The 2026 Abu Dhabi T10 Player Draft saw a host of international stars find new homes ahead of the upcoming season, with Naseem Shah (Royal Desert Champions), Noor Ahmad (Emirates Eagles), Muhammad Amir (UAE Bulls), Alzarri Joseph (Arabian Aces), Dasun Shanaka (Yas Lions), Shadab Khan (UAE Bulls), Kusal Perera (Emirates Eagles) and Chris Jordan (Royal Desert Champions) among the headline names selected.

The Draft also saw several of the UAE’s leading players join the six franchises, underlining the growing depth of local talent in the reimagined Abu Dhabi T10. Alishan Sharafu (Arabian Aces), Aayan Afzal Khan (Royal Desert Champions), Muhammad Waseem (Royal Desert Champions), Haider Razzaq (Emirates Eagles), Muhammad Rohid (UAE Bulls), Ansh Tandon (Yas Lions) and Luqman Faisal (Emirates Eagles) were among the prominent UAE selections.

Awais Ali Shah (United Tigers), Dhruv Parashar (Royal Desert Champions), Harshit Kaushik (Emirates Eagles), Wali Muhammad (UAE Bulls), Adithya Shetty (United Tigers), Haider Ali (Yas Lions) and Vriitya Arvind (Arabian Aces) were also among those selected, further strengthening the UAE presence across the six squads.

The Arabian Aces will have plenty of experience and firepower in their ranks, with Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Sam Billings and Imran Tahir among their notable draft selections. Alzarri Joseph, Richard Gleeson, Dwayne Pretorius and Dunith Wellalage add further bowling and all-round options to a squad that already featured Moeen Ali, Andre Russell and Liam Livingstone as pre-draft signings. The Aces also secured further local and emerging talent to complement their international core.

The Emirates Eagles’ batting stocks feature Alex Hales, KS Bharat, Hassan Nawaz and Kusal Perera, while David Wiese and Chris Green offer valuable all-round options. Noor Ahmad, Rehan Ahmed and Ali Raza further strengthen the bowling department, complementing pre-draft signings Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer and Trent Boult. 

The Royal Desert Champions assembled a formidable side led by the likes of Naseem Shah, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera and Chris Jordan. Muhammad Waseem, Brandon King and Jayanth Liyanage add batting depth, while Gulbadin Naib and Keemo Paul provide all-round ability. The side already had Nicholas Pooran, Phil Salt and Sherfane Rutherford on board as pre-draft signings.

The UAE Bulls have an abundance of power-hitting options through Andre Fletcher, Aneurin Donald, Khwaja Nafay, Max Bryan and Azam Khan, with Shadab Khan and Khushdil Shah offering all-round depth. Muhammad Amir and Nuwan Thushara add to the bowling attack, while the franchise had already secured Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine and Romario Shepherd before the Draft. Scotland’s Bradley Currie also joins the squad.

The United Tigers have established international experience with Azmatullah Omarzai, Odean Smith and Mahedi Hasan offering all-round options, while Abbas Afridi and Sufyan Moqim strengthen the bowling resources. The Tigers’ pre-draft haul comprised the Pakistani trio of Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed and Faheem Ashraf. 

The Yas Lions have plenty of experience with James Vince, Dasun Shanaka, Tom Moores and Akeal Hosein among their notable selections. Eshan Malinga and Obed McCoy build their bowling strength, while the Lions had already secured Jason Holder, David Willey and Andries Gous before the Draft. Netherlands’ Aryan Dutt also joins the squad as their Associate Member selection.

Arabian Aces: Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, Liam Livingstone, Alishan Sharafu, Muhammad Arfan, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Richard Gleeson, Sam Billings, Paul Walter, Alzarri Joseph, Imran Tahir, Salman Irshad, Quentin Sampson, Dwaine Pretorius, Vriitya Arvind, Ibrahim Masood, Amshi De Silva, Dunith Wellalage

Emirates Eagles: Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Trent Boult, Haider Razzaq, Luqman Faisal, David Wiese, Noor Ahmad, Alex Hales, KS Bharat, Akif Javed, Hassan Nawaz, Rehan Ahmed, Ali Raza, Chris Green, Harshit Kaushik, Hilal Afghan, Toby Albert, Kusal Perera

Royal Desert Champions: Nicholas Pooran, Phil Salt, Sherfane Rutherford, Ali Naseer, Aayan Afzal Khan, Muhammad Waseem, Naseem Shah, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Luke Wood, Gulbadin Naib, Brandon King, Janith Liyanage, Keemo Paul, Dhruv Parashar, Raizal Nadir, Tajinder Singh Dhillon, Chris Jordan

UAE Bulls: Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Romario Shepherd, Muhammad Rohid, Tahir Zaman, Aneurin Donald, Muhammad Amir, Andre Fletcher, Khwaja Nafay, Nuwan Thushara, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Max Bryant, Azam Khan, Wali Muhammad, Uddish Suri, Bradley Currie, Shadab Khan

United Tigers: Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Zeeshan Naseer, Awais Ali Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sufyan Moqim, Abbas Afridi, Odean Smith, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Habibur Rahman Sohan, Noor ul Rahman, Shamim Hossain, Adithya Shetty, Noor Ullah Ayubi, Paul van Meekeren, Yasin Patel

Yas Lions: Jason Holder, David Willey, Andries Gous, Ajay Kumar, Ansh Tandon, James Vince, Dasun Shanaka, Eshan Malinga, Karim Janat, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Tom Moores, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Obed McCoy, Kamil Pooran, Haider Ali, Masood Gurbaz, Aryan Dutt, Akeal Hosein

 Former India international and World Cup winner Robin Uthappa has been appointed Team Director of Yas Lions, the newest franchise to join the Abu Dhabi T10, as the Jeetu Kataria-owned team prepares for its debut in the tournament.

Uthappa will oversee the franchise’s cricketing strategy, player development, recruitment and squad culture, working alongside the coaching staff as Yas Lions build their identity ahead of the new Abu Dhabi T10 season.

The franchise has also confirmed West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder as its Icon player, while Andries Gous and David Willey have been unveiled as its Platinum signings.

Yas Lions will make their Abu Dhabi T10 debut at Zayed Cricket Stadium from November 7 to 20, joining an expanding 2026 line-up that includes Arabian Aces, Emirates Eagles, UAE Bulls, United Tigers and Royal Desert Champions.

Uthappa, who was part of India’s 2007 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup-winning squad, brings extensive experience from international and franchise cricket to his new leadership role. Since ending his playing career in 2022, he has developed a second career spanning entrepreneurship, broadcasting and high-performance coaching.

As Team Director, Uthappa will work closely with the franchise’s management and coaching team on player recruitment, mentoring and building the culture of the new side.

The former India international has long advocated for cricket to reach new audiences and sees the fast-paced T10 format as an opportunity to introduce the sport to a wider global fan base.

Robin Uthappa, Team Director of Yas Lions, said:“There is a lot to like about starting a franchise from scratch, because you get to build its identity around clarity, process and performance from the very first conversation. T10 cricket rewards players who can function under pressure rather than avoid it, and that is exactly the mindset we want running through this squad.

“Our Direct Signings include match winners with plenty of experience, class and versatility. I have long believed T10 can be a gateway for new fans into the sport. I am looking forward to working with this group and building something we can be proud of — a team that competes hard and helps grow the game.”

Jason Holder leads Yas Lions’ playing core

Former West Indies captain and T20 World Cup winner Jason Holder has been signed as the Yas Lions’ Icon player.

An experienced international all-rounder, Holder brings a combination of power hitting and seam bowling to the side. Renowned for his lower-middle-order batting and ability to generate bounce with his bowling, he will be one of the key figures in Yas Lions’ first Abu Dhabi T10 campaign.

The franchise has also secured two Platinum signings in Andries Gous and David Willey.

Gous, a wicketkeeper-batsman, has scored centuries across all three formats and boasts an average of almost 40. The aggressive right-hander is known for his boundary-hitting approach and adds further firepower to the Yas Lions batting line-up, alongside his skills behind the stumps.

Willey, the former England international, brings experience from the highest level of white-ball cricket. The left-arm bowler and batsman was part of England’s squad that won the 2022 T20 World Cup, adding further international pedigree to the new franchise.

Building a franchise for the long term

Yas Lions is owned by entrepreneur and investor Jeetu Kataria, who brings almost two decades of experience across institutional capital markets, investment banking, asset management and financial technology.

Kataria’s vision is to build more than a cricket team, with the franchise aiming to establish a strong identity based on governance, player development, performance and long-term partnerships.

Jeetu Kataria, Owner of Yas Lions, said:
“Building Yas Lions is about applying the core principles I stand by — meticulous planning and a long-term vision. The Abu Dhabi T10 gives us an outstanding platform to build a franchise with a real identity, one grounded in process, governance and respect for players and partners.

“Having Robin lead our cricketing operation gives us a rare combination of championship experience and modern high-performance thinking. Together with Jason, Andries and David, we have the foundations of a squad built to compete from the first season itself.

“Our ambition is clear: build a contender, build a brand, and help take cricket to new audiences around the world.”

Matt Boucher, CEO of the Abu Dhabi T10 and Abu Dhabi Cricket and Sports Hub (ADCSH), said the arrival of Yas Lions adds further momentum to the tournament’s international ambitions.

