Gulbadin Naib, David Willey and Lance Klusener have welcomed the Abu Dhabi T10’s new ownership structure, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen the competition and support the development of cricket in the UAE. UAE Bulls all-rounder Shadab Khan, however, said he would prefer to see how the changes unfold before judging their impact.

The four players and coaches shared their views at Zayed Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, following the latest round of matches in a season that marks a new chapter for the tournament.

Until this year, the Abu Dhabi T10 was run as a privately operated league. In May, Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub took majority ownership and commercial control, with the backing of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Emirates Cricket Board.

The new structure is intended to establish the competition as a long-term sporting asset for the emirate. The November 7-20 season is the first under the new arrangement, with six franchises operating on 10-year licences.

For Royal Desert Champions all-rounder Naib, the involvement of the UAE government is a positive development.

“If the government gets involved in this, it is a good thing for the country,” Naib said. “People in other countries get a good message from it. It is a big step by the UAE government. We have to carry it and take it forward.”

The tournament already has an international audience. An independent GSIQ report valued the media exposure of the 2025 edition at US$512 million and recorded 687 million social media impressions worldwide. The new ownership structure aims to build on that reach with a longer-term approach.

Yas Lions fast bowler Willey also welcomed the change, although he admitted that the business side of the tournament was beyond his expertise.

“It’s a bit above my pay grade, to be honest,” he said.

However, Willey believes the quality of players involved and the prospect of a more stable competition can benefit the sport.

“If you see the quality of the players that are here this year, to make this competition a stable and trustworthy one as much as possible, it’s going to be great for the game,” he said. “I think it’s fantastic that it’s been taken over, and I’m pleased to be a part of Yas Lions.”

Having experienced several franchise competitions, Willey said the people behind a tournament can make a significant difference to a player’s experience.

“When you play a lot of franchise cricket, sometimes you can feel like you’re on the treadmill a little bit,” he said. “We’re really fortunate to have a great group of people here, and that’s a massive part of my enjoyment.”

Arabian Aces head coach Klusener described the changes as “very exciting”, particularly highlighting the six-team format.

“Six teams have been really good because it condenses all the talent that’s out there,” he said. “It’s six evenly matched teams, as you guys have seen. There are no easy games anymore.”

Klusener added that the season felt slightly longer than previous editions, but said that was not a concern.

Shadab, meanwhile, offered a more cautious assessment. The UAE Bulls all-rounder said he did not have enough knowledge of ownership models to comment in detail and pointed out that Abu Dhabi had a long history of hosting cricket.

“This is the first year,” he said. “After this, we will see how things continue.”

UAE players stand to benefit from international exposure

While the four had different views on the ownership changes, the value of the tournament for UAE-based players emerged as a common theme.

Each playing XI must feature at least two UAE cricketers, allowing local talent to share dressing rooms and compete alongside established international names.

Willey, who said the experience would have been particularly valuable earlier in his career, believes the exposure can help domestic players develop.

“My international career is over, so it’s not doing much for me now,” he said. “But for the domestic players, you look at the names on these team sheets. To have an opportunity to play with them, to watch them go about their business and learn from them, I think it’s fantastic.”

Klusener pointed to UAE batter Alishan Sharafu as an example of the opportunities available. Batting behind international stars Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone and Andre Russell in the Arabian Aces line-up, Sharafu is getting the chance to learn from players with extensive experience in the shortest formats.

“He’s coming up against some wonderful international players that are batting ahead of him,” Klusener said. “He’s getting a wonderful opportunity, and I thought he was outstanding again today.”

Naib also highlighted the role franchise cricket has played in Afghanistan’s development, pointing to the experience players gain by competing alongside international stars.

“Cricket is a game of pressure,” he said. “If you look at Afghanistan cricket, look at the help it has had from franchise cricket and the experience we have gained from it.”

He added that the Abu Dhabi T10 attracts viewers beyond the UAE, including fans in Afghanistan, and said the format had the potential to expand further. Naib also expressed hope that T10 cricket could one day feature at the Olympic Games.

Shadab highlighted the value of the format from a bowler’s perspective. The demands of defending a total in a 10-over match, he said, can help bowlers develop confidence that carries into T20 internationals and one-day cricket.

Champions beaten as league action continues

Wednesday’s double-header produced victories for Royal Desert Champions and Yas Lions.

Royal Desert Champions defeated defending champions UAE Bulls by six wickets, while Yas Lions beat Arabian Aces by 29 runs.

