ILT20 2025-26: Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard named as MI Emirates wildcards

Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard. (Photo source: MI New York)

MI Emirates have officially announced Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard as their wildcard signings for the upcoming season of the International League T20 (ILT20) in the UAE. The dynamic West Indian duo will once again reunite, having already shared success earlier this year by lifting the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) trophy with Trinbago Knight Riders and the Major League Cricket (MLC) title with MI New York.

A true MI franchise legend, Pollard continues to extend his illustrious T20 legacy. The all-rounder boasts 18 T20 titles, the most by any player in the format’s history, including five IPL titles, two Champions League T20 trophies, two MLC titles, and the ILT20 trophy in 2024.

Meanwhile, Pooran, who also represents MI Cape Town in the SA20, remains one of the most explosive batters in world cricket. Despite his surprise decision to retire from international cricket at the age of 29, the wicketkeeper-batter continues to be in high demand across global T20 leagues. Pooran was part of MI Emirates’ ILT20 2024 title-winning campaign and has added two MLC championships with MI New York in 2023 and 2025.

Pooran and Pollard will join a strong Caribbean contingent in the MI Emirates lineup, featuring Andre Fletcher, the most expensive buy at the inaugural ILT20 auction for USD 260,000, alongside Ackeem Auguste and Romario Shepherd.

With the squad now complete, MI Emirates are set to begin pre-season training soon under their coaching staff. The fourth season of the ILT20 will be played across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah from December 2, 2025, to January 4, 2026, featuring six teams and a total of 34 matches.

MI Emirates will kick off their campaign against Gulf Giants on December 4, two days after the tournament opener between Dubai Capitals and Desert Vipers on December 2.

MI Emirates

Auction Signings: Muhammad Rohid (USD 140,000), Jordan Thompson (USD 48,000), Naveen-ul-Haq (USD 100,000), Andre Fletcher (USD 260,000), Nosthush Kenjige (USD 10,000), Mohamed Shafeeq (USD 10,000), Zain Ul Abidin (USD 10,000), Usman Khan (USD 10,000), Ackeem Auguste (USD 10,000), Arab Gul (USD 10,000), Tajinder Dhillon (USD 10,000), Zahoor Khan (USD 10,000), Shakib Al Hasan (USD 40,000).

Retention + Direct Signings: Fazalhaq Farooqi, Tom Banton, Romario Shepherd, Chris Woakes, Jonny Bairstow, AM Ghazanfar, Muhammad Waseem, Kamindu Mendis.

Wildcards: Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard