2026 Abu Dhabi Knight Riders season

2026-11-02T05:37:47Z

Saleem:

{{Infobox cricket club season
| club = Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
| season = [[2025-26 International League T20|2025-26]]
| image = Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium-01.jpg
| imagesize = 250px
| caption = Zayed Cricket Stadium, home ground of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
| coach = [[Dwayne Bravo]]
| captain = [[Jason Holder]]
| ground = [[Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium]], [[Abu Dhabi]]
| most runs =
| most wickets =
| most catches =
| most dismissals =
| prevseason = [[2025 Abu Dhabi Knight Riders season|2025]]
| nextseason = [[2027 Abu Dhabi Knight Riders season|2027]]
}}
The '''2026 season''' was the fourth season for the [[International League T20]] franchise [[Abu Dhabi Knight Riders]]. They were one of the six teams that competed in the [[2025-26 International League T20]]. The team finished in sixth place in the [[2025 International League T20|previous season]]'s league stage.<ref>{{cite web |title=2025 International League T20 {{!}} Team Standings |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/international-league-t20-2024-25-1462172/points-table-standings |access-date=11 March 2026 |work=[[ESPNCricinfo]]}}</ref>

== Pre-season ==
{{further|List of 2025–26 International League T20 auctions and personnel signings}}
=== Retentions and signings ===
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders retained five players from last season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Narine, Russell, Salt among big retentions for ADKR; Livingstone, Hales and Rutherford signed for ILT20 2025-26|url=https://www.adkriders.com/news/narine-russell-salt-among-big-retentions-for-adkr-livingstone-hales-and-rutherford-signed-for-ilt20-2025#:~:text=The%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Knight%20Riders%20(ADKR)%20have,who%20will%20add%20depth%20to%20the%20all%2Drounders |work=[[Abu Dhabi Knight Riders]] |access-date=11 March 2026}}</ref> The team additionally signed three international players in their squad for the season.<ref>{{cite web |title=ILT20: Powell, Ghazanfar retained; Hales, Livingstone among new signings|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ilt20-powell-ghazanfar-retained-hales-livingstone-among-new-signings-1493816 |work=[[ESPNCricinfo]] |access-date=11 March 2026|date=7 July 2025}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
|+ Retained players
|-
! scope="col" | Player
! scope="col" | Country
|-
| [[Andre Russell]] || {{JAM}}
|-
| [[Alishan Sharafu]] || {{UAE}}
|-
| [[Charith Asalanka]] || {{SRI}}
|-
| [[Phil Salt]] || {{ENG}}
|-
| [[Sunil Narine]] || {{TTO}}
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
|+ Signed players
|-
! scope="col" | Player
! scope="col" | Country
|-
| [[Alex Hales]] || {{ENG}}
|-
| [[Liam Livingstone]] || {{ENG}}
|-
| [[Sherfane Rutherford]] || {{GUY}}
|}

=== Auction summary ===
The auction took place on 1 October 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ilt20.ae/news/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-dp-world-ilt20-season-4-player-auction|title=All you need to know about the DP World ILT20 Season 4 Player Auction|access-date=30 September 2025|work=[[International League T20]]}}</ref> Abu Dhabi spent {{USD|1457000}} and bought 11 players, including [[Brandon McMullen]], [[Michael Pepper (cricketer)|Michael Pepper]], and [[Unmukt Chand]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/abu-dhabi-knight-riders-full-squad-after-ilt20-2025-auction/articleshow/124274986.cms|title=Abu Dhabi Knight Riders full squad after ILT20 2025 auction|access-date=13 March 2026|work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
|+ Players bought
|-
! scope="col" | Player
! scope="col" | Country
! scope="col" | Salary (in US$)
! scope="col" | Player
! scope="col" | Country
! scope="col" | Salary (in US$)
|-
| [[Brandon McMullen]] || {{cr|SCO}} || 110,000
| || || 10,000
|-
| [[Michael Pepper (cricketer)|Michael Pepper]] || {{cr|ENG}} || 40,000
| || || 10,000
|-
| [[Unmukt Chand]] || {{cr|USA}} || 40,000
| || || 10,000
|-
| [[Ibrar Ahmad]] || {{cr|UAE}} || 22,000
| || || 10,000
|-
| [[George Garton]] || {{cr|ENG}} || 10,000
| || || 10,000
|-
| [[Ajay Kumar (Emirati cricketer)|Ajay Kumar]] || {{cr|UAE}} || 10,000
| colspan=3 {{n/a}}
|}

