West Indies stalwarts Sunil Narine and Nicholas Pooran are brimming with confidence as they are determined to guide their respective franchises to success in the highly anticipated third edition of the DP World ILT20 Tournament in the UAE.

Pooran, captain of defending champions MI Emirates, is optimistic about repeating last season’s triumph, as he emphasized the importance of maintaining their winning formula.

The aggressive left-hander was instrumental in his team’s success last season as he amassed a remarkable 354 runs across 10 innings.

“I’ve been a part of the competition since its inception. Winning is something we take very seriously, and we’re eager to get started. We understand what it takes to succeed, and having a strong core is crucial,” said Pooran as he looked ahead to their campaign.

Meanwhile, T20 veteran Sunil Narine, skipper of the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, expressed confidence in his team’s ability to compete at the highest level.

Narine, known for his tactical acumen and on-field versatility, highlighted the importance of strong starts in the tournament.

“We have our eyes on the prize. As captain, it’s about finding your way to lead, and I feel I’m improving with every game. A key for us will be our powerplay performances with both bat and ball, and we’re confident in the quality of our players. A strong start is what we’re aiming for,” Narine said.

The tournament begins on Saturday with a thrilling opening match between MI Emirates and Dubai Capitals—a rematch of last season’s final—at the iconic Dubai International Stadium. The clash also pits Pooran against Windies T20 captain Rovman Powell and promises to set the tone for a month of action-packed cricket as some of the region’s best players aim for supremacy with their respective teams.