West Indies' pace leader
Alzarri Joseph broke through as a teenager at the 2016 Under-19 World Cup, where his pace and bounce marked him out, and he has been West Indies' premier fast bowler since. He has taken five-wicket hauls in Test cricket, led the attack in World Cups, and played in the IPL for Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where his ability to bowl at the death has been his calling card. He bowls genuinely fast, hits the deck hard, and gets bounce that troubles even the best batters.
- Role: Bowler
- Team: Gulf Giants
- Batting: Right-handed
- Bowling: Right-arm fast
- Born: 20 November 1996
The $230,000 fee made him the Giants' third-biggest signing after Livingstone and Gurbaz, which tells you how the franchise sees its weakness: the batting was already the best in the league, and the money went on the bowler who could defend it. Joseph is not a support act — he is the attack's leader.
The new-ball spearhead
Joseph's job is the new ball and the death, the two hardest phases of a T20 innings. With the new ball he bowls fast and full, looking for the early wicket that sets the tone; at the death he bowls yorkers and slower balls, looking to close the game. He will share the new ball with his brother Shamar or with Blessing Muzarabani, and the three of them give the Giants a pace attack with real speed — the fastest in the league on paper.
His partnership with his younger brother Shamar is one of the stories of the season: two Antiguan brothers opening the bowling for the same franchise, one established and one still rising. The Giants have bet their bowling on the Joseph brothers, and Alzarri is the senior partner.
Pace is the Giants' answer
Gulf Giants' problem in recent seasons has been clear: the batting could win any game, but the bowling could lose it. The Season 5 auction was the answer — $230,000 on Alzarri Joseph, $80,000 on his brother Shamar, and a pace attack rebuilt around speed. If the Joseph brothers take early wickets, the Giants' batting chases small totals; if they do not, the batting has to win shootouts every week.
What’s next
The Giants open away from home, and their new pace leader gets his first outing in Sharjah: Sharjah Warriorz on Sunday 22 November, in the afternoon.
- Match 2 — vs Sharjah Warriorz: Sunday 22 November 2026, afternoon session, Sharjah.
- Match 5 — vs MI Emirates: Tuesday 24 November 2026, evening session, Dubai.
- Match 10 — vs Dubai Capitals: Saturday 28 November 2026, evening session, Dubai.
Qualifier 1 is on Tuesday 16 December, the Eliminator on Wednesday 17 December, Qualifier 2 on Friday 18 December in Sharjah, and the final on Sunday 20 December in Dubai.
See the ILT20 Schedule page for every fixture in the season. Results land on SialTV as they happen, with the points table updated after every match day.
Frequently asked questions
How much did Gulf Giants pay for Alzarri Joseph?
He was signed at the Season 5 auction on 1 October 2026 for $230,000, the Giants' third-biggest buy.
Is Alzarri Joseph related to Shamar Joseph?
They are brothers, both fast bowlers from Antigua, and both play for Gulf Giants in Season 5.
When is Gulf Giants' first match?
Match 2 against Sharjah Warriorz on Sunday 22 November 2026, in the afternoon session, in Sharjah.