Defending champions UAE Bulls have become the first founding franchise confirmed for the next era of the Abu Dhabi T10, reinforcing the team’s long-standing commitment to cricket’s fastest format.

The announcement is the first of several franchise confirmations to come as Abu Dhabi T10 prepares for its 2026 edition, which will run from November 7 – 20 at the iconic Zayed Cricket Stadium in the UAE capital.

The UAE Bulls, who have been part of the T10 journey since the competition’s inception in 2017, have been confirmed as a founding franchise following the Deloitte Invitation to Bid process and will compete under the tournament’s new 10-year licence model. And the defending champions are already building towards their title defence, guided by internationally renowned Head Coach Andy Flower, with T20 great Dwayne Bravo continuing his involvement as bowling coach and mentor.

The confirmation comes as Abu Dhabi T10 enters a significant new chapter under the ownership and management of Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub (ADCSH), supported by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) and under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board.

The new structure is providing the tournament with stronger governance, long-term stability, and a platform for sustainable growth, while building on the pace, entertainment and global appeal that are now synonymous with T10 cricket.

For the UAE Bulls, the announcement also strengthens a relationship with the competition stretching back to its formative years when the team originally competed as the Delhi Bulls. Having rebranded, the UAE Bulls reached the final in 2024 before going one better in 2025, producing a dominant performance in the final to secure its first Abu Dhabi T10 title.

UAE Bulls Owner Neelesh Bhatnagar said the decision to commit to the competition’s next chapter reflected both its belief in the T10 product and confidence in the tournament’s future under its new stewardship.

“We have believed in T10 cricket and its potential from the beginning, so we are extremely proud that the UAE Bulls will be the first founding franchise confirmed for this exciting new chapter,” said Bhatnagar.

“The new institutional backing and long-term structure provide a solid foundation from which Abu Dhabi T10 can continue to grow in value, stature, and international appeal. Winning the title in 2025 was an incredibly special moment for everyone associated with the UAE Bulls, but we now see that achievement as the beginning of another journey. We are excited about what lies ahead and determined to play our part in the competition’s continued success.”

UAE Bulls Head Coach Andy Flower said his connection with Abu Dhabi T10 and the UAE Bulls had continued to strengthen over the years. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every visit to Abu Dhabi for the ADT10 over the years, and my connection with the Bulls has grown stronger throughout that time, particularly with the support and commitment Neelesh has shown towards the team,” said Flower.

“We have some very special memories from last season, and we’re excited to return as defending champions and be part of the relaunched Abu Dhabi T10.”

Matt Boucher, CEO of Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub and Abu Dhabi T10, welcomed confirmation of the UAE Bulls’ participation under the new structure, describing their long-standing association with the competition as an important asset as Abu Dhabi T10 moves forward.

“The UAE Bulls understand both the qualities that make T10 such a compelling format and the opportunity that exists to take the competition to another level,” said Boucher. “As we enter the tournament’s next innings, we value partners who share our ambition to build sustainably for the long term. The UAE Bulls have demonstrated that commitment over many years, and their confirmation as our first founding franchise is a fitting way to begin this next chapter.

“Our positioning of ‘Same Energy. New Ethos.’ captures exactly what we are seeking to achieve. We want to retain the excitement, intensity, and entertainment that audiences associate with Abu Dhabi T10 while introducing a structure and approach capable of supporting its ambitions for the decade ahead.”

The International League T20 Management has appointed Mike Fordham as Interim Chief Operating Officer. Fordham has been the league’s Head of Operations since the inception of the tournament – 2022.

Fordham has taken over the role with immediate effect and will spearhead the execution of DP World ILT20 Season 5, which will be played in November-December this year. In a career spanning two decades, Fordham has accumulated rich experience – specialising in sporting, governance and commercial set-up of new leagues, competitions and franchises.

Interim Chief Operating Officer DP World ILT20 Mike Fordham: “It is a real honour to have been given the task to spearhead the DP World ILT20 Season 5 execution. The DP World ILT20 has grown into one of the top T20 tournaments. The league is known for top-class cricketing action at three world-class venues.

