Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
The UAE’s premier cricket tournament with the most global appeal in the world, the DP World International League T20 (ILT20), will resume with its newly found window for the second time when it will begin on November 22.
The organisers have announced that the “second-most watched T20 league in the world” will have its fifth season start from a little earlier than Eid Al Etihad, which was the date the ILT20 moved to last year. That was due to a crowded calendar but primarily also because the world governing body held its ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India around February, the usual slot for ILT20 since it began in 2022.
With each passing season, the DP World ILT20 tournament, spanning nearly a month in duration, has tried to add value while trying to outdo the competition in a crowded window for cricketing leagues such as the South Africa T20, the Big Bash League in Australia, and occasionally with the irregular Lanka Premier League.
This year, the Afghanistan Cricket Board are also trying to get their league together after announcing their intent last year. Plans are afoot for a five-team league to be held in the UAE around the month of October.
The six-team, 34-match ILT20 tournament, which has featured some of the biggest T20 stars over the years, will climax now on December 20 at the Dubai International Stadium.
Last year’s final was held on January 4, also in Dubai, as the Desert Vipers collected their maiden trophy with a 46-run win over the Abu Dhabi-based MI Emirates.
“We are pleased to confirm the DP World International League T20 Season 5 window,” said David White, the league CEO.
He expressed delight at the success of the previous season as “the biggest cricketing spectacle in the Gulf region... the broadcast numbers, spectators’ interest and the participation of the biggest T20 stars made the tournament a remarkable success as the quality of the league grew further.”
“The DP World ILT20 continues to make massive strides, and our strategic partnerships with the Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation and Kuwait Cricket are already making a big impact. This year, these partnerships will be consolidated further through our development tournaments, which will be played in both countries prior to Season 5.
“The DP World ILT20 Season 4 Player Auction was a great success as well, and we are already gearing up for this year’s auction. There are a number of exciting announcements and initiatives that will be revealed in the coming days.”
