Russell, Hosein, Billings, Seifert among wild card picks ahead of DP World ILT20 Season 5

Andre Russell is set to light up the DP World ILT20 once again after being retained by Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) as their wild card pick ahead of Season 5, which gets underway on November 21. Russell has represented ADKR in all four previous seasons, scoring 675 runs in 38 matches at an average of 29.34 and a strike rate of 166.66, including two half-centuries. He has also claimed 23 wickets in the tournament at an economy rate of 10.20.

New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert returns to Sharjah Warriorz as a wild card pick. The 31-year-old represented the Warriorz during the 2024-25 season, scoring 101 runs at a strike rate of 109.78.

West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein will turn out for Gulf Giants this season. Hosein was part of ADKR in the inaugural edition before spending the next two seasons with MI Emirates. He has taken 21 wickets in 29 ILT20 matches at an economy rate of 7.10.

England wicketkeeper-batter Sam Billings, who represented Dubai Capitals in each of his last two seasons, will continue with the franchise for the upcoming campaign. He has amassed 649 runs in 29 matches at a strike rate of 127.50.

Brett Lee highlights value of young UAE cricketers sharing a dressing room with international stars

The DP World ILT20 continues to provide a major platform for emerging cricket talent in the UAE, and former Australia fast bowler Brett Lee believes the tournament's impact on young players will only grow with time.

“I think a lot of people underestimate how important it is for these young UAE cricketers to be around their heroes, to learn not just how they play cricket, but also how they go to the ground, how they prepare the night before, and what they do on the morning of the match. They’ll learn because they’re like a sponge. The last four years have been outstanding. This year, it’s going to be even better,” said Brett Lee, one of the ambassadors of DP World ILT20 Season 5.