“This year’s edition will be bigger and better. We are all excited about the upcoming DP World ILT20 Development Tournament – an incredible platform for young UAE players to make a claim for the main event later in the year. Some of the biggest T20 stars have signed up for the DP World ILT20 Player Auction which further exemplifies the league’s stature and reputation as a competition that attracts the very best in the business.”

Chief Minister of Odisha Mohan Charan Majhi arrived in Abu Dhabi last night, marking the start of the State’s high-level investment outreach to the United Arab Emirates.The visit, with key business and investor engagements scheduled from September 9 to 11, is aimed at deepening Odisha’s economic engagement with the UAE and building long-term partnerships across investment, manufacturing, infrastructure, energy and emerging industries.

The Chief Minister is leading a high-level delegation comprising Hon’ble Minister for Industries Shri Sampad Chandra Swain, Chief Secretary Smt. Anu Garg, and senior officials from the Industries Department and IPICOL.

The delegation was received in Abu Dhabi by Additional Chief Secretary, Industries, Shri Hemant Sharma, along with UAE-based officials and representatives. Representatives of the Embassy of India in the UAE also welcomed the Chief Minister and the delegation.

Soon after his arrival, Shri Majhi reviewed preparations for the high-level business and investor engagements planned during the Abu Dhabi leg of the visit. He took stock of arrangements for meetings with UAE-based investors, institutions and business leaders, stressing the need for focused discussions that can translate into concrete partnerships and investment opportunities for Odisha.

During the day, the Chief Minister also met the Ambassador of India to the UAE and discussed the strengthening of India-UAE relations and the growing opportunities for deeper economic and people-to-people ties.

The Chief Minister highlighted the important role played by the Odia community living and working in the UAE, describing them as a valuable bridge between Odisha and the region. He emphasised the importance of continued support, facilitation and ease of living for Odias residing in the UAE, while recognising their contribution to strengthening links between the two economies.

The Abu Dhabi programme will bring the Odisha delegation into direct engagement with leading UAE institutions, investors and business groups. The discussions are expected to focus on identifying specific opportunities for investment, industrial partnerships, technology collaboration and long-term business participation in Odisha.

The outreach comes at a significant phase in Odisha’s industrial transformation. During the visit, the Chief Minister will showcase the State’s strengths, including its natural resources, robust industrial base, growing infrastructure, port connectivity, competitive power availability, skilled workforce and strategic access to large domestic and international markets.

Speaking ahead of the upcoming investor engagements, Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi said,“Odisha has entered a new phase of industrial growth, and our engagement with the UAE is an important part of this journey. We are coming here not only to invite investment, but to build long-term partnerships based on trust, technology, value creation and employment. The UAE is an important global economic partner, and we look forward to strengthening the Odisha-UAE relationship through concrete investment and industrial opportunities.”

The Chief Minister said the State Government’s focus is on converting investor interest into projects on the ground, creating employment and further strengthening Odisha’s position as a competitive destination for global businesses.

The first full day of Odisha’s UAE investment outreach will begin tomorrow in Abu Dhabi with a series of high-level engagements involving leading UAE institutions, investors and business leaders.

The programme on September 9 will include interactions with International Holding Company (IHC) and its business verticals, the Indian Business and Professional Group (IBPG), the UAE Minister of Investment and other senior investment stakeholders. The day will also include a focused engagement on opportunities in the petrochemicals and chemicals sector.

The meetings will provide a platform to discuss specific investment opportunities, industrial partnerships, technology collaboration and new avenues for strengthening Odisha-UAE economic ties.

Through the outreach, the Government of Odisha is seeking to build a sustained economic partnership with the UAE and the wider MENA region, with a focus on translating investor interest into tangible outcomes for industrial growth, employment generation and long-term economic value for the State.

With a packed schedule of high-level business and institutional engagements beginning September 9, Odisha will look to deepen existing partnerships while exploring fresh opportunities in investment, technology, trade and industrial collaboration with the UAE.