With two teams already through and only four league matches left, the ILT20 2025 playoff race has finally found some clarity. MI Emirates became the second side to qualify after dismantling Gulf Giants in Abu Dhabi, riding on a tight bowling effort and an unbeaten 140-run partnership between Nicholas Pooran and Muhammad Waseem. They now join Desert Vipers in the top two.
That leaves four teams chasing the last two playoff berths with barely a week left in the league phase. The margin for error is slim and the remaining fixtures are perfectly positioned to decide the final four. Two spots. Four contenders. Here’s how each of them stands.
ILT20 Points Table (Dec 24)
| Team | P | W | L | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desert Vipers (Q) | 9 | 7 | 2 | 14 | +0.446 |
| MI Emirates (Q) | 9 | 6 | 3 | 12 | +0.576 |
| Dubai Capitals | 8 | 4 | 4 | 8 | +0.836 |
| Gulf Giants | 9 | 3 | 6 | 6 | -0.161 |
| Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 9 | 3 | 6 | 6 | -0.805 |
| Sharjah Warriorz | 8 | 3 | 5 | 6 | -0.910 |
ILT20 2025 Playoff Qualification Scenarios
Dubai Capitals (8 points, 2 matches left)
Matches:
vs Sharjah (Dec 24), vs MI Emirates (Dec 27)
- Win both → 12 points → Will Qualify
- Win one → 10 points → Will Qualify
- Lose both → 8 points → Dependent on others collapsing
Capitals are in the strongest position among the chasers, as they need just one win in two matches to certainly qualify.
Sharjah Warriorz (6 points, 2 matches left)
Matches:
vs Dubai Capitals (Dec 24), vs Desert Vipers (Dec 26)
- Win both → 10 points → Will Qualify
- Win one → 8 points → Only possible if Giants & ADKR also finish on 6–8
- Lose both → Eliminated
Warriorz must upset at least one top side to stay alive.
Gulf Giants (6 points, 1 match left)
Match:
vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Dec 28)
- Win → 8 points → Need Sharjah Warriorz to lose at least 1 game
- Lose → Eliminated
Must win vs ADKR on December 28.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (6 points, 1 match left)
Match:
vs Gulf Giants (Dec 28)
- Win → 8 points → Same situation as Giants
- Lose → Eliminated
Their negative NRR makes their job even tougher.
One playoff spot is likely heading to Dubai Capitals. The last spot will be a messy fight between Sharjah, Giants and ADKR, with the Giants vs ADKR game on Dec 28 acting as a virtual eliminator.
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