The 27-year-old is no stranger to the MI set-up and has been a key figure in their global network of teams. Earlier this year he led MI Cape Town to their first SA20 title, beating Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the final.
Rashid also represented MI New York in Major League Cricket (MLC) during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, although he opted out of the 2025 edition. For MI Emirates, he previously featured in two matches in 2023 where he took four wickets and demonstrated his trademark control and guile.
However, Rashid will not be available for the entire ILT20 season, which runs until January 4, 2026. He is expected to remain with the squad until around December 20 before traveling to South Africa to join MI Cape Town for the 2025-26 SA20 season, where they open their campaign against Durban’s Super Giants on December 26.
MI Emirates, the ILT20 2024 champions, begin their title defense against the Gulf Giants in Dubai on December 4. In 2024, MI Emirates defeated Dubai Capitals by 45 runs in the final, securing their first trophy in the history of the competition. Led by Kieron Pollard, the team performed consistently well and qualified for the play-offs in each of the previous three editions. They finished fourth last season and are looking to come back strong in the current season.
Rashid Khan remains the leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket, with an astonishing 681 wickets in 499 matches, underscoring the value he brings to every side he represents. ILT20’s 2025-2026 season kicked off on December 2, with Desert Vipers defeating defending champions Dubai Capitals, while Abu Dhabi Knight Riders opened their account with a win over Sharjah Warriorz on December 3.
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