka Rajapaksa (Sharjah Warriorz), Sam Curran (Desert Vipers), Jake Fraser-McGurk (Dubai Capitals), Tim David (Gulf Giants), Fazalhaq Farooqi (MI Emirates), Adil Rashid (Sharjah Warriorz), Fakhar Zaman (Desert Vipers), Roston Chase (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), Matthew Wade (Sharjah Warriorz), Ibrahim Zadran (Gulf Giants), Alex Hales (Desert Vipers), Sherfane Rutherford (Desert Vipers), Rovman Powell (Dubai Capitals), and Chris Jordan (Gulf Giants).

The post ZEE kicks off DP World ILT20 Season 3 with a spectacular opening ceremony at Dubai International Stadium  appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

·         DP World ILT20 Season 3 schedule available here

·         DP World ILT20 Season 3 match and event’s photographs would be available here

Bengaluru, 09 January 2025: The DP World ILT20 Season 3, to be broadcasted exclusively on ZEE will begin on Saturday, 11 January at the Dubai International Stadium with the Dubai Capitals hosting the defending champions MI Emirates in the tournament opener from 8:45 pm IST on Saturday, 11 January.

The teams can make reinforcements or replacements during Season 3 in case of injuries or non-availability of their selected players. Season 3 of the DP World International League T20 runs from 11 January 2025 to 9 February 2025. A total of 34 matches will be played in the month long tournament.

Amongst the major changes in the squads in the lead-up to the tournament opener, England opener Phil Salt and Pakistan left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem have joined the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. Salt has been included as a Wildcard while Sufiyan has been added to the squad following the unavailability of Hassan Khan.

Afghanistan spinner Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar will play for the MI Emirates squad while Vijayakanth Viyaskanth will play for the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.

Commenting on the announcement, Ashish Sehgal, Chief Growth Officer – Digital & Broadcast Revenue – Zee Entertainment Enterprise Limited, said, “ZEE is delighted to unveil the impressive squad line-up for Season 3, featuring some of the world’s finest and popular players. With iconic locations like Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, world class infrastructure and six powerhouse franchises, our aim is to solidify the league as one of the most-widely followed global cricket events. We have significantly expanded our broadcast reach by adding five more linear channels, including South Indian channels and are excited to present this thrilling cricketing spectacle to fans across the world.”

Cricket fans can watch this action-packed tournament on ZEE’s most widely distributed and viewed 15 linear TV channels: &Pictures SD, &Pictures HD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema 2, Zee Action, Zee Biskope, Zee Zest SD, Zee Cinemalu HD, Zee Telugu HD, Zee Thirai, Zee Tamil HD, Zee Kannada HD, Zee Zest HD, &Flix SD and &Flix HD. It’s also free to view on one of India’s leading OTT platform – ZEE5. Aiming to capture a viewership of 230-million for the upcoming season, ZEE will expand its reach by including South Indian channels, offering a month-long cricket carnival experience.

The six DP World ILT20 Season 3 squads as of Thursday, 9 January 2025:

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

New signees: Gudakesh Motie, Ibrar Ahmad, Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers, Phil Salt (Wildcard), Roston Chase, Shahid Iqbal Bhutta, Sufiyan Muqeem, Terrance Hinds and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth

Retentions: Aditya Shetty, Ali Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Andre Russell, Andries Gous, Charith Asalanka, David Willey, Joe Clarke, Laurie Evans, Michael Pepper and Sunil Narine.

Desert Vipers

New signees: Dan Lawrence (Wildcard), David Payne, Dhruv Parashar, Fakhar Zaman, Kushal Malla (replacement for injured Bas de Leede), Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Lockie Ferguson, Max Holden and Sam Curran (played for Vipers in Season 2 as a wildcard).

Retentions: Adam Hose, Alex Hales, Ali Naseer, Azam Khan, Luke Wood, Michael Jones, Mohammad Amir, Nathan Sowter, Sherfane Rutherford, Tanish Suri and Wanindu Hasaranga.

Dubai Capitals

New signees: Adam Rossington (Wildcard), Aryaman Varma (signed as replacement player for Jake Fraser McGurk), Ben Dunk, Brandon McMullen, Garuka Sanketh (signed as replacement player), Farhan Khan, Gulbadin Naib, Joe Burns, Joe Weatherley, Najibullah Zadran, Obed McCoy, Scott Kuggeleijn, Sharafuddin Ashraf (signed as replacement player), Shai Hope, Shahrukh Ahmed and Zeeshan Naseer.

Retentions: 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

New signees: Adam Lyth, Dominic Drakes, Daniel Worrall (played for Giants in Season 2 as a wildcard player), Dushan Hemantha (signed as a replacement player), Ibrahim Zadran, Mark Adair, Ollie Robinson (wicketkeeper-batter), Tim David, Tom Curran, Tymal Mills, Muhammad Saghir Khan, Muhammad Uzair Khan and Wahidullah Zadran.