The Abu Dhabi T10 league stage continues on Friday.

Klusener, who retired from international cricket before the T10 format was introduced, was also asked whether he would have liked to play in the competition.

“It looks like fun,” he said. “Ninety minutes and you go home.”

A UAE-led cricket venture is set to take franchise cricket to China, with the World Championship of Cricket (WCC) joining hands with Chinese sports company Dongyuehui Sports to launch an eight-team Legends T20 competition in May 2027.

The proposed WCC Legends League will bring some of the sport’s most celebrated former international players to China, marking a major step in the country’s efforts to expand its cricketing presence and attract a wider audience.

The inaugural tournament is planned for May 2027 and will be based at the Shaxi Town Cricket Centre in Taicang, Jiangsu Province. The initiative comes as cricket prepares for its return to the Olympic programme at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, creating fresh opportunities to grow the sport in emerging markets.

The partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in October 2026 by Praveen Sharma, League Chairman of WCC, and Yonghui Tong, Chairman of Dongyuehui Sports. Dubai-based businessman Sharma is leading the league’s expansion into China.

WCC said the project aims to introduce international franchise cricket to new audiences while creating opportunities for the development of the sport at grassroots level.

“Cricket has the unique ability to connect people across cultures and borders, and China presents one of the most exciting opportunities for the sport’s future growth,” Sharma said.

He added that WCC was seeking support from local authorities and intended to work with Dongyuehui Sports to deliver an international-standard competition and inspire a new generation of players and fans.

Amandeep Singh, Founder of WCC, said taking the league to China had been an ambition since its inception.

“Today’s signing brings that ambition a step closer. We want to give fans the chance to watch celebrated cricketers in action and introduce new audiences to the excitement of the game,” Singh said.

He added that the organisers looked forward to working with their partners in Taicang to deliver a successful inaugural edition.

UAE sporting experience behind China expansion

WCC operates under the same company associated with the World Tennis League (WTL), World Padel League (WPL) and Stars Golf League (SGL). The group has experience in developing and staging international franchise sporting events, with the tennis and padel leagues having previously been held in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE connection also extends to the cricketing community, with several former international players having made the country their home in recent years.

WCC believes the combination of its international sporting experience and Dongyuehui Sports’ local knowledge and infrastructure will help bring high-profile cricket to Chinese audiences while encouraging greater participation in the game.

Tong said the partnership supported his organisation’s ambition to establish China as a destination for major international sporting events and develop the Shaxi Town Cricket Centre into a leading cricket venue.

“Our vision is to establish China as a destination for major international sporting events, and to position the Shaxi Town Cricket Centre as the leading home of cricket in the country,” Tong said.

He added that the league would introduce some of the biggest names in international cricket to Chinese fans, encourage participation and contribute to the sport’s long-term development.

Opportunities for Chinese players and investors

The proposed competition could also create a platform for emerging Chinese cricketers to learn from former international stars who have competed at the highest level, including the ICC Cricket World Cup.

For many of the participating legends, the tournament would also provide an opportunity to play in China for the first time.

The franchise-based model is expected to create commercial opportunities for private investors and investment funds through team ownership, strategic partnerships and other forms of investment.

With China representing one of the world’s largest consumer markets, the organisers see potential to build a wider commercial and sporting ecosystem around the competition.

Following its planned inaugural edition in China, the next season of the WCC Legends League could be staged in the UAE, which has already established itself as a major destination for international franchise cricket.

The 2026 Abu Dhabi T10 has burst into life on November 7 with explosive batting, outstanding bowling performances and dramatic contests, as defending champions UAE Bulls, Emirates Eagles, Arabian Aces and United Tigers made their presence felt in cricket’s fastest format.

The season opened with a triple-header. Defending champions UAE Bulls took on the Yas Lions in the opening match. Following that, Royal Desert Champions faced the Emirates Eagles, before the United Tigers met newcomers Arabian Aces. 

Here’s a look at how the tournament has unfolded so far, following its kick-off on Saturday:

Fletcher and Nafay power UAE Bulls to winning start

Defending champions UAE Bulls began their title defence in style with a seven-wicket victory over Yas Lions. Chasing 121, the Bulls reached 121/3 in 9.4 overs, courtesy of Andre Fletcher’s blistering 68 off 34 deliveries, including eight fours and three sixes.

