Sharjah Warriors: ILT20 Franchise Profile and History
Profile of Sharjah Warriors, a UAE ILT20 franchise based around Sharjah Cricket Stadium: how it began, who owns it and the venue it is linked to.
Sharjah Warriors are one of the six franchises in the International League T20, the Twenty20 competition played in the United Arab Emirates. The team is named after the emirate of Sharjah, a place with a deep and well-known history in international cricket.
Origins
The ILT20 began in early 2023, with the Emirates Cricket Board overseeing the league. Sharjah Warriors joined as one of the founding franchises, backed by the Indian financial company Capri Global. Their identity draws on the emirate’s strong cricketing tradition.
The Sharjah connection
Sharjah Cricket Stadium became famous in the 1980s and 1990s as a host of regular limited-overs tournaments, including the Austral-Asia Cup and the Sharjah Cup, which attracted many of the sport’s biggest names. The ground is widely associated with memorable one-day finishes and with Sachin Tendulkar’s celebrated innings there in 1998. For a franchise to carry the Sharjah name is therefore a link to cricket history as well as to the modern league.
Playing conditions
The stadium is known for a relatively small playing area and pitches that can aid spin as a match progresses. ILT20 matches are shared between Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, so the Warriors’ conditions vary during the tournament.
Looking at the team
The Warriors have competed in the league since its first season, rebuilding their squad each year through the auction and direct signings. Because rosters and results change from season to season, this page does not list current players or standings. For official records, the ILT20’s own statistics are the best reference.
Frequently asked questions
Where do Sharjah Warriors play?
They are linked to Sharjah Cricket Stadium, though ILT20 matches are also staged in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Who owns Sharjah Warriors?
The franchise is owned by Capri Global.
Which league do they play in?
They play in the International League T20 (ILT20) in the United Arab Emirates.