Holder named Abu Dhabi Knight Riders captain

West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder is the new captain of the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders for the upcoming 2025-26 edition of the International League T20 (ILT20).

Following a standout season with the team, the 33-year-old Barbadian replaces fellow West Indian Sunil Narine, who led the side in the previous seasons.

Holder joined the franchise earlier this year for the ILT20 2025 season and quickly made his mark with impressive all-round performances.

Despite the team finishing at the bottom of the points table, Holder stood out, claiming 17 wickets and scoring 126 runs at a blistering strike rate of 180.

Holder, a former West Indies captain, will lead a star-studded squad, featuring marquee players such as Andre Russell, Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt, Sherfane Rutherford and Narine.

His leadership, combined with his vast T20 experience across multiple leagues worldwide, is expected to bring renewed balance and energy to the side.

The Knight Riders failed to shine under Narine’s leadership, managing only three wins, while suffering seven defeats in their ten matches during the 2025 season, which left them rooted at the bottom of the table in the six-team tournament.

The team also struggled in the 2023 and 2024 editions, finishing in the cellar position in both campaigns.

The Knight Riders will bowl off their ILT20 2025-26 season against Sharjah Warriorz in Sharjah on December 3.

(CMC)