ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), a leading content and entertainment powerhouse in India, in collaboration with the Emirates Cricket Board, has unveiled the list of retained players for the much-anticipated third season of the DP World International League T20 (ILT20).

The tournament, set to take place from January 11 to February 9, 2025, will be hosted across Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi.

A total of 69 players have been retained by the six franchise teams, featuring some of the biggest names in T20 cricket. Among the star-studded list are David Warner, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Alex Hales, Sherfane Rutherford, Wanindu Hasaranga, Rovman Powell, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Shimron Hetmyer, Sam Billings, David Willey, Dasun Shanaka, Sikandar Raza, Chris Jordan, James Vince, Akeal Hosein, Johnson Charles, and Tom Kohler-Cadmore.

Highlighting the league’s global appeal, 26 retained players were part of various squads in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. This retention underscores the ILT20’s status as a premier platform for international cricket talent. Earlier this year, ZEEL reported that the league’s second season reached an impressive 221 million viewers, thanks to ZEEL‘s extensive distribution strategy that ensured the tournament’s accessibility in India and globally.

As the third season approaches, ZEEL aims to deliver even more captivating cricket action through its linear channels and OTT platform, ZEE5. Ashish Sehgal, Chief Growth Officer at ZEEL, commented, “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 retention window, which opened on June 1, gave teams two weeks to submit their retained player lists. Each franchise has retained two UAE players, ensuring local talent is well-represented.

The UAE players retained for Season 3 are:

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Aditya Shetty, Alishan Sharafu
Desert Vipers: Ali Naseer, Tanish Suri
Dubai Capitals: Haider Ali, Raja Akif
Gulf Giants: Aayan Afzal Khan, Mohammad Zohaib Zubair
MI Emirates: Muhammad Rohid Khan, Muhammad Waseem
Sharjah Warriors: Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah

With the retention phase complete, teams can now sign new players during the ongoing Player Acquisition Window, which remains open until September 15. Each franchise can sign at least two additional UAE players to meet their quota of four UAE signings, following the ILT20 Development Tournament scheduled for October.