ILT20 2025: Dubai Capitals Win Maiden Title With Sikandar Raza's Stunning Finish
Dubai Capitals won their first ILT20 title on 9 February 2025, beating Desert Vipers by 4 wickets. Sikandar Raza hit 34 from 12 balls in a decisive late cameo, with Shai Hope topping tournament run-scoring at 527 runs.
Dubai Capitals claimed their maiden International League T20 title on 9 February 2025, defeating Desert Vipers by 4 wickets in a thrilling final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Chasing 189, Dubai Capitals needed 34 runs from the last two overs. Sikandar Raza — the Zimbabwe all-rounder — provided the match-winning cameo: 34 runs off just 12 balls, including three fours off Mohammad Amir in the penultimate over and a six and four to open the final over. Dubai Capitals crossed the line in 19.2 overs — Shai Hope and Rovman Powell had provided the middle-order platform that made Raza's late assault possible.
Shai Hope: 527 Runs, Tournament's Leading Batter
Shai Hope was the standout batter of ILT20 Season 3 with 527 runs across the tournament — a new record for runs in a single ILT20 season. The West Indies wicket-keeper batter, known for his ability to pace an innings precisely in the ODI format, transferred that ability to T20 batting in the UAE conditions — where the hot, flat surfaces suit his timing-heavy style. Hope's consistency in building substantial partnerships in the middle overs gave Dubai Capitals a foundation from which Raza, Rovman Powell, and the lower order could attack.
Fazalhaq Farooqi: 21 Wickets, Tournament's Leading Bowler
Fazalhaq Farooqi (MI Emirates) was the ILT20 2025 tournament's most dangerous bowler, taking 21 wickets despite his team not reaching the final. Farooqi — Afghanistan's left-arm fast bowler who has been one of the most sought-after T20 talents globally since his emergence in 2021 — exploited the swing available in Dubai's evening conditions to dismiss batters across multiple dismissal modes. His wicket tally was the highest in ILT20 Season 3, and confirmed his status as one of the world's best T20 bowlers.
ILT20's Three Seasons: A Different Champion Each Year
The ILT20's first three seasons (2023, 2024, 2025) each produced a different champion — Desert Vipers won Season 1 (2023), MI Emirates won Season 2 (2024), and Dubai Capitals won Season 3 (2025). This pattern of spreading titles across multiple franchises is healthy for competitive balance but also reflects the league's still-developing squad stability. The player-retention rules and draft system in ILT20 mean squads change significantly between seasons, making dynasty-building more difficult than in more established leagues like the SA20.
Frequently asked questions
Who won ILT20 2025?
Dubai Capitals won ILT20 Season 3 (2025), beating Desert Vipers by 4 wickets in the final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 9 February 2025.
Who was the top run-scorer in ILT20 2025?
Shai Hope (Dubai Capitals) was the tournament's top run-scorer with 527 runs — a new ILT20 single-season record. Fazalhaq Farooqi (MI Emirates) led wicket-takers with 21.
What is ILT20?
The International League T20 (ILT20) is the UAE's T20 franchise competition, launched in January 2023. Six franchises (Desert Vipers, MI Emirates, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Sharjah Warriors) compete each January. It runs concurrently with the SA20 in South Africa, making January the busiest month in global franchise cricket.