Dubai Capitals complete Global Super League lineup

ILT20 winners Dubai Capitals will complete the line-up at the second season of Guyana's Global Super League (GSL) in July, as the tournament looks to frame itself as the reincarnation of the Champions League T20 (CLT20).

The first edition of the invite-only GSL took place in December, with Bangladesh's Rangpur Riders winning the inaugural title. Rangpur will return for the 2025 edition along with Hobart Hurricanes and Central Stags - champions of the Big Bash League and Super Smash respectively - along with hosts Guyana Amazon Warriors.

The tournament's concept draws heavily on the CLT20, which brought the best teams from major leagues around the world together, but has not been staged since 2014. Arun Dhumal, the IPL's chairman, told ESPNcricinfo last month that he would be open to its return: "If it creates value for cricket at a global stage, definitely we can look at it."

The GSL launched last year with the backing of national president Mohammad Irfan Ali and title sponsorship from ExxonMobil, the US oil giant which discovered oil off Guyana's north coast a decade ago. The country now has vast oil reserves and its economy is the fastest-growing in the world. The GSL says one of its aims is "enhancing Guyana's reputation on the world stage".

"We look forward to welcoming the Dubai Capitals to Guyana for this year's GSL," Clive Lloyd, the league's chairman, said. "Their reputation as ILT20 champions speaks volumes, and their inclusion will undoubtedly enhance the quality and spectacle of the cricket on offer."

Dubai Capitals became the first team owned by GMR Group, the Indian conglomerate who co-own Delhi Capitals in the IPL, to win a trophy when they beat Desert Vipers in the ILT20 final earlier this year.

"We are thrilled to see Dubai Capitals competing on yet another prestigious international stage," Satyam Trivedi, the CEO of GMR's sports arm, said. "The Guyana Global Super League represents a fantastic opportunity to showcase top-tier cricket and foster global connections, and we're extremely proud to be part of it."

The GSL will run from July 10-18, with a single round-robin between the five competing teams followed by the final. All 11 matches will be played at Providence Stadium.