=== Wildcard picks ===

== League Stage ==
=== Points table ===
{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=CricketRR
|update=complete
|source=[https://ileaguet20.com/points-table/ ILT20]
|show_tie=no
|show_bonus_points=no
|winpoints=2
|nrpoints=1

|result1=Q
|result2=Q
|result3=E
|result4=E
|result5=P
|result6=P

|team_order=DV, MIE, DC, ADKR, GG, SW

|win_ADKR=4 |loss_ADKR=6 |nr_ADKR= |nrr_ADKR=-0.559
|win_DV=8 |loss_DV=2 |nr_DV= |nrr_DV=0.438
|win_DC=5 |loss_DC=5 |nr_DC= |nrr_DC=0.578
|win_GG=3 |loss_GG=7 |nr_GG= |nrr_GG=-0.310
|win_MIE=7 |loss_MIE=3 |nr_MIE= |nrr_MIE=0.676
|win_SW=3 |loss_SW=7 |nr_SW= |nrr_SW=-0.815

|name_ADKR=[[Abu Dhabi Knight Riders]] '''(3rd)'''
|name_DV=[[Desert Vipers]]
|name_DC=[[Dubai Capitals]] '''(4th)'''
|name_GG=[[Gulf Giants]]
|name_MIE=[[MI Emirates]]
|name_SW=[[Sharjah Warriorz]]

|res_col_header=Q
|col_Q=#cfc
|text_Q=Advance to [[#Qualifier 1|Qualifier 1]]
|col_E=#ffc
|text_E=Advance to [[#Eliminator|Eliminator]]
|text_P=Eliminated

| status_DV = C
| status_MIE = R
| status_text_C = Champions
| status_text_R = Runners-up
}}

