A familiar name, still waiting for a breakthrough
Abidin's name has appeared in MI Emirates squads before, which tells its own story: the franchise keeps picking him, and the coaches clearly see something in the nets. But a place in the squad is not a place in the team. With world-class overseas players ahead of him in a 22-man group, his route to the XI runs through what he shows in training and the openings that injuries or form create.
- Role: Squad member
- Team: MI Emirates
That is what the ILT20's structure is for. Its UAE-player spots put local cricketers inside a professional franchise for a full season — training alongside Pooran, Bairstow and Rashid Khan, seeing how a title-winning side prepares — and the learning counts long before a first game arrives.
What we know, and what we don't
What can be verified is the squad place itself: Zain ul Abidin is named in MI Emirates' 22-man squad for ILT20 Season 5, and the team's published squad record lists no role, batting style or bowling style for him. None of the three is guessed at here.
Should Zain ul Abidin get a game, his role and his numbers will be written in here the moment it is done. Until then, he is best described as a squad member the franchise trusts enough to recall season after season — with Season 5 as his next chance to show why.
The MI Emirates around him
Abidin's name has appeared in MI Emirates squads before, and Season 5 is his next chance to turn a squad place into a game.
His role, batting style and bowling style are not given in the squad record published by the team, so this profile does not guess at them. What he has to do is the same as every returning squad player: stay ready, impress in training, and take the game when injuries or form open a door.
What’s next
Three league games to start the season for MI Emirates, then the run to the playoffs. The full list of every ILT20 fixture is on the ILT20 Schedule page.
- Match 1 — Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates: Saturday 21 November 2026, evening session, Dubai International Stadium, Dubai.
- Match 5 — Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates: Tuesday 24 November 2026, evening session, Dubai.
- Match 7 — Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs MI Emirates: Thursday 26 November 2026, evening session, Abu Dhabi.
Qualifier 1 on Tuesday 16 December, the Eliminator on Wednesday 17 December, Qualifier 2 on Friday 18 December in Sharjah, and the final on Sunday 20 December in Dubai.
Follow every ILT20 result as it happens on SialTV, with the points table updated after every match day.
Frequently asked questions
What is Zain ul Abidin's role?
The Season 5 squad record MI Emirates published leaves Zain ul Abidin's role blank, so this profile leaves it blank too. Watch his first game: that is where the role will show itself.
Has Zain ul Abidin been in MI Emirates squads before?
Yes. His name has turned up in the franchise's squads in earlier ILT20 seasons.
When do MI Emirates play first?
In the season opener against Desert Vipers on Saturday 21 November 2026, in the evening session in Dubai.