Retentions: Aayan Afzal Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Chris Jordan, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gerhard Erasmus, James Vince, Jordan Cox, Mohammad Zuhaib Zubair, Rehan Ahmed, and Shimron Hetmyer

MI Emirates

New signees: Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Alzarri Joseph, Aryan Lakra, Ben Charlesworth, Fareed Ahmad, Romario Shepherd, Tom Banton, Thomas Draca, and Zahoor Khan.

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

Sharjah Warriorz

New signees: Tim Southee (captain), Adam Milne, Adil Rashid (played for Warriorz in Season 2 as a Wildcard pick), Ashton Agar, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Daniel Sams, Ethan D’ Souza, Harmeet Singh, Jason Roy, Karim Janat, Keemo Paul, Matthew Wade, Rohan Mustafa, Tim Seifert, Traveen Mathew and Virandeep Singh.

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

The post ZEE Entertainment announces Season 3 squads for DP World ILT20 appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

Bengaluru, 06^th December 2024: ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited, the official broadcaster of DP World International League T20, is all set to kick off the highly anticipated third edition of the tournament on January 11, 2025, featuring West Indies star Nicholas Pooran, who led MI Emirates to glory in the previous season. As MI Emirates prepare to get their title defence underway on Saturday, 11 January in Dubai, Pooran is set to bring his brilliance back to the field. The tournament’s growing reputation for competitiveness and its role as a platform for UAE players to develop have captured the attention of cricket fans globally.

Sharing his thoughts on the season ahead, Pooran remarked, “It’s nice to be back for the third season of the DP World ILT20. We’re really looking forward to this season. We’re hoping to do our best again this year and try to retain the title, but there’s a lot of hard work ahead for me and the team to make that happen.”

Reflecting on the competition’s intensity, the explosive left-hander added, “Each year, I feel the quality of the tournament keeps improving. The DP World ILT20 is doing a better job every single year. I think competitiveness is important and it feels like international cricket with nine overseas players and two UAE guys.”

Commenting on the upcoming tournament, Ashish Sehgal, Chief Growth Officer – Digital & Broadcast Revenue, Zee Entertainment Enterprise Limited said, “At Zee Entertainment, we are thrilled with the return of third edition of DP World ILT20 and the return of Nicholas Pooran adds immense value to the new edition. Pooran had a memorable tournament last year and we are confident that he will continue his tremendous form to provide more thrill and excitement for fans who are awaiting the return of famous stars for the new season. Through the month-long tournament, we will be offering an innovative and immersive experience for cricket fans across the globe. Building on the excellent response of last season, we aim to continue the momentum in broadcasting excellence and fan engagement. We are confident that the tournament will meet the expectations of the fans.”

As the second highest run scorer last season, Pooran struck 31 sixes, amassing 354 runs in ten innings at an enviable average of 50.57 and a strike rate of 170. On replicating his performance in the new campaign, he opined, “It’s obviously challenging. Every year, every competition brings new challenges. Going into this season, preparation begins over the Christmas period. I’m working on getting my body back in shape, hitting a lot of balls, and getting my mind in the right place. When January comes, hopefully, I’ll have some luck on my side. You play each game on its merit—every game is a new opportunity, and it’s about doing what the team needs. So, let’s see how the new season goes.”

Signing off with a message to the fans, the 29-year-old expressed his gratitude, saying, “We have passionate fans, not just here but in India and across the world. Hopefully, we can keep putting smiles on their faces and bring more titles to them.”

Cricket fans can watch this action-packed event on ZEE’s most widely distributed and viewed 15 linear TV channels: &Pictures SD, &Pictures HD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema 2, Zee Action, Zee Biskope, Zee Zest SD, Zee Cinemalu HD, Zee Telugu HD, Zee Thirai, Zee Tamil HD, Zee Kannada HD, Zee Zest HD, &Flix SD, &Flix HD and free to view on one of India’s leading OTT platform – ZEE5. The syndicate broadcast partners around the world will be announced in the coming days.

Through the tournament, Zee Entertainment is aiming for an even larger audience in its third season, targeting 230-million viewers. The strategies being employed to increase its footprints are multifaceted, focusing on the Indian market, which includes cricket lovers, advertisers, and the addition of South Indian channels.

Earlier this year, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) reported that the league’s second season reached 221 million viewers. The channel’s extensive distribution strategy ensured widespread accessibility in India and across the globe. With a notable 46% share of female viewership and 55% share of youth viewership, the league’s broad appeal in India underscores its status.

The post Nicholas Pooran Highlights the Growing Competitiveness of DP World ILT20; Exclusively broadcasted on ZEE Network and ZEE5  appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.