Defending champions Desert Vipers will kick off Season 5 of the International League T20 (ILT20) with a clash against last year’s finalists and Season 2 winners, MI Emirates. The opening fixture, a repeat of the previous season’s final, is scheduled for November 21 at the Dubai International Stadium. Evening matches throughout the tournament will begin at 6:30 pm local time, securing a prime-time slot for viewers in India.
Action continues on the opening weekend with a double-header. The second match of the season features Sharjah Warriorz playing Season 1 champions Gulf Giants at 2:00 pm at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Later that Sunday, Season 3 champions Dubai Capitals will start their campaign against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Dubai International Stadium.
The Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi will host its first game on Thursday, November 26, when Abu Dhabi Knight Riders take on MI Emirates. To mark UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) on December 2, the league has scheduled a special double-header. The afternoon game will see Abu Dhabi Knight Riders play Desert Vipers in Abu Dhabi, followed by an evening encounter between Dubai Capitals and MI Emirates in Dubai.
The 34-match tournament follows a double round-robin format, with each of the six franchises playing 10 group games. The top four teams from the 30-match group stage will advance to the four-match playoffs, culminating in the final on December 20 in Dubai. The 30-day tournament will feature six double-header matchdays in total.
ILT20 Season 5 Match Schedule (All times IST)
- Saturday, 21 November: Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates – 8 pm, Dubai
- Sunday, 22 November: Sharjah Warriorz vs Gulf Giants – 3:30 pm, Sharjah
- Sunday, 22 November: Dubai Capitals vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – 8 pm, Dubai
- Monday, 23 November: Sharjah Warriorz vs Desert Vipers – 8 pm, Sharjah
- Tuesday, 24 November: Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates – 8 pm, Dubai
- Wednesday, 25 November: Dubai Capitals vs Desert Vipers – 8 pm, Dubai
- Thursday, 26 November: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs MI Emirates – 8 pm, Abu Dhabi
- Friday, 27 November: Sharjah Warriorz vs Dubai Capitals – 8 pm, Sharjah
- Saturday, 28 November: MI Emirates vs Desert Vipers – 3:30 pm, Abu Dhabi
- Saturday, 28 November: Gulf Giants vs Dubai Capitals – 8 pm, Dubai
- Sunday, 29 November: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Sharjah Warriorz – 3:30 pm, Abu Dhabi
- Sunday, 29 November: Desert Vipers vs Gulf Giants – 8 pm, Dubai
- Monday, 30 November: MI Emirates vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – 8 pm, Abu Dhabi
- Tuesday, 1 December: Gulf Giants vs Sharjah Warriorz – 8 pm, Sharjah
- Wednesday, 2 December: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Desert Vipers – 3:30 pm, Abu Dhabi
- Wednesday, 2 December: Dubai Capitals vs MI Emirates – 8 pm, Dubai
- Thursday, 3 December: Gulf Giants vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – 8 pm, Dubai
- Friday, 4 December: Desert Vipers vs Sharjah Warriorz – 8 pm, Sharjah
- Saturday, 5 December: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Gulf Giants – 8 pm, Abu Dhabi
- Sunday, 6 December: MI Emirates vs Sharjah Warriorz – 3:30 pm, Abu Dhabi
- Sunday, 6 December: Desert Vipers vs Dubai Capitals – 6:30 pm, Dubai
- Monday, 7 December: MI Emirates vs Gulf Giants – 8 pm, Abu Dhabi
- Tuesday, 8 December: Dubai Capitals vs Sharjah Warriorz – 8 pm, Dubai
- Wednesday, 9 December: Sharjah Warriorz vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – 8 pm, Sharjah
- Thursday, 10 December: Dubai Capitals vs Gulf Giants – 8 pm, Dubai
- Friday, 11 December: Sharjah Warriorz vs MI Emirates – 8 pm, Sharjah
- Saturday, 12 December: Desert Vipers vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – 8 pm, Dubai
- Sunday, 13 December: MI Emirates vs Dubai Capitals – 3:30 pm, Abu Dhabi
- Sunday, 13 December: Gulf Giants vs Desert Vipers – 8 pm, Dubai
- Monday, 14 December: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Dubai Capitals – 8 pm, Abu Dhabi
Playoff Schedule
- Wednesday, 16 December (Qualifier 1): Seed 1 vs Seed 2 – 8 pm, Abu Dhabi
- Thursday, 17 December (Eliminator): Seed 3 vs Seed 4 – 8 pm, Dubai
- Friday, 18 December (Qualifier 2): Loser of Q1 vs Winner of Eliminator – 8 pm, Sharjah
- Sunday, 20 December (Final): Winner of Q1 vs Winner of Q2 – 8 pm, Dubai
