International cricket stars return for second season of DP World ILT20

The DP World ILT20 is back for its second season and the six teams have confirmed a star-studded list of players who will return for the tournament, which is slated to start in the second week of January.

International T20 stars Alex Hales and Wanindu Hasaranga (Desert Vipers), James Vince (Gulf Giants), Nicholas Pooran, Keiron Pollard and UAE captain Muhammad Waseem (MI Emirates), Andre Russell (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), Chris Woakes (Sharjah Warriors) and Sikandar Raza (Dubai Capitals) have all been retained.

The champions Gulf Giants have kept the core of their winning squad, led by captain James Vince, and include Chris Jordan, Australian big hitter Chris Lynn, West Indies pair Shimron Hetmyer and all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite, and the UAE’s Aayan Afzal Khan and Sanchit Sharma.

Last year’s finalists Desert Vipers have brought back the opening season’s top-scorer Hales, along with captain Colin Munro, Sri Lanka spinner Hasaranga and Sherfane Rutherford.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have retained their 2012 and 2016 T20 World Cup winner Russell, spinner Sunil Narine and UAE internationals Sabir Ali and Matiullah Khan.

Rovman Powell, the West Indian who captained the side in the early stages of Season 1 is back with the Dubai Capitals.

He is joined by England stalwart Joe Root, Sri Lanka fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera and the Zimbabwean star performer Sikandar Raza, as well as UAE pacer Raja Akif.

MI Emirates retention list is led by Pollard. The West Indian T20 great captained the side to the play-offs in the inaugural season.

He is joined by compatriot Dwayne Bravo, Nicholas Pooran and New Zealander Trent Boult. UAE player Waseem, who set Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah ablaze with his sensational batting in the inaugural