Dubai Capitals sign Rovman Powell, Dasun Shanaka among others for ILT20

Dubai Capitals, owned by the GMR group, have announced the signings of West Indian power hitter Rovman Powell and the Sri Lankan white-ball skipper Dasun Shanaka for the inaugural edition of the UAE International League T20.

The GMR group, which also co-owns the Indian Premier League franchise Delhi Capitals, acquired the services of Windies all-rounder Fabian Allen, Afghan spin ace Mujeeb Ur Rahman, in-form Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza, Sri Lankan pacer Dushmantha Chameera and his compatriot Bhanuka Rajapaksa, in addition to Rovman Powell and Dasun Shanaka.

The business group had announced their involvement in the newly introduced UAE-based T20 league earlier this year after their acquisition of the Dubai side, which was later named the Dubai Capitals, acting as the sister club to the Delhi Capitals.

The Dubai-based side has so far announced seven of their signings, out of which only Sikandar Raza and Dasun Shanaka are the ones who have not represented an IPL franchise in their career. Powell (Delhi Capitals), Rajapaksa (Punjab Kings), Fabian Allen (Mumbai Indians), Chameera (Lucknow Super Giants), and Mujeeb (Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2021), have all had their taste of IPL action.

Dubai Capitals join the likes of the MI Emirates, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, and Gulf Giants in announcing signings for ILT20

The tempting cash-rich UAE league is set to commence in January next year and has already received multi-year approval from the apex cricketing body, the ICC. The league will feature a total of 34 matches taking place in the lavish cricketing facilities of Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi. Reliance Industries, Kolkata Knight Riders, Capri Global, Lancer Capital, and Adani Sportsline are the other entities that have acquired teams in the league.

Notably, the other sides in the ILT20, the Reliance Industries-owned MI Emirates, Knight Riders group-owned Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, and the Adani Sportsline-owned Gulf Giants have already announced their squads for the inaugural edition of the tournament, to be played from January 6 to February 12, 2023.

Dubai Capitals squad: Rovman Powell, Hazratullah Zazai, Daniel Lawrence, George Munsey, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Niroshan Dickwella, Sikandar Raza, Dasun Shanaka, Fabian Allen, Isuru Udana, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Dushmantha Chameera, Fred Klaassen, Blessing Muzarabani