National: ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) and Emirates Cricket Board have announced the retained players for DP World International League T20 Season 3. Six teams kept 69 players for the league, set to run from January 11 to February 9, 2025, in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi.
The retained players include T20 heavyweights like David Warner, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and others such as Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, and Chris Jordan.
Out of the 69 retained players, 26 joined ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 squads, showcasing the league’s global impact. ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited announced the league’s second season attracted 221 million viewers earlier this year, with a broad distribution strategy for wide accessibility in India and worldwide.
As the third season approaches, ZEE Entertainment promises to deliver captivating action in an engaging and dynamic fashion across its linear channels and OTT platform, ZEE5.
Commenting upon this announcement, Ashish Sehgal, Chief Growth Officer – ZEEL, said, “It gives us great pleasure to reveal the plethora of cricket stars retained for the upcoming season of DP World ILT20. With some of the biggest names in cricket, the third season of DP World ILT20 promises to be one of the most competitive cricket leagues globally. The international appeal and interest in the league continue to rise, and we are thrilled to bring this cricketing spectacle to audiences worldwide.”
The player retention window opened on 1st June, allowing teams two weeks to submit their lists. Season 3 will feature renowned T20 players worldwide. All six franchises have retained two UAE players each.
Key UAE players for Season 3 are: Aditya Shetty, Alishan Sharafu (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders); Ali Naseer, Tanish Suri (Desert Vipers); Haider Ali, Raja Akif (Dubai Capitals); Aayan Afzal Khan, Mohammad Zohaib Zubair (Gulf Giants); Muhammad Rohid Khan, Muhammad Waseem (MI Emirates); Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah (Sharjah Warriors).
Retained players for DP World ILT20 Season 3:
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, David Willey, Chaith Asalanka,Joe Clarke, Micheal Pepper, Andries Ghous, Laurie Evans, Aditya Shetty, Ali Khan, Alishan Sharafu.
Desert Vipers: Alex Hales, Sherfane Rutherford,Wanindu Hasaranga, Luke Wood, Micheal Jones, Adam Hose, Ali Naseer, Bas de Leede, Nathan Sowter and Tanish Suri.
Dubai Capitals: David Warner,Rovman Powell, Sam Billings, Sikandar Raza, Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera, Jake Fraser McGurk, Oliver Stone, Haider Ali, Raja Akif and Zahir Khan,
Gulf Giants: Shimron Hetmyer, Chris Jordan, James Vince, Jamie Smith, Jordan Cox, Gerhard Erasmus, Jamie Overton, Richard Gleeson Aayan Afzal Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Dipendra Singh Airee, Mohammad Zohaib Zubair andRehan Ahmed.
MI Emirates: Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo,Kusal Perera, Akeal Hosein, Andre Fletcher, Daniel Mousley, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Jordan Thompson, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Nosthush Kenjige, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Waqar Salamkheil.
Sharjah Warriors:Johnson Charles, Kusal Mendis, Luke Wells, Dilshan Madushanka, Tom Kohler-Cadmore,Peter Hatzoglou,Junaid Siddique and Muhamad Jawadullah.
