MI Emirates vs AD Knight Riders ILT20 2026 in Abu Dhabi

MI Emirates vs AD Knight Riders ILT20 2026 in Abu Dhabi is a Monday night DP World ILT20 Season 5 derby at Zayed Cricket Stadium on 30 November, between the two franchises that share the capital’s cricket ground. Gates open at 4:30pm and the first ball is at 6:30pm, so this is cricket under the lights in Khalifa City.

The ticket listing calls it a derby game and notes that MI Emirates have dominated most of their previous meetings, while the Knight Riders keep pushing in what it describes as a growing rivalry.

An Abu Dhabi derby

Both sides list Zayed Cricket Stadium as home. MI Emirates, owned by Reliance Industries and part of the same family as the IPL’s Mumbai Indians, play in blue and gold. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, owned by the Knight Riders Group alliance of Red Chillies Entertainment and the Mehta Group, wear purple and gold and are sister team to Kolkata Knight Riders. Both arrived with the league in 2023, so this is a fixture as old as the competition itself.

It is also their second meeting here in the space of four days. The Knight Riders host MI Emirates at the same ground on Thursday 26 November, so whoever loses that one will have an immediate chance to respond.

For MI Emirates, this is the third of three games at Zayed Cricket Stadium in five days: the Knight Riders on 26 November, defending champions Desert Vipers on the afternoon of Saturday 28 November, and this Monday night rematch. The ground also hosts Qualifier 1 on 16 December, so both sides will hope to be back here for the playoffs.

Why MI Emirates have the upper hand

The listing’s claim is backed up by last season. In Season 4, played over December 2025 and January 2026, MI Emirates beat the Knight Riders three times: by 35 runs and by seven wickets in the group stage, and again in Qualifier 2, which knocked the Knight Riders out one step short of the final. MI Emirates went on to lose the final to Desert Vipers by 46 runs.

The bigger record tells a similar story. MI Emirates reached the playoffs in the first season in 2023, won the title in 2024 and were runners-up last season, while the Knight Riders have had a more up-and-down history, finishing sixth in 2023 and 2025 but reaching the playoffs in 2024 and again last season, when they finished fourth in the group and beat Dubai Capitals in the Eliminator. Beating MI Emirates is the next step for them.

The teams for Season 5

MI Emirates

Khaleej Times named Rashid Khan, Nicholas Pooran and Fazalhaq Farooqi among the MI Emirates players for Season 5. Pooran has captained the side, Rashid is one of the most successful T20 spinners in the world, and Farooqi gives them left-arm pace with the new ball. Former South Africa wicketkeeper Mark Boucher is listed as head coach.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

The Knight Riders, captained last season by Jason Holder, have New Zealand opener Finn Allen among their Season 5 players, according to the same previews. With the Knight Riders also playing at home on Sunday 29 November against Sharjah Warriorz, this will be their second game in two days.

Final squads and playing elevens are confirmed closer to the match, so check the official ILT20 channels for team news.

Match night at Zayed Cricket Stadium

Zayed Cricket Stadium is part of the Abu Dhabi Cricket and Sports Hub in Khalifa City and holds more than 20,000 people. Seating is unreserved and first come, first served, and some seats have restricted views, so groups who want to sit together should arrive together. The evening start avoids the afternoon sun, which makes this one of the more comfortable fixtures to attend.

By car, take Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, then the Abu Dhabi to Al Ain Truck Road (E30), followed by Al Mudwi Street and Al Mabrouk Street, taking the second exit at the two roundabouts that follow. The listing strongly recommends GPS. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are also available.

Entry rules

• Children aged 5 and over need a ticket; under-5s can sit on an adult’s lap without one, and anyone under 15 must be with an adult.
• Not allowed: alcohol, weapons, fireworks, metal cans, glass bottles and banners with political, religious or offensive messages. Outside food and drink, drones, strollers, umbrellas, camping chairs and oversized bags are restricted, with no storage on site.
• Betting is banned inside the venue, and bags may be searched.
• Tickets are emailed 48 hours before the match, with a limit of 10 per person.

Who it suits

This is the one for Abu Dhabi-based fans of either side, and for anyone in the capital who wants an evening of T20 after work. For more fixtures, see our UAE sports events, what is on in November and more things to do in Abu Dhabi.