Dubai, 16 January 2026: Season 4 of the DP World ILT20 provided cricketers from Saudi Arabia with a rare opportunity to compete alongside some of the world’s leading cricketers, as they featured across six franchises following the DP World ILT20 Season 4 auction. The exposure that was also extended to six players from Kuwait, formed one of the notable aspects of the tournament, which concluded on January 4 with Desert Vipers lifting the title at the iconic Dubai International Stadium.

During the tournament, the players reflected on the experience of training and competing in a high-performance environment alongside established international cricketers. They also spoke about their eagerness to take those learnings back home and share them with fellow players to support the continued growth of cricket in the country.

Desert Vipers’ Faisal Khan, the top run-scorer for Saudi Arabia in T20Is with 1,743 runs (61 T20Is) said: “It is a great opportunity to be part of a franchise like Desert Vipers, and I consider myself lucky to be here. I am learning a lot from the coaches and senior players, and the experience at this level is very different.”

Playing alongside top players teaches you how to take the game to the next level and how to finish matches. I would also like to thank the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation for this opportunity, and I will continue to work hard and improve.”

Gulf Giants’ Ishtiaq Ahmed, Saudi Arabia’s leading T20I wicket-taker with 69 wickets in 51 matches, added: “This has been a very good opportunity for me and for players from the region. We are learning a great deal from the coaches and from senior players. Shane Bond is our bowling coach, he has been a fantastic bowler for New Zealand, and I am getting a chance to learn from him, and he helps us in whatever way he can. I also get along very well with Rahmanullah Gurbaz. It has been a good step for us and for Saudi cricket, and a very good experience overall.”

Sharjah Warriorz’ Abdul Salman Khan said: “I was very excited from the first day we joined the camp. Experienced figures like JP Duminy [Head Coach] and Adil Rashid made us feel welcome and helped us learn, and we are already seeing positive changes in our game. I think they can see the improvement in us as well and feel proud of the progress.

Training and competing with Sikandar Raza has been especially enjoyable and challenging. Battling with him pushes you to raise your level, and it’s an experience we hope to pass on to younger players in the future.”

Dubai Capitals’ Usman Najeeb stated: “I have learnt a lot during my time here. I am proud to represent Saudi Arabia here. Training with experienced players has helped me improve, and I am grateful to Munaf Patel [Team Mentor] for his guidance how I need to improve. I still have work to do, but I will keep pushing myself and implement everything I have learnt to take Saudi Arabian cricket forward.”

MI Emirates’ Zain Abidin remarked: “It has been a wonderful experience, and we are learning many new things that will help us when we return to Saudi Arabia and play our domestic cricket. The coaches and senior players are extremely hardworking and spend a lot of time with us in training.

Bowling to and interacting with the big players in the nets and in the dressing, room has been very valuable. We constantly ask questions and take tips from them, and it is something we look forward to sharing with other players back home to help Saudi cricket grow.”

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ Abdul Manan said: “I am grateful to the franchise and DP World ILT20 for this opportunity, which has been an important step in my career. Training in different match situations has helped me gain valuable experience that will benefit me going forward.

Working closely with head coach DJ Bravo has been special. Learning from someone I used to watch on television, and receiving guidance as a wicketkeeper-batter, has been both enjoyable and extremely valuable.”