Abu Dhabi T10 Relaunch Countdown Begins Ahead of November 7 Start with Star-Studded Lineup

The countdown to the Abu Dhabi T10 relaunch has officially begun, featuring five new team owners and a roster of global star players gearing up for the league's second innings, which starts on November 7. The tournament has undergone a major transformation this year as the Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub (ADCSH) takes over complete ownership, backed by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) and the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB). With this new ownership structure emphasizing long-term partnerships and predictable team setups, the league aims to move away from the disjointed efforts of past seasons.

For the 2026 season, five new team owners were announced alongside the UAE Bulls, who have maintained their association with the Abu Dhabi T10 since its inception in 2017. The new inductees include Yas Lions, owned by UAE-based venture capitalist Jeetu Kataria, and Royal Desert Champions, led by former banker Amit Narang. The remaining teams in the league are Arabian Aces, Emirates Eagles, and United Tigers.

Stakeholders recently gathered at Yas Island for the player draft, where short-format players were allocated across the six teams, following the prior selection of icon players. West Indies players emerged as the most sought-after stars, led by Kieron Pollard (UAE Bulls), Jason Holder (Yas Lions), Nicolas Pooran (Royal Desert Champions), and Rovman Powell (Emirates Eagles). Moeen Ali (Arabian Aces) and Fakhar Zaman (United Tigers) round out the non-Caribbean icon selections for T10 2026.

Unlike other regional tournaments, the Abu Dhabi T10 features strong representation from Pakistan, with 15 Pakistan players—including Naseem Shah and Fakhar Zaman—scattered across almost all franchises. Mohammad Amir joins them as the 16th player, though he now qualifies as an England cricketer.

Matt Boucher, CEO of ADCSH and Abu Dhabi T10, emphasized that the structural changes are designed to establish sustainable foundations for the global cricket property. Highlighting the importance of long-term franchise identities and genuine fan connections, Boucher noted that the inclusion of international stars, prominent Pakistan players, and local UAE talent such as Muhammad Waseem, Alishan Sharafu, Aayan Afzal Khan, and Vriitya Aravind ensures high quality and strong fan interest as the tournament approaches its November 7 opening at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.