Khawaja Nafay provided excellent support with 35 off just 17 balls as the pair added 76 runs in 32 deliveries. Earlier, Yas Lions posted 120/3, with James Vince scoring 32, Karim Janat contributing an unbeaten 27 and Dasun Shanaka adding 23. Janat also impressed with the ball, claiming 2/10.

Powell’s fireworks seal Emirates Eagles victory

Emirates Eagles announced their arrival with a 16-run victory over Royal Desert Champions. Captain Rovman Powell smashed an unbeaten 41 off 16 deliveries, while Kyle Mayers scored 39 off 19. Their contributions powered the Eagles to 125/2.

Despite Sherfane Rutherford’s explosive 33 off 12 deliveries and Chris Jordan’s 27, the Champions could only manage 109/7. Trent Boult and Hardus Viljoen claimed two wickets each to strengthen the Eagles’ defence.

Hetmyer’s half-century shines despite Eagles defeat

In another contest, Shimron Hetmyer produced an unbeaten 65 off 30 balls against Yas Lions, helping Emirates Eagles post 115/4. However, the Lions chased down the target with eight balls remaining to secure a six-wicket victory.

Hetmyer credited captain Rovman Powell’s advice for shaping his approach to T10 batting, stressing that patience and giving oneself time at the crease were just as important as power-hitting. He warned against trying to overhit the ball, explaining that keeping the scoreboard moving through singles, doubles and boundaries was essential.

Walter’s breathtaking innings powers Arabian Aces

Paul Walter delivered one of the tournament’s most explosive performances, smashing an unbeaten 82 off just 29 deliveries, including nine sixes and five fours, as Arabian Aces defeated Emirates Eagles by 10 wickets.

Chasing 109, Walter and Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who scored 26 not out off 12 balls, added an unbroken 110-run partnership to complete the chase in just 6.5 overs.

The performance followed Walter’s unbeaten 62 against Royal Desert Champions, taking his tally to 144 runs across two matches without being dismissed.

Walter and Kohler-Cadmore demolish Royal Desert Champions

Arabian Aces had earlier registered a nine-wicket victory over Royal Desert Champions. Phil Salt’s 55 off 26 balls helped the Champions recover from 24/3 to post 112/6.

Walter continued his impressive form with an unbeaten 62 off 26 deliveries, while Kohler-Cadmore contributed 42 off 27. Their 103-run opening partnership guided the Aces to victory with six balls to spare.

Fakhar and Afridi keep United Tigers unbeaten

United Tigers strengthened their position at the top of the standings with a nine-wicket victory over Royal Desert Champions, registering their third consecutive win.

Abbas Afridi produced an outstanding bowling performance, claiming 3/10 as the Champions were restricted to 81/9. Captain Fakhar Zaman then smashed an unbeaten 45 off 21 deliveries, guiding the Tigers to 84/1 in just seven overs.

Afridi shines again against Arabian Aces

United Tigers also recorded an emphatic 51-run victory over Arabian Aces, with Afridi making an impact with both bat and ball. He smashed three sixes in a six-ball 20-run cameo to help the Tigers post 140/6 before claiming two wickets, including Liam Livingstone.

Azmatullah Omarzai contributed an unbeaten 29 off nine balls and picked up 2/17 to earn Player of the Match honours. The Aces were restricted to 89/9.

Star conversations and bigger ambitions

Ahead of the opener, the captains of the six franchises came together today for the pre-tournament press conference to set out their ambitions for the season. Kieron Pollard, Jason Holder, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Fakhar Zaman and Moeen Ali shared their thoughts on title defences, team identity and the demands of the 10-over game. 

“It’s always tougher to defend a title. When you’re the reigning champions, you’re the team to beat. But everybody starts fresh tomorrow. It’s a new season, and we’re all excited to get our campaign going on the right note,” said Kieron Pollard of UAE Bulls.

Beyond the on-field action, Pakistan teammates Naseem Shah and Usman Tariq entertained fans with a humorous exchange about Tariq’s distinctive bowling action. Their banter highlighted the lighter side of the competition.

Meanwhile, UAE batter Muhammad Waseem praised the Abu Dhabi T10 and ILT20 for providing local players with valuable opportunities to learn alongside international stars.

England all-rounder Liam Livingstone, despite the heavy defeat against United Tigers, expressed enthusiasm about joining Chennai Super Kings ahead of IPL 2027 following his trade from Sunrisers Hyderabad.

With explosive performances, international stars and emerging UAE talent adding to the excitement, the 2026 Abu Dhabi T10 promises an entertaining battle as the tournament progresses.