The Emirates Cricket Board approved the International League T20 (ILT20), a brand-new and thrilling T20 tournament to be contested in the UAE, in February 2021. However, it took a year to put it into practise because to Covid limitations. Now, it's all prepared to go off on January 13 in Dubai with a bang.
The schedule for the first season has been released, with the opening match on January 13 pitting Dubai Capitals against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. On February 12, the inaugural league's championship game will take place. During the league stage, which is followed by four play-off games, each of the six teams—Dubai Capitals, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, Sharjah Warriors, and Desert Vipers—will play each other twice.
Vice President of the Emirates Cricket Board and a member of the Asian Cricket Council, Khalid Al Zarooni, said: "The ECB is really eager to move forward with this new T20 league because we think it will help cricket in the UAE gain more recognition and popularity. We also hope that these possibilities will allow our UAE-based athletes to establish themselves internationally and display their abilities."
Media reports state that the league's overall salary cap is $2.5 million per team. After the Indian Premier League, it is now the second-richest T20 tournament in the world (IPL).
The IPL is the most profitable T20 competition for players, but the league has reportedly negotiated contracts worth $450,000 for the top players.
The players' pay will be approximately twice as much as what they receive in other local leagues. Additionally, no taxes will be withheld from their earnings.
The Big Bash League in Australia, in comparison, has a salary cap of $238,000 for the highest-paid player per season. Only IPL currently rivals ILT20 in terms of the sums offered to the best players.
On January 13, a concert including Bollywood and international stars is scheduled to kick off the league. The T20 league's anthem is the teaser song, which is performed by famous rapper Badshah.
There will be 24 UAE players and 84 players from other countries competing in the tournament. The teams include Sharjah Warriors, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Kolkata Knight Riders), Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline), Desert Vipers (Lancer Capital), Dubai Capitals (GMR), and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Kolkata Knight Riders) (Capri Global).
"The league has discussed with all the boards to secure the players and continues to work with them," reads an official statement.
The matches will be played at the world-class cricket facilities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
Incedentally, five of the