Matt Boucher said:
“Welcoming Yas Lions is another important step in our ambition to build the Abu Dhabi T10 into a truly global sporting property. With strong international investment, experienced leadership and world-class playing talent, franchises such as Yas Lions are integral to our strategy of expanding the tournament’s international reach, attracting new audiences and creating long-term value for the sport.

“Our vision extends well beyond the tournament itself. We want to establish Abu Dhabi as a leading international destination for cricket and major sporting events, bringing together global talent, commercial partnerships and passionate fans. Yas Lions share that ambition, and their arrival adds further momentum to an exciting new era for Abu Dhabi T10.”

Further squad announcements are expected ahead of the Official Player Draft in Abu Dhabi on September 30, as Yas Lions continue to build their squad for their inaugural Abu Dhabi T10 campaign.

Over the next three to five years, the franchise aims to establish itself as a consistent contender while developing into a recognisable global T10 brand, with a focus on talent development, fan engagement, sustainable partnerships and connecting with cricket communities across the UAE and wider diaspora.

Emirates Eagles have become the latest team to confirm it will vie for honours in the new era of the Abu Dhabi T10, unveiling a formidable cricket line-up featuring West Indies star Rovman Powell as captain, highly decorated international coach Mickey Arthur, and direct signings Trent Boult and Shimron Hetmyer.

Owned by Maverick Sports and Entertainment, the Eagles will debut when the Abu Dhabi T10 returns to Zayed Cricket Stadium from November 7-20.

The franchise has signalled its ambition by assembling an experienced leadership group and a powerful core of international talent capable of making an immediate impact in cricket’s fastest format.

Powell, one of the most destructive power-hitters in the global franchise game, will lead the side, while former South Africa, Australia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka Head Coach Mickey Arthur will oversee its cricketing strategy. New Zealand left-arm fast bowler Trent Boult brings proven wicket-taking quality with both the new ball and at the death, while explosive West Indies batter Shimron Hetmyer adds further firepower.

Matt Boucher, CEO of both the tournament and its owners Abu Dhabi Cricket and Sports Hub (ADCSH) said: “Emirates Eagles arrive with an exciting vision for what they want to build, both on and off the field. The combination of Rovman Powell, Mickey Arthur, Trent Boult and Shimron Hetmyer gives them an outstanding cricketing foundation, while the ownership group brings the long-term commitment we want to see from our franchises.

“As we shape this new era of the Abu Dhabi T10, we want teams with strong identities, world-class talent, and the appetite to grow alongside the tournament. Emirates Eagles bring all three, and I am looking forward to seeing what they can deliver in November.”

Maverick Sports and Entertainment brings together Annam Satish Prabhakar, Classic Investments, Kondaveeti Durga Pavan Kumar, Bonam Suryaprakash, Annam Kusumkiran and Allada Ashok Vardhan.

The consortium views its entry into the Abu Dhabi T10 as a major step in expanding its presence in franchise cricket, with the long-term goal of developing Emirates Eagles into a competitive and commercially sustainable global sporting brand.

Annam Satish Prabhakar, Managing Director of Emirates Eagles, said: “We are entering the Abu Dhabi T10 with a long-term plan for Emirates Eagles. Our ambition is to create a franchise that combines success on the field with a strong, distinctive brand that can connect with cricket fans in the UAE and internationally.

“We have put together an exceptional leadership group and secured players who understand what it takes to perform at the highest level of franchise cricket. With Mickey guiding the team and Rovman leading on the field, supported by players of the calibre of Trent and Shimron, we believe we have the foundations to make a strong impression from our very first season.”

Powell’s experience across international and franchise cricket will be central to that challenge, with the West Indies star renowned for his ability to change the course of a game through aggressive middle-order hitting.

Powell said: “There is something special about joining a new franchise at the beginning of its journey because you can help create its identity from day one. T10 cricket demands confidence, clarity, and the willingness to take the game on, and I think the squad we are building has those qualities.

“We want Emirates Eagles to play fearless, entertaining cricket and, most importantly, compete to win. With Mickey’s experience and the quality already coming into the team, there is plenty for us to be excited about.”

Supporting the franchise’s leadership will be Chief Operating Officer Sandeep Yara, an Indian first-class cricketer whose professional playing background is complemented by experience in franchise operations, digital marketing, and brand building.

Nabeel Hashmi joins as Team Director following three years as Team Manager of Deccan Gladiators, bringing further Abu Dhabi T10 and franchise cricket experience to the Eagles’ management structure.

The arrival of Emirates Eagles adds another distinctive franchise to the evolving Abu Dhabi T10 line-up as the tournament prepares for its 2026 edition in the UAE capital.