Stellar line-up set for DP World ILT20 Season 2

DUBAI: Some of the world’s biggest cricket stars will represent the six DP World ILT20 franchises in Season 2 of the UAE’s biggest cricket league — the second most-watched in India.

Australia’s all-format opener David Warner, of the Dubai Capitals, is among the full list of superstars that the six teams have signed for Season 2.

Warner, with 350 internationals for Australia, is already a great of the game with his batting feats on the world stage. The left-hander has played 356 T20s around the world, amassing 11,695 runs with the help of eight centuries. 

England’s Mark Wood has also joined the Capitals, and is rated among the fastest bowlers in the world, having produced some match-winning performances in the recent past.

In addition to Warner and Wood, the Capitals have brought back Sri Lanka all-rounder Dasun Shanaka. Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who scored 168 runs in eight innings for the Sharjah Warriors last season, has also made the move, alongside English wicketkeeper-batter Sam Billings, who scored 285 runs in 11 innings for the Desert Vipers in Season 1.

England’s seasoned white-ball pacer David Willey (107 internationals) leads the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ new signings. Willey adds to the squad a wealth of T20 experience with 269 matches. Ireland’s talented left-armer Josh Little joins Willey as one of Knight Riders’ new signings, along with England’s richly experienced all-rounder Ravi Bopara (171 internationals, 458 T20s) who has moved from the Capitals.

Prolific limited overs’ all-rounder Shadab Khan (259 T20s, 2,562 runs and 289 wickets) who has captained Pakistan in T20Is, joins countrymen Shaheen Shah Afridi (announced last week) and big-hitting Azam Khan at the Vipers, alongside