Australian superstar David Warner to play DP World ILT20 in UAE

Some of the greatest cricket stars will represent the six DP World ILT20 franchises in Season 2 — the second most watched T20 league after the IPL in India.

Australia’s all-format opener David Warner, who joins Dubai Capitals, is amongst the full list of superstars that the six teams have signed for Season 2.

Warner is already a great of the game with his batting feats at the international arena. The left-hander has played 356 T20s around the world amassing 11695 runs with the help of eight centuries.

Mark Wood is set to raise the heat in Season 2 with his searing pace. Wood also joins the Capitals squad.

The England pacer is rated amongst the fastest bowlers in the world and has produced some match winning performances in the recent past.

Other than Warner and Wood, Capitals have brought back Sri Lanka all-rounder Dasun Shanaka.

Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who scored 168 runs in eight innings for the Sharjah Warriors last season, has made a move to the Capitals for Season 2.

English wicketkeeper-batter Sam Billings, who scored 285 runs in 11 innings for the Desert Vipers in Season 1, will also be seen in the Capitals colours for Season 2.

England’s seasoned white-ball pacer David Willey (107 internationals) leads the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ new signings.

Willey adds to the squad a wealth of T20 experience (269 matches).

Meanwhile, Ireland’s talented left-armer Josh Little joins Willey as one of Knight Riders’ new signings. England’s richly experienced all-rounder Ravi Bopara has moved from the Capitals to the Knight Riders squad for Season 2.

Prolific limited overs’ all-rounder Shadab Khan, who has captained Pakistan in T20Is, joins compatriots Shaheen Shah Afridi and big-hitting Azam Khan in the Vipers squad. Promising Netherlands batting all-rounder Bas de Leede is also in the Vipers’ squad for Season 2.

Champions Gulf Giants have included the Afghanistan duo Karim Janat and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman. Mujeeb appeared for the Capitals last season.

MI Emirates have added more all-round strength to their squad by signing the once fastest ODI century maker Corey Anderson.

The former New Zealand player has featured in 152 T20 matches in various competitions around the world.

Anderson joins former Indian batter Ambati Rayudu, who besides his 61 international appearances for his country, has rich experience of T20 cricket. The right-hander has scored 6028 runs in the format.

Akeal Hosein who represented the Knight Riders in the opening season joins the MIE squad for Season 2.

Star New Zealand opener Martin Guptill will be making his DP World ILT20 debut next season for Sharjah Warriors. The right-hander has scored 9055 runs in 324 T20 matches with the help of five centuries. Besides Guptill, the Warriors have included the potent T20 Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana.

The Sharjah side have also added to their squad the experienced duo of West Indian Johnson Charles and England all-rounder Lewis Gregory.

Afghanistan spinner Qais Ahmed, who was part of Giants squad in Season 1, has moved to the Sharjah camp for Season 2.

The final step for the six franchises to complete their squads for the upcoming season is for additional players from the UAE to be signed.

Full list of new and returning players for DP World ILT20 Season 2:

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

New signings: Brandon McMullen, David Willey, Jake Lintott, Josh Little, Laurie Evans, Michael Pepper, Ravi Bopara and Sam Hain.

Retentions: Ali Khan, Andre Russell, Charith Asalanka, Joe Clarke, Sabir Ali, Sunil Narine, Marchant de Lange and Matiullah Khan.

Desert Vipers

New signings: Adam Hose, Azam Khan, Bas de Leede, Michael Jones, Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

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