Royal Desert Champions have become the latest team to join the Abu Dhabi T10 as the tournament enters a new era under the stewardship of Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub (ADCSH). Royal Desert Champions takes its inspiration from the people who have made UAE their home – the dreamers who arrived with ambition, the builders who created something from ground up, and the achievers who continue to push the boundaries of what is possible. The team aims to celebrate that spirit of ambition, possibility and achievement, both on and off the field.
Royal Desert Champions have become the latest team to join the Abu Dhabi T10 as the tournament enters a new era under the stewardship of Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub (ADCSH)
“Royal Desert Champions is built on the belief that champions are revealed when conditions are toughest. Reflecting this spirit is the appointment of Trinidadian superstar Nicholas Pooran as the captain and Icon player of the new franchise, while England international Phil Salt and West Indies all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford have joined as direct signings, giving Royal Desert Champions an exciting core of proven short-format talent. Pooran is widely regarded as one of the standout talents of West Indies’ second generation of T20 stars. Royal Desert Champions take their identity from resolute desert characteristics forged in a demanding environment. The desert embodies the qualities we want this team to stand for – resilience, courage, adaptability, and ambition.
Together, the three signings send an early signal of the Royal Desert Champions’ ambitions ahead of their debut in the 2026 tournament, which runs from 7-20 November at Zayed Cricket Stadium in the UAE capital. He represented the West Indies in limited-overs cricket until 2024 and previously captained the national team. The new team has been founded by entrepreneur and former banker Amit Narang who has more than 17 years’ experience with leading international banks in India and the Emirates and has built a successful fintech business in the UAE.
Amit said the opportunity to create the first completely new franchise of the Abu Dhabi T10’s new era, backed by a strong group of initial signings, provides the foundations for ambitions extending well beyond on-field success.
