Abu Dhabi Knight Riders enter ILT20 2026 with a 22 player squad that mixes world class stars with young UAE talent. Sunil Narine and Moeen Ali lead a group that has big match players in every role, and the team has the skill to reach the playoffs in the fifth season of the International League T20. The squad was built for the pitches in the UAE, where spin and smart pace bowling decide tight games.
The season starts with a home match, and the wider picture of the league is set out in ILT20 2025 Top Contenders for Final and Key Players Shaping the UAE Tournament. The first match for the Knight Riders is on 22 November against Dubai Capitals at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The home crowd will see a side that bats deep, bowls with variety and fields with energy. This guide gives the full Abu Dhabi Knight Riders squad 2026 list, the key players, the fixtures and the answers to the questions fans ask most.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Squad 2026 Overview
The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders squad 2026 has 22 players, with 8 batters, 7 allrounders and 7 bowlers. The squad has more players than most teams in the league, and the extra depth helps the side stay strong when injuries and international call ups change the team. The group has a good mix of youth and experience, and the UAE players get a real chance to show their skill next to the stars.
The balance of the squad suits the home ground in Abu Dhabi, where the pitch can help spin and the boundaries are not too long. The batting can post big totals, and the bowling has two world class spinners who can control the middle overs. The Knight Riders have the parts to win matches at home and away, and the squad looks strong on paper.
- 22 players: eight batters, seven allrounders and seven bowlers
- Finn Allen and Colin Munro are the two top order stars
- Sunil Narine is the biggest name with mystery spin
- Moeen Ali and Jason Holder give balance as allrounders
- First match on 22 November against Dubai Capitals at Sheikh Zayed Stadium
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Squad 2026 Full Players List
The full Abu Dhabi Knight Riders squad 2026 list is set out in the table below, with every player, role and category. The squad list is taken from the ESPNcricinfo squad page for the fifth season, and the table keeps the same player names and roles.
| Player | Role | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Finn Allen | Top order Batter | Batter |
| Andre Fletcher | Top order Batter | Batter |
| Manan Ali | Batter | Batter |
| Colin Munro | Opening Batter | Batter |
| Michael Pepper | Wicketkeeper Batter | Batter |
| Ravija Sandaruwan | Opening Batter | Batter |
| Alishan Sharafu | Opening Batter | Batter |
| Lorcan Tucker | Wicketkeeper Batter | Batter |
| Abdullah Tarakhail | Batting Allrounder | Allrounder |
| Moeen Ali | Batting Allrounder | Allrounder |
| Amshi de Silva | Allrounder | Allrounder |
| Gulbadin Naib | Batting Allrounder | Allrounder |
| Jason Holder | Bowling Allrounder | Allrounder |
| Sunil Narine | Bowling Allrounder | Allrounder |
| Matthew Tromp | Allrounder | Allrounder |
| Ajay Kumar | Bowler | Bowler |
| Arab Gul | Bowler | Bowler |
| Muhammad Rohid | Bowler | Bowler |
| Jakeem Pollard | Bowler | Bowler |
| Qais Ahmad | Bowler | Bowler |
| Usman Tariq | Bowler | Bowler |
| Ibrar Ahmed | Bowler | Bowler |
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Batters 2026
The batting group in the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders squad 2026 has eight players who cover every position. Finn Allen and Colin Munro open the batting with power at the top, while Ravija Sandaruwan and Alishan Sharafu give the team two more opening options. Andre Fletcher bats in the top order with big match experience, and Manan Ali adds UAE depth to the group.
Michael Pepper and Lorcan Tucker are the two wicketkeeper batters, so the team can change the keeper without losing batting power. The group also suits the pitches in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, where the ball comes on to the bat and the boundaries reward clean hitting. The batting looks strong from the first ball to the last, and the side can set or chase a big total.
Who Are Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Key Players in 2026?
Sunil Narine is the biggest name in the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders squad 2026, and his mystery spin can tie batters down in the middle overs and take wickets in a bunch. Moeen Ali brings the experience of a World Cup winner and can bat at the top or finish games, while Jason Holder gives the team a bowling allrounder who can lead the pace attack and hit big runs down the order.
Colin Munro and Finn Allen are the two top order stars who can win a match in the powerplay, and Qais Ahmad gives the attack a leg spin option who can take wickets on any pitch. Together, these players give the Knight Riders match winners with bat and ball, and the rest of the squad supports them with depth in every role.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Allrounders and Bowlers 2026
The seven allrounders give Abu Dhabi Knight Riders balance in every match. Moeen Ali and Gulbadin Naib bat in the top order and bowl useful overs, while Abdullah Tarakhail and Amshi de Silva add depth to the batting. Jason Holder and Sunil Narine are the bowling allrounders who take wickets and score fast runs, and Matthew Tromp gives the captain one more option with bat and ball.
