Dubai: Rashid Khan, one of the most prolific wicket-takers in T20 cricket, is set to make his return to the International League T20 (ILT20) with MI Emirates. The Afghanistan spin sensation joins the squad as a replacement player for Jordan Thompson, who has been sidelined due to injury.
This marks Rashid’s return to the ILT20 after three seasons, having spent the last couple of years leading MI Cape Town in the SA20 league. The staggered schedules of both tournaments allowed several overseas players, including Rashid, to participate in both competitions. The SA20 season is scheduled to begin on December 26, enabling his ILT20 stint first.
Rashid had already made an impact in the ILT20, claiming four wickets in two games, and will now form a crucial spin trio alongside Shakib Al Hasan and AM Ghazanfar for MI Emirates. With Jordan Thompson unavailable, MI Emirates will rely on all-rounders Romario Shepherd and Shakib Al Hasan, while Chris Woakes will bolster the lower order.
Captaincy Update: MI Emirates have handed the captaincy to Kieron Pollard, replacing Nicholas Pooran, who is set to join MI Cape Town for the SA20 season. Several players participating in both leagues have agreed to join their SA20 teams late, with the ILT20 scheduled to conclude on January 4, 2026.
MI Emirates’ Campaign: The franchise will open their ILT20 2025 campaign against the Gulf Giants, the inaugural champions, on Thursday, December 4.
MI Emirates Squad: Andre Fletcher, Jonny Bairstow, Nicholas Pooran (w), Muhammad Waseem, Kieron Pollard (c), Romario Shepherd, Shakib Al Hasan, Chris Woakes, Naveen-ul-Haq, Zahoor Khan, Ackeem Auguste, Arab Gul Momand, Muhammad Rohid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Kamindu Mendis, Zain Ul Abidin, Mohamed Shafeeq, Nosthush Kenjige, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rashid Khan, Tajinder Dhillon, Tom Banton.
