ILT20 Betting Tips 2026
Expert predictions for the International League T20 in UAE
Last updated: 10 January 2026
ILT20 Season 4 concluded on January 4, 2026 with Desert Vipers claiming their maiden title, defeating MI Emirates by 46 runs in a dominant final. Sam Curran’s unbeaten 74 led the charge as the Vipers became the fourth different champion in four seasons. We covered every match of the tournament with data-driven predictions, finding value bets in the match winner market using our probability model.
ILT20 2025-26 League Stage Standings
The league stage determined playoff qualification, with the top 4 teams advancing.
| Pos | Team | P | W | L | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Desert Vipers | 10 | 8 | 2 | 16 | +0.438 |
| 2 | MI Emirates | 10 | 7 | 3 | 14 | +0.676 |
| 3 | Dubai Capitals | 10 | 5 | 5 | 10 | +0.578 |
| 4 | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 10 | 4 | 6 | 8 | -0.559 |
| 5 | Gulf Giants | 10 | 3 | 7 | 6 | -0.310 |
| 6 | Sharjah Warriorz | 10 | 3 | 7 | 6 | -0.815 |
Playoffs & Final Tournament Positions
| Pos | Team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Desert Vipers | Champions (beat MI Emirates by 46 runs in Final) |
| 2 | MI Emirates | Runners-up (lost Final) |
| 3 | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Lost Qualifier 2 to MI Emirates |
| 4 | Dubai Capitals | Lost Eliminator to ADKR |
| 5 | Gulf Giants | Did not qualify for playoffs |
| 6 | Sharjah Warriorz | Did not qualify for playoffs |
The 6 ILT20 Teams
All six franchises represent different Emirates, with Abu Dhabi Knight Riders notably owned by the same group as Kolkata Knight Riders.
Desert Vipers
2026 Champions
Key Players: Sam Curran, Moeen Ali, Sherfane Rutherford
Home: Dubai
MI Emirates
2024 Champions
Key Players: Nicholas Pooran, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kusal Perera
Home: Abu Dhabi
Dubai Capitals
2025 Champions
Key Players: Rovman Powell, Shai Hope, Waqar Salamkheil
Home: Dubai
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
KKR-owned franchise
Key Players: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Phil Salt
Home: Abu Dhabi
Gulf Giants
2023 Champions (Inaugural)
Key Players: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, James Vince, Wanindu Hasaranga
Home: Abu Dhabi
Sharjah Warriorz
Sharjah-based franchise
Key Players: Johnson Charles, Adil Rashid
Home: Sharjah
Key Players to Watch
These are the match-winners who move betting markets. Watch for their matchups in our daily tips.
Batters
- Sam Curran (DV) — 2026 Player of Tournament. 397 runs + useful overs.
- Phil Salt (ADKR) — England opener. Explosive powerplay striker.
- Nicholas Pooran (MIE) — Most sixes in ILT20 history (71). Finisher.
- Alex Hales (ADKR) — All-time leading run-scorer (1,156 runs).
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (GG) — Afghan opener. 20 sixes in 2025-26.
Bowlers & All-rounders
- Fazalhaq Farooqi (MIE) — Only bowler with 50+ ILT20 wickets. Left-arm pace.
- Waqar Salamkheil (DC) — 2025-26 top wicket-taker (18 wickets).
- Wanindu Hasaranga (GG) — 39 wickets at 6.38 economy. Leg-spin maestro.
- Sunil Narine (ADKR) — Mystery spin. Economy under 6. Handy bat.
- Andre Russell (ADKR) — Power-hitting all-rounder. Game-changer.
ILT20 Venues & Pitch Guide
All matches are played across three UAE stadiums, each with distinct characteristics.
| Venue | Capacity | Avg Score | Pitch Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai International Stadium | 25,000 | 165-175 | "Ring of Fire" lights. True bounce, pace-friendly. Finals venue. |
| Sheikh Zayed Stadium (Abu Dhabi) | 20,000 | 155-165 | MI Emirates home. Slower surface, spin-friendly mid-overs. |
| Sharjah Cricket Stadium | 16,000 | 160-170 | Historic venue. Smaller boundaries, high-scoring. Short square. |
Venue Betting Tips
- Dubai: Balanced surface. Best team usually wins. Consistent par scores around 170.
- Abu Dhabi: Slower pitch favours spinners. Back “Under” on totals. Pacers struggle mid-innings.
- Sharjah: Small boundaries = big scores. Back “Over” on totals. Power-hitters thrive.
