Two Pakistan players retained by Desert Vipers for ILT20 season 3

Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, David Warner, and Mohammad Amir are among the 69 players retained by their respective ILT20 franchises ahead of the third season. The retention list for ILT20 season 3 reveals strategic moves by the franchises to maintain a competitive edge.

Captain Pooran, Dwayne Bravo, Akeal Hosein, Kieron Pollard, and Fazalhaq Farooqi are also among the defending champions MI Emirates' retained players. However, Trent Boult, who played a crucial role for the Emirates last season, has not been retained. Captain Narine and Russell are among the 11 players Abu Dhabi Knight Riders retained, alongside talents like David Willey, Charith Asalanka, and USA's Ali Khan and Andries Gous.

In addition to Mohammad Amir, the Desert Vipers have secured the services of Wanindu Hasaranga, Alex Hales, and Azam Khan. Fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Matheesha Pathirana are absent from the retention list.

Dubai Capitals, led by Captain Warner, have retained key players such as Rovman Powell, Sam Billings, and Jake Fraser-McGurk. However, England's Joe Root and Mark Wood, who were part of the squad last year, have been left out. Gulf Giants' retention list is headlined by Shimron Hetmyer and captain James Vince, but USA's Saurabh Netravalkar and Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rehman are not on the list. The Sharjah Warriors have retained eight players, including Kusal Mendis, captain Tom Kohler-Cadmore, and Johnson Charles.

Each franchise has also retained two UAE players, and there was no limit on the retention of international players. Teams can now sign new players in the ongoing player acquisition window, which will remain open until September 15. The franchises must also complete their quota of four UAE signings after the ILT20 development tournament in October.

The third season of the ILT20 is scheduled to be played from January 11 to February 9, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah.

ILT20 retention list:

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Aditya Shetty, Ali Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Andre Russell, Andries Gous, Charith Asalanka, David Willey, Joe Clarke, Laurie Evans, Micheal Pepper and Sunil Narine.

Desert Vipers: Adam Hose, Alex Hales, Ali Naseer, Azam Khan, Bas de Leede, Luke Wood, Micheal Jones, Mohammad Amir, Nathan Sowter, Sherfane Rutherford, Tanish Suri and Wanindu Hasaranga.

Dubai Capitals: Dasun Shanaka, David Warner, Dushmantha Chameera, Haider Ali, Raja Akif, Rovman Powell, Sam Billings, Sikandar Raza, Zahir Khan, Jake Fraser McGurk and Oliver Stone.

Gulf Giants: Aayan Afzal Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Chris Jordan, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gerhard Erasmus, Jamie Overton, James Vince, Jamie Smith, Jordan Cox, Mohammad Zohaib Zubair, Rehan Ahmed, Richard Gleeson and Shimron Hetmyer.

MI Emirates: Akeal Hosein, Andre Fletcher, Daniel Mousley, Dwayne Bravo, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Jordan Thompson, Kieron Pollard, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Muhammad Waseem, Nicholas Pooran, Nosthush Kenjige, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Waqar Salamkheil.

Sharjah Warriors: Dilshan Madushanka, Johnson Charles, Junaid Siddique, Muhamad Jawadullah, Kusal Mendis, Luke Wells, Peter Hatzoglou and Tom Kohler-Cadmore.