The UAE’s home T20 franchise competition starts on Saturday when the third season of the DP World International T20 gets under way.
The campaign will begin at Dubai International Stadium with a rerun of last year’s final between MI Emirates, the defending champions, and Dubai Capitals.
Opening ceremony
The organisers opted against a starry opening ceremony last year after Jason Derulo performed ahead of the debut season in 2023.
This time around the first match will be prefaced by a performance by Bollywood stars Shahid Kapoor, Pooja Hegde and Sonam Bajwa. That will start at 6pm, with the cricket due to start at 7.15pm.
Schedule
Other than Saturday’s opening night, most matches will start at 6.30pm, with early matches on weekends at 2pm, and the second match on weekends starting at 6pm.
How to watch
The matches can be watched live in the UAE on Abu Dhabi TV, Dubai TV and Myco, as well as the ILT20’s YouTube channel. Talk FM Radio 100.3 will also have commentary.
It will be shown on many of Zee TV’s channels in India, Samsung TV Plus and Rakuten TV in Europe, Tapmad in Pakistan, and Styx Sports in Nepal.
Tickets
Admission starts at Dh15 for six to 16 years, and Dh20 for adults. Tickets are available here.
Teams
The same six teams who started out the first ILT20 two years ago remain – with the only slight amendment being the fact the Sharjah Warriors now have a funky z added to their name, having become the Warriorz.
Gulf Giants were the first winners in 2023, before MI Emirates – an offshoot of IPL side Mumbai Indians – took their title last year.
Dubai Capitals and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders are also affiliates of IPL teams, while Desert Vipers have the same owners as Manchester United.
Players to watch
Phil Salt (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders): The world’s No 2-ranked T20I batter has a strong affinity with the UAE capital, having previously represented Team Abu Dhabi in T10.
ADKR’s first match: Sunday, January 12, 2pm, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
Fakhar Zaman (Desert Vipers): The big-hitting left-hander is the biggest name import from Pakistan. He will be back at the grounds where he first made his name in the Pakistan Super League.
Vipers’ first match: Sunday, January 12, 2pm, Zayed Cricket Stadium.
David Warner (Dubai Capitals): Retired from international cricket and in the IPL sidings, but the former Australia opener is likely to remain as competitive as ever.
Capitals’ first game: Saturday, January 11, 7.15pm, Dubai International Stadium.
Dipendra Singh Airee (Gulf Giants): One of a select group to have hit six sixes in an over in international cricket. The Nepal all-rounder is one of the most electric fielders in the world.
Giants’ first game: Sunday, January 12, 6pm, Dubai International Stadium.
Muhammad Waseem (MI Emirates): Everyone knows about his MI batting colleague Nicholas Pooran. But more people should know about the brilliance of the UAE captain.
MI’s first game: Saturday, January 11, 7.15pm, Dubai International Stadium.
Tim Southee (Sharjah Warriorz): Ended a great New Zealand Test career earlier this winter. Now he will be captaining the Sharjah franchise in ILT20.
Warriorz’s first game: Sunday, January 12, 6pm, Dubai International Stadium.
Home hopes
Two places per starting XI are reserved for UAE-based players. They do not need to be eligible just yet for the national team, but at least be in the process of qualifying.
Rohan Mustafa, the long-serving former national team captain, has switched from Desert Vipers to Sharjah Warriorz for the new season. He will play alongside fellow UAE players Mohammed Jawadullah and Junaid Siddique.
The Vipers have Dhruv Parashar, Ali Naseer and Tanish Suri, a young trio in whom great hopes are invested for the future of UAE cricket.
Big-hitting middle-order batter Saghir Khan is an intriguing signing for Gulf Giants, where spin duo Aayan Khan and Zuhaib Zubair excelled last season.
Alishan Sharafu remains key to AD Knight Riders’ hopes, having made his name with them last season against an all-star Vipers bowling attack.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
RESULTS
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ) by decision.
Women’s bantamweight
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) beat Cornelia Holm (SWE) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (PAL) beat Vitalii Stoian (UKR) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) beat Ali Dyusenov (UZB) by unanimous decision.
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) beat Delfin Nawen (PHI) TKO round-3.
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) beat Emad Hanbali (SYR) KO round 1.
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Ramadan Noaman (EGY) TKO round 2.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) beat Reydon Romero (PHI) submission 1.
Welterweight
Juho Valamaa (FIN) beat Ahmed Labban (LEB) by unanimous decision.
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) beat Austin Arnett (USA) by unanimous decision.
Super heavyweight
Maciej Sosnowski (POL) beat Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) by submission round 1.
Boulder shooting victims
• Denny Strong, 20
• Neven Stanisic, 23
• Rikki Olds, 25
• Tralona Bartkowiak, 49
• Suzanne Fountain, 59
• Teri Leiker, 51
• Eric Talley, 51
• Kevin Mahoney, 61
• Lynn Murray, 62
• Jody Waters, 65
THE TWIN BIO
Their favourite city: Dubai
Their favourite food: Khaleeji
Their favourite past-time : walking on the beach
Their favorite quote: ‘we rise by lifting others’ by Robert Ingersoll
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
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Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
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Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