ILT20 History & Champions
A different champion in each of the first four seasons shows how competitive this league is.
| Season | Champion | Runner-up | Final Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Gulf Giants | Desert Vipers | Won by 7 wickets |
| 2024 | MI Emirates | Dubai Capitals | Won by 45 runs |
| 2025 | Dubai Capitals | Desert Vipers | Won by 4 wickets |
| 2026 | Desert Vipers | MI Emirates | Won by 46 runs |
ILT20 All-Time Records
| Record | Value | Holder |
|---|---|---|
| Most Runs (Career) | 1,156 | Alex Hales (9 fifties, 1 century) |
| Most Wickets (Career) | 50+ | Fazalhaq Farooqi (only bowler to 50) |
| Most Sixes (Career) | 71 | Nicholas Pooran |
| Best Bowling | 5/16 | Fazalhaq Farooqi vs Dubai Capitals |
| Highest Team Score | 220+ | MI Emirates |
Best ILT20 Betting Sites
Competitive odds on ILT20 match markets. These bookmakers accept Indian bettors with UPI/Paytm deposits.
How to Bet on ILT20
Available Markets
| Market | Description | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Match Winner | Most liquid market. Our focus. | Check toss result — chasing teams favoured in UAE |
| Top Team Batsman | Highest scorer for each team | Back openers in Sharjah, finishers in Abu Dhabi |
| Top Team Bowler | Most wickets for each team | Spinners at Abu Dhabi, pace at Dubai |
| Total Match Runs | Over/under on combined score | Sharjah: Over. Abu Dhabi: Under. Dubai: Par. |
| Outright Winner | Tournament winner | Best value early season before form emerges |
Our Edge-Based Approach
We don’t just predict winners — we find value. Our process:
- Calculate win probability using historical data, squad strength, venue stats
- Compare to bookmaker odds to find the implied probability — use our implied probability calculator to convert odds
- Identify positive edge when our probability exceeds the market
- Recommend bets only when edge ≥ 2% — below that, variance is too high
For detailed methodology, see our cricket betting guide.
Where to Watch ILT20 in India
| Platform | Type | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Zee5 | Streaming | Subscription |
| Zee Cinema | TV | Cable/DTH subscription |
| Sky Sports | TV (UK) | Sky subscription |
| Willow TV | TV (USA) | Cable subscription |
Match Times (IST):
- Afternoon matches: 3:30 PM IST
- Evening matches: 8:00 PM IST
- Double-headers on select days
ILT20 Betting Tips FAQ
What is ILT20?
ILT20 (International League T20) is the UAE's premier T20 franchise league, launched in 2023. Six teams compete in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah each December-January. It features international stars and players from UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.
When is ILT20 2025-26?
ILT20 Season 4 ran from December 2, 2025 to January 4, 2026. The tournament featured 34 matches across 3 UAE venues, with the final held at Dubai International Stadium.
Who won ILT20 2026?
Desert Vipers won their maiden ILT20 title in 2026, defeating MI Emirates by 46 runs in the final. Sam Curran scored an unbeaten 74 and was named Player of the Match.
Where can I watch ILT20 in India?
ILT20 is broadcast on Zee5 (streaming) and Zee Cinema (TV) in India. Zee Entertainment is the global broadcast partner. Match times are typically 3:30 PM and 8:00 PM IST.
Which teams play in ILT20?
Six franchises compete: Desert Vipers (2026 champions), MI Emirates, Dubai Capitals, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Gulf Giants, and Sharjah Warriorz. ADKR is owned by KKR's owners.
What betting markets are available for ILT20?
ILT20 offers match winner, top team batsman, top team bowler, total match runs (over/under), player runs/wickets, and outright tournament winner. Match winner is the most liquid market with competitive odds.
How does ILT20 squad composition work?
Each squad needs minimum 11 players from Full Member nations, 4 from UAE (including 1 U23), 1 from Kuwait, 1 from Saudi Arabia, and 2 from other Associate Nations. Teams can field up to 9 overseas players in the XI.
Who are the top performers in ILT20 history?
Alex Hales leads all-time run-scoring with 1,156 runs. Fazalhaq Farooqi is the only bowler to reach 50 wickets. Nicholas Pooran holds the record for most sixes (71).
More T20 League Betting Tips
Looking for predictions in other leagues? We cover all major T20 tournaments with the same data-driven approach:
SA20 Tips
South Africa T20 predictions
BBL Tips
Big Bash League predictions
PSL Tips
Pakistan Super League tips
IPL Tips
Indian Premier League tips
ILT20 Season 5 is expected to return in December 2026. We will publish outright winner predictions and daily match tips when the schedule is announced.
Odds were accurate during ILT20 2025-26 season. Betting involves risk. Please gamble responsibly.