The season so far
Sharjah Warriorz are one of two sides never to have won the ILT20, and Season 5 is their next chance to fix that. The formula has not changed much: James Vince captains, Adrian Birrell coaches, and the team is built around spin and a home ground that suits it.
The spin attack is the best in the league on paper. Adil Rashid, Mohammad Nabi, Sikandar Raza and Waqar Salamkheil give the Warriorz four front-line spinners, and George Linde and Logan van Beek add more. At the top, Vince and Tom Banton set the tempo.
The base is Sharjah, and the schedule is the kindest home draw in the league: seven of the ten league matches are at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, including the opener against Gulf Giants on 22 November. No other side plays seven at home.
Sharjah Warriorz squad
Twenty-two players are verified for Season 5 in the ILT20 squads file. The squad leans on experience — Vince, Nabi, Raza, Rashid, Adam Milne and Richard Gleeson — with UAE players including Junaid Siddique, Tanish Suri and Ali Aamer Naseer.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| James Vince (Captain) | Batter |
| Tom Banton | Wicketkeeper |
| Adam Milne | Bowler |
| Logan van Beek | All-rounder |
| George Dockrell | All-rounder |
| Richard Gleeson | Bowler |
| George Linde | All-rounder |
| Brandon McMullen | All-rounder |
| Mohammad Nabi | All-rounder |
| Craig Overton | All-rounder |
| Sikandar Raza | All-rounder |
| Adil Rashid | Bowler |
| James Rew | Wicketkeeper |
| Paul Walter | All-rounder |
| Fareed Malik | Bowler |
| Waqar Salamkheil | Bowler |
| Tanish Suri | Wicketkeeper |
| Junaid Siddique | Bowler |
| Ali Aamer Naseer | — |
| Sarafuddin Ashraf | — |
| Arunraj Selvaraj | — |
| Mohammad Saqib | — |
The list shows the 22 players verified for Season 5 in the ILT20 squads file (checked 30 October 2026). Roles shown are the player’s usual role; a dash means the role is not confirmed for this squad. Captain: James Vince. Head coach: Adrian Birrell. Base: Sharjah.
Fixtures — all 10 league matches
Sharjah Warriorz play ten league matches between 21 November and 14 December 2026, each opponent twice. Exact start times are still to be announced; this page shows the session (afternoon or evening) for each fixture.
| Match | Date | Session | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Sun 22 Nov | Afternoon | Gulf Giants | Sharjah |
| 4 | Mon 23 Nov | Evening | Desert Vipers | Sharjah |
| 8 | Fri 27 Nov | Evening | Dubai Capitals | Sharjah |
| 11 | Sun 29 Nov | Afternoon | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Abu Dhabi |
| 14 | Tue 1 Dec | Evening | Gulf Giants | Sharjah |
| 18 | Fri 4 Dec | Evening | Desert Vipers | Sharjah |
| 20 | Sun 6 Dec | Afternoon | MI Emirates | Abu Dhabi |
| 23 | Tue 8 Dec | Evening | Dubai Capitals | Dubai |
| 24 | Wed 9 Dec | Evening | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Sharjah |
| 26 | Fri 11 Dec | Evening | MI Emirates | Sharjah |
The playoffs follow the league stage: Qualifier 1 on 16 December, the Eliminator on 17 December, Qualifier 2 on 18 December in Sharjah, and the final on 20 December in Dubai. Which teams play in them depends on the league standings.
What to watch
The strength is the spin and the home ground. Sharjah’s small boundaries suit the Warriorz’ batters, and four front-line spinners on a used pitch in December is a combination no other side can match. Seven home matches means the season is won or lost in Sharjah.
The question is the pace attack. Adam Milne and Richard Gleeson are quality, but both have had injury-hit seasons, and beyond them the seam bowling is thin. If either quick misses games, the spinners have to cover the powerplay as well as the middle — and that stretches even this attack.
Watch the opener. Sharjah Warriorz against Gulf Giants on 22 November is the first afternoon match of the season, at home, against the side with the most feared top order in the league. It is the perfect test of the Warriorz’ plan: spin against power, in their own backyard.
Where Sharjah Warriorz stand — the table starts on 21 November
There is no points table yet — the season starts on 21 November. The format is simple: six teams, each plays ten league matches, a win is worth 2 points, and the top four reach the playoffs. In a six-team league, five or six wins usually books a playoff place; four wins leaves a side depending on net run rate and other results. With seven home matches in Sharjah, the Warriorz’ path to the playoffs is the clearest of any side still chasing a first title.
The full standings, once play starts, are on the ILT20 Points Table page, and every result is on the ILT20 Results page. SialTV will update this page after every match day, through the final.
Frequently asked questions
Who captains Sharjah Warriorz?
James Vince. The England batter keeps the captaincy for Season 5, with Adrian Birrell as head coach.
Have Sharjah Warriorz ever won the ILT20?
No. They have not won the title in four seasons. Season 5 is their fifth attempt.
When is Sharjah Warriorz’ first match?
Match 2 against Gulf Giants, on Sunday 22 November 2026, afternoon session, in Sharjah.
How many home matches do Sharjah Warriorz play?
Seven of their ten league matches are in Sharjah — more home matches than any other team.
More ILT20 coverage
- ILT20 Schedule — Every fixture, date and session.
- ILT20 Points Table — Standings and the playoff race.
- ILT20 Results — Every result, once the season starts.
- ILT20 Live Scores — The next match and live updates.
- ILT20 Stats — Top scorers, wicket takers and records.
- ILT20 Tickets — Availability and official channels.
- ILT20 Season 5 Teams — All six teams, captains, coaches and titles.
- ILT20 — the season in full: schedule, teams, venues and where to watch.