The bowling attack has seven bowlers who cover pace and spin. Ajay Kumar, Muhammad Rohid, Jakeem Pollard and Ibrar Ahmed give the attack pace, while Qais Ahmad and Usman Tariq give the attack spin options alongside Sunil Narine. Arab Gul adds leg spin depth, and the group has the variety to defend totals on the slower pitches in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Overseas Players 2026
The overseas group in the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders squad 2026 comes from five countries. Finn Allen and Colin Munro come from New Zealand, while Andre Fletcher, Jason Holder and Sunil Narine come from the West Indies. Michael Pepper and Moeen Ali come from England, Lorcan Tucker comes from Ireland, and Gulbadin Naib and Qais Ahmad come from Afghanistan. The overseas players fill the key roles in the side, from the top order to the spin attack.
| Player | Country | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Finn Allen | New Zealand | Top order Batter |
| Colin Munro | New Zealand | Opening Batter |
| Andre Fletcher | West Indies | Top order Batter |
| Jason Holder | West Indies | Bowling Allrounder |
| Sunil Narine | West Indies | Bowling Allrounder |
| Michael Pepper | England | Wicketkeeper Batter |
| Moeen Ali | England | Batting Allrounder |
| Lorcan Tucker | Ireland | Wicketkeeper Batter |
| Gulbadin Naib | Afghanistan | Batting Allrounder |
| Qais Ahmad | Afghanistan | Bowler |
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Fixtures 2026
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders start the ILT20 2026 season at home on 22 November against Dubai Capitals at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, and the home matches continue with 25 November against MI Emirates and 28 November against Desert Vipers in Abu Dhabi. The big dates on the list are 30 November against Gulf Giants in Dubai, 3 December against Sharjah Warriorz in Sharjah, and 5 December against Gulf Giants in Abu Dhabi.
The rest of the fixtures are 7 December against Desert Vipers in Abu Dhabi, 11 December against Dubai Capitals in Abu Dhabi, and 13 December with two matches in one day, against MI Emirates in Abu Dhabi and against Sharjah Warriorz in Abu Dhabi. The playoffs start with Qualifier 1 on 16 December in Abu Dhabi, the Eliminator on 17 December in Dubai, Qualifier 2 on 18 December in Sharjah, and the final on 20 December in Dubai.
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Nov 2026 | Dubai Capitals | Abu Dhabi |
| 25 Nov 2026 | MI Emirates | Abu Dhabi |
| 28 Nov 2026 | Desert Vipers | Abu Dhabi |
| 30 Nov 2026 | Gulf Giants | Dubai |
| 3 Dec 2026 | Sharjah Warriorz | Sharjah |
| 5 Dec 2026 | Gulf Giants | Abu Dhabi |
| 7 Dec 2026 | Desert Vipers | Abu Dhabi |
| 11 Dec 2026 | Dubai Capitals | Abu Dhabi |
| 13 Dec 2026 | MI Emirates | Abu Dhabi |
| 13 Dec 2026 | Sharjah Warriorz | Abu Dhabi |
When Does Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Play First Match in ILT20 2026?
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders play their first match in ILT20 2026 on 22 November 2026 against Dubai Capitals at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The match is a home game for the Knight Riders, and the two teams meet again on 11 December in Abu Dhabi. The opener sets the tone for the season, and a win at home would give the squad a strong start.
Conclusion
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders enter ILT20 2026 with a squad that has star power, depth and proven winners. Sunil Narine is the star of the spin attack, Moeen Ali and Jason Holder give the side world class allrounders, and the batting has the power to post big totals. The season starts at home on 22 November against Dubai Capitals, and the fans can expect a strong push for the playoffs from the Knight Riders.
FAQ
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders squad 2026 has 22 players: 8 batters, 7 allrounders, and 7 bowlers.
The key players in Abu Dhabi Knight Riders squad 2026 are Sunil Narine, Moeen Ali, Jason Holder, Colin Munro, Finn Allen and Qais Ahmad.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders batters in 2026 are Finn Allen, Andre Fletcher, Manan Ali, Colin Munro, Michael Pepper, Ravija Sandaruwan, Alishan Sharafu and Lorcan Tucker.
The overseas players in Abu Dhabi Knight Riders squad 2026 are Finn Allen, Andre Fletcher, Colin Munro, Michael Pepper, Lorcan Tucker, Moeen Ali, Gulbadin Naib, Jason Holder, Sunil Narine and Qais Ahmad.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders play their first match in ILT20 2026 on 22 November 2026 against Dubai Capitals at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders matches in ILT20 2026 are at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Dubai International Stadium, and Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