=== Fixtures ===
{{Single-innings cricket match
| round = {{anchor|match2}} '''Match 2'''
| date = 3 December 2025
| time = 18:30
| night = y
| team1 = [[Abu Dhabi Knight Riders]]
| team2 = [[Sharjah Warriorz]]
| score1 = 233/4 (20 overs)
| runs1 = [[Liam Livingstone]] 82[[not out|*]] (38)
| wickets1 = [[Adil Rashid]] 2/31 (4 overs)
| score2 = 194/9 (20 overs)
| runs2 = [[Tim David]] 60 (24)
| wickets2 = [[George Garton]] 2/24 (2 overs)
| result = Abu Dhabi Knight Riders won by 39 runs
| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1501319.html Scorecard]
| venue = [[Sharjah Cricket Stadium]], [[Sharjah]]
| umpires = [[Ahmad Shah Pakteen]] (Afg) and [[Martin Saggers]] (Eng)
| motm = [[Liam Livingstone]] (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders)
| toss = Sharjah Warriorz won the toss and elected to field.
| rain =
| notes = Raees Ahmed (Sharjah Warriorz) and Ajay Kumar (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders) made their T20 debuts.
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
| round = {{anchor|match4}} '''Match 4'''
| date = 5 December 2025
| time = 18:30
| night = y
| team1 = [[Abu Dhabi Knight Riders]]
| team2 = [[Desert Vipers]]
| score1 = 171/6 (20 overs)
| runs1 = [[Alex Hales]] 53 (37)
| wickets1 = [[Qais Ahmad]] 2/29 (4 overs)
| score2 = 175/8 (19.3 overs)
| runs2 = [[Shimron Hetmyer]] 48 (25)
| wickets2 = Ajay Kumar 3/21 (4 overs)
| result = Desert Vipers won by 2 wickets
| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1501321.html Scorecard]
| venue = [[Sharjah Cricket Stadium]], [[Sharjah]]
| umpires = [[Asif Iqbal (Emirati cricketer)|Asif Iqbal]] (UAE) and [[Wayne Knights]] (NZ)
| motm = [[Shimron Hetmyer]] (Desert Vipers)
| toss = Desert Vipers won the toss and elected to field.
| rain =
| notes =
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
| round = {{anchor|match7}} '''Match 7'''
| date = 7 December 2025
| time = 18:30
| night = y
| team1 = [[Dubai Capitals]]
| team2 = [[Abu Dhabi Knight Riders]]
| score1 = 186/4 (20 overs)
| runs1 = [[Rovman Powell]] 96[[not out|*]] (52)
| wickets1 = [[Jason Holder]] 2/30 (4 overs)
| score2 = 103 (15.3 overs)
| runs2 = [[Phil Salt]] 27 (21)
| wickets2 = [[Waqar Salamkheil]] 4/29 (3.3 overs)
| result = Dubai Capitals won by 83 runs
| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1501324.html Scorecard]
| venue = [[Dubai International Cricket Stadium]], [[Dubai]]
| umpires = [[Aasif Iqbal]] (UAE) and [[Wayne Knights]] (NZ)
| motm = [[Rovman Powell]] (Dubai Capitals)
| toss = Abu Dhabi Knight Riders won the toss and elected to field.
| rain =
| notes =
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
| round = {{anchor|match11}} '''Match 11'''
| date = 11 December 2025
| time = 18:30
| night = y
| team1 = [[Abu Dhabi Knight Riders]]
| team2 = [[MI Emirates]]
| score1 = 122 (19.3 overs)
| runs1 = [[Alishan Sharafu]] 38 (34)
| wickets1 = [[Fazalhaq Farooqi]] 4/14 (3.3 overs)
| score2 = 123/3 (13.5 overs)
| runs2 = [[Jonny Bairstow]] 49[[not out|*]] (38)
| wickets2 = [[Jason Holder]] 1/11 (2 overs)
| result = MI Emirates won by 7 wickets
| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1501328.html Scorecard]
| venue = [[Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium]], [[Abu Dhabi]]
| umpires = [[Aasif Iqbal]] (UAE) and [[Wayne Knights]] (NZ)
| motm = [[Kamindu Mendis]] (MI Emirates)
| toss = MI Emirates won the toss and elected to field.
| rain =
| notes =
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
| round = {{anchor|match13}} '''Match 13'''
| date = 13 December 2025
| time = 18:30
| night = y
| team2 = [[Abu Dhabi Knight Riders]]
| team1 = [[Dubai Capitals]]
| score1 = 196/5 (20 overs)
| runs1 = [[Shayan Jahangir]] 99 (54)
| wickets1 = [[Jason Holder]] 2/22 (4 overs)
| score2 = 187/8 (20 overs)
| runs2 = [[Andre Russell]] 53[[not out|*]] (33)
| wickets2 = [[Waqar Salamkheil]] 3/34 (4 overs)
| result = Dubai Capitals won by 9 runs
| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1501330.html Scorecard]
| venue = [[Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium]], [[Abu Dhabi]]
| umpires = [[Akbar Ali (umpire)|Akbar Ali]] (UAE) and [[Martin Saggers]] (Eng)
| motm = [[Shayan Jahangir]] (Dubai Capitals)
| toss = Abu Dhabi Knight Riders won the toss and elected to field.
| rain =
| notes =
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
| round = {{anchor|match17}} '''Match 17'''
| date = 16 December 2025
| time = 18:30
| night = y
| team1 = [[Abu Dhabi Knight Riders]]
| team2 = [[Desert Vipers]]
| score1 = 181/5 (20 overs)
| runs1 = [[Liam Livingstone]] 76 (48)
| wickets1 = [[Lockie Ferguson]] 3/34 (4 overs)
| score2 = 180/6 (20 overs)
| runs2 = [[Max Holden (cricketer)|Max Holden]] 52 (43)
| wickets2 = [[Andre Russell]] 2/16 (3 overs)
| result = Abu Dhabi Knight Riders won by 1 run
| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1501334.html Scorecard]
| venue = [[Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium]], [[Abu Dhabi]]
| umpires = [[Wayne Knights]] (NZ) and [[Martin Saggers]] (Eng)
| motm = [[Liam Livingstone]] (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders)
| toss = Desert Vipers won the toss and elected to field.
| rain =
| notes =
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
| round = {{anchor|match19}} '''Match 19'''
| date = 18 December 2025
| time = 18:30
| night = y
| team1 = [[Gulf Giants]]
| team2 = [[Abu Dhabi Knight Riders]]
| score1 = 165/7 (20 overs)
| runs1 = [[Rahmanullah Gurbaz]] 72 (45)
| wickets1 = [[Piyush Chawla]] 4/27 (4 overs)
| score2 = 167/6 (19.2 overs)
| runs2 = [[Alex Hales]] 46 (39)
| wickets2 = [[Tabraiz Shamsi]] 3/23 (4 overs)
| result = Abu Dhabi Knight Riders won by 4 wickets
| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1501336.html Scorecard]
| venue = [[Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium]], [[Abu Dhabi]]
| umpires = [[Aasif Iqbal]] (UAE) and [[Wayne Knights]] (NZ)
| motm = [[Piyush Chawla]] (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders)
| toss = Abu Dhabi Knight Riders won the toss and elected to field.
| rain =
| notes =
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
| round = {{anchor|match21}} '''Match 21'''
| date = 20 December 2025
| time = 14:00
| night =
| team2 = [[MI Emirates]]
| team1 = [[Abu Dhabi Knight Riders]]
| score1 = 187/4 (20 overs)
| runs1 = [[Nicholas Pooran]] 40[[not out|*]] (24)
| wickets1 = Ajay Kumar 2/42 (4 overs)
| score2 = 152 (20 overs)
| runs2 = [[Brandon McMullen]] 64 (49)
| wickets2 = [[Zahoor Khan]] 3/16 (4 overs)
| result = MI Emirates won by 35 runs
| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1501338.html Scorecard]
| venue = [[Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium]], [[Abu Dhabi]]
| umpires = [[Akbar Ali (umpire)|Akbar Ali]] (UAE) and [[Martin Saggers]] (Eng)
| motm = [[Zahoor Khan]] (MI Emirates)
| toss = Abu Dhabi Knight Riders won the toss and elected to field.
| rain =
| notes =
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
| round = {{anchor|match25}} '''Match 25'''
| date = 22 December 2025
| time = 18:30
| night = y
| team1 = [[Abu Dhabi Knight Riders]]
| team2 = [[Sharjah Warriorz]]
| score1 = 134/9 (20 overs)
| runs1 = [[Sherfane Rutherford]] 44 (36)
| wickets1 = [[Adil Rashid]] 3/18 (4 overs)
| score2 = 135/6 (20 overs)
| runs2 = [[James Rew]] 42[[not out|*]] (29)
| wickets2 = [[Jason Holder]] 2/25 (4 overs)
| result = Sharjah Warriorz won by 4 wickets
| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1501342.html Scorecard]
| venue = [[Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium]], [[Abu Dhabi]]
| umpires = [[Akbar Ali (umpire)|Akbar Ali]] (UAE) and [[Martin Saggers]] (Eng)
| motm = [[Adil Rashid]] (Sharjah Warriorz)
| toss = Abu Dhabi Knight Riders won the toss and elected to bat.
| rain =
| notes =
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
| round = {{anchor|match30}} '''Match 30'''
| date = 28 December 2025
| time = 18:30
| night = y
| team1 = [[Abu Dhabi Knight Riders]]
| team2 = [[Gulf Giants]]
| score1 = 179/1 (20 overs)
| runs1 = [[Michael Pepper (cricketer)|Michael Pepper]] 83 (51)
| wickets1 = [[Aayan Afzal Khan]] 1/34 (4 overs)
| score2 = 147/9 (20 overs)
| runs2 = [[Moeen Ali]] 79 (49)
| wickets2 = [[Andre Russell]] 3/13 (2 overs)
| result = Abu Dhabi Knight Riders won by 32 runs
| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1501347.html Scorecard]
| venue = [[Dubai International Cricket Stadium]], [[Dubai]]
| umpires = [[Martin Saggers]] (Eng) and [[Rod Tucker]] (Aus)
| motm = [[Michael Pepper (cricketer)|Michael Pepper]] (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders)
| toss = Gulf Giants won the toss and elected to field.
| rain =
| notes = Abu Dhabi Knight Riders qualified for the playoffs as a result of this match.
}}

== Playoffs ==
=== Bracket ===
<section begin=bracket />
{{4TeamBracket-PagePlayoff
| team-width=150px
| score-width=150px

| RD1 = '''[[#match31|Qualifier 1]]'''
| RD1-text1= 30 December 2025 — [[Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium|Abu Dhabi]]
| RD1-seed1= 1
| RD1-team1= '''[[Desert Vipers]]'''
| RD1-score1= '''233/1 (20 overs)'''
| RD1-seed2= 2
| RD1-team2= [[MI Emirates]]
| RD1-score2= 188/7 (20 overs)
| P1Winner= Desert Vipers
| P1Margin= 45 runs
| P1Matchno= 31

| RD1b= '''[[#match32|Eliminator]]'''
| RD1b-text1= 1 January 2026 — [[Dubai International Cricket Stadium|Dubai]]
| RD1b-seed1= 3
| RD1b-team1= [[Dubai Capitals]]
| RD1b-score1= 108 (16.2 overs)
| RD1b-seed2= 4
| RD1b-team2= '''[[Abu Dhabi Knight Riders]]'''
| RD1b-score2= '''158/7 (20 overs)'''
| P2Winner= Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
| P2Margin= 50 runs
| P2Matchno= 32

| RD2= '''[[#match33|Qualifier 2]]'''
| RD2-text1= 2 January 2026 — [[Sharjah Cricket Stadium|Sharjah]]
| RD2-seed1= Q1L
| RD2-team1= '''[[MI Emirates]]'''
| RD2-score1= '''122/3 (16.1 overs)'''
| RD2-seed2= EW
| RD2-team2= [[Abu Dhabi Knight Riders]]
| RD2-score2= 120/8 (20 overs)
| P3Winner= MI Emirates
| P3Margin= 7 wickets
| P3Matchno= 33

| RD3 = '''[[#match34|Final]]'''
| RD3-text1= 4 January 2026 — [[Dubai International Cricket Stadium|Dubai]]
| RD3-seed1= Q1W
| RD3-team1= '''[[Desert Vipers]]'''
| RD3-score1= '''182/4 (20 overs)'''
| RD3-seed2= Q2W
| RD3-team2= [[MI Emirates]]
| RD3-score2= 136 (18.3 overs)
| FinalWinner= Desert Vipers
| FinalMargin= 46 runs
| FinalMatchno= 34
}}<section end="bracket" />

===Eliminator===
{{Single-innings cricket match
| round = {{anchor|match32}} '''Eliminator'''
| date = 1 January 2026
| time = 18:30
| night = y
| team1 = [[Abu Dhabi Knight Riders]]
| score1 = 158/7 (20 overs)
| runs1 = [[Michael Pepper (cricketer)|Michael Pepper]] 72 (49)
| wickets1 = [[Mohammad Nabi]] 3/25 (4 overs)
| team2 = [[Dubai Capitals]]
| score2 = 108 (16.2 overs)
| runs2 = [[Mohammad Nabi]] 27 (21)
| wickets2 = [[Sunil Narine]] 3/12 (3 overs)
| result = Abu Dhabi Knight Riders won by 50 runs
| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1501349.html Scorecard]
| venue = [[Dubai International Cricket Stadium]], [[Dubai]]
| umpires = [[Aasif Iqbal]] (UAE) and [[Rod Tucker]] (Aus)
| motm = [[Sunil Narine]] (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders)
| toss = Abu Dhabi Knight Riders won the toss and elected to bat.
| rain =
| notes =
}}
===Qualifier 2===
{{Single-innings cricket match
| round = {{anchor|match33}} '''Qualifier 2'''
| date = 2 January 2026
| time = 18:30
| night = y
| team1 = [[Abu Dhabi Knight Riders]]
| team2 = [[MI Emirates]]
| score1 = 120/8 (20 overs)
| runs1 = [[Alishan Sharafu]] 50[[not out|*]] (40)
| wickets1 = [[Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar|AM Ghazanfar]] 3/24 (4 overs)
| score2 = 122/3 (16.1 overs)
| runs2 = [[Tom Banton]] 64[[not out|*]] (53)
| wickets2 = Ajay Kumar 2/13 (3 overs)
| result = MI Emirates won by 7 wickets
| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1501350.html Scorecard]
| venue = [[Sharjah Cricket Stadium]], [[Sharjah]]
| umpires = [[Martin Saggers]] (Eng) and [[Shiju Sam]] (UAE)
| motm = [[Shakib Al Hasan]] (MI Emirates)
| toss = MI Emirates won the toss and elected to field.
| rain =
| notes =
}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Abu Dhabi Knight Riders}}
{{International League T20}}
[[Category:Abu Dhabi Knight Riders]]

Bharatpedia - User contributions [en]

2026 Abu Dhabi Knight Riders season