Brett Lee and Shoaib Akhtar Named ILT20 Season 5 Ambassadors
Brett Lee and Shoaib Akhtar are the official ambassadors for ILT20 Season 5. The two fast bowling greats were unveiled together at the DP World ILT20 Season 5 launch in Dubai on 9 September 2026, where they joined a panel hosted by former New Zealand player Simon Doull. Lee, who now lives in Dubai, will represent the league alongside his old rival from Pakistan as the UAE’s T20 league heads into its fifth season, which runs from 21 November to 20 December 2026.
Season 5 is packed with fast bowling talent, which is exactly what both legends talked about at the launch. You can see when every team plays on the full ILT20 2026 fixture list, check which quicks each side signed on the ILT20 team pages, and follow the wicket takers on our ILT20 bowling leaderboard once play begins.
ILT20 Season 5 Ambassadors at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Ambassadors | Brett Lee (Australia) and Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan) |
| Announced at | DP World ILT20 Season 5 launch, Dubai |
| Date | Wednesday 9 September 2026 |
| Panel host | Simon Doull |
| Season 5 dates | 21 November to 20 December 2026 |
| Venues | Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah |
| Final | Dubai International Stadium |
What Brett Lee Said About the ILT20
Lee won the 2003 World Cup with Australia and has since made Dubai his home. He was clearly enjoying his new role. “I’m delighted to be joining the DP World ILT20 as a tournament ambassador,” he said at the launch, before adding that his only regret about moving to Dubai was not doing it 20 years earlier.
What stands out for him is how open the league has been. “What excites me is that out of the four tournaments we’ve had so far we’ve had four different winners,” Lee said. Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, Dubai Capitals and Desert Vipers have each lifted the trophy once, and Lee hopes the next big story is local. He said he would love the next star to be “a local Emirati kid” and that “local cricket has come on leaps and bounds in the UAE.”
Lee also believes young UAE players gain a lot from simply being around world class cricketers and seeing how they act away from the field. In his view, that is how the UAE can one day challenge the bigger cricket nations.
What Shoaib Akhtar Said About the ILT20
Akhtar holds the record for the fastest ball in international cricket at 161.3 kph, so it was no surprise that pace was his main theme. “It’s a pleasure to return to the DP World ILT20 as a tournament ambassador,” he said, and he summed up the appeal of the league simply. “The best thing about the ILT20 is just the fast bowling.”
He also praised the progress of UAE cricketers, especially the local fast bowlers, who he said have improved every season. Sharing the stage with Lee clearly meant a lot to him, as having his old rival alongside him “just brings back very old memories.”
From Fierce Rivals to ILT20 Partners
For fans who grew up in the early 2000s, Lee against Akhtar was the battle every cricket fan wanted to see. Both men regularly bowled above 150 kph, and both chased the title of the fastest bowler in the world. Akhtar broke the 100 mph barrier in 2003, and Lee was rarely far behind.
Off the field the story is very different. “We’ve been mates and worked together for 27 years now,” Lee said at the launch. Bringing the two together is a clever move by the league, because they connect with fans in Australia, Pakistan, India and across the Gulf, where both men have huge followings.
What Will Lee and Akhtar Do as ILT20 Ambassadors?
- Promote Season 5 to fans in the UAE and around the world.
- Appear at league events and in coverage during the season.
- Share their fast bowling knowledge with young UAE players.
- Help grow the profile of Emirati cricket, something Lee spoke about strongly at the launch.
Akhtar hinted that the pair could also work together around matches, watching, talking cricket and enjoying the game side by side. The league has not yet confirmed any commentary or coaching roles for either of them.
Other Highlights From the Season 5 Launch
The league revealed a new brand identity for Season 5 on the same night. ILT20 chairman Khalid Al Zarooni looked back on how far the competition has come. “What began as a dream has grown into one of the world’s leading cricket leagues,” he said. League commissioner Mubashshir Usmani, who is also general secretary of the Emirates Cricket Board, spoke about the rise of the league too.
Simon Doull also hosted a second panel with partners from DP World, the Dubai Sports Council, ZEE Entertainment, SportFive and Bisleri, looking at the future of cricket in the region.
Fast Bowlers to Watch in ILT20 2026
Akhtar is right that this league is a great stage for pace. Season 5 features Fazalhaq Farooqi, now the most expensive player in ILT20 history at $380,000 for MI Emirates, along with Naseem Shah at Desert Vipers, Alzarri Joseph at Gulf Giants, Mustafizur Rahman at Dubai Capitals and Richard Gleeson at Sharjah Warriorz. With two legends of fast bowling watching, the quicks will have plenty to prove.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the ILT20 Season 5 ambassadors?
Former Australia fast bowler Brett Lee and former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.
When were Brett Lee and Shoaib Akhtar named ILT20 ambassadors?
At the DP World ILT20 Season 5 launch in Dubai on 9 September 2026.
Does Brett Lee live in Dubai?
Yes. Lee now lives in Dubai and said his only regret is that he did not move there 20 years earlier.
What did Shoaib Akhtar say about the ILT20?
He said the best thing about the ILT20 is the fast bowling, and he praised how much UAE fast bowlers have improved.
Who is the fastest bowler between Shoaib Akhtar and Brett Lee?
Shoaib Akhtar holds the record for the fastest ball in international cricket at 161.3 kph, bowled in 2003.
When does ILT20 Season 5 start?
Season 5 starts on 21 November 2026 and the final is on 20 December at Dubai International Stadium.
Last updated: 10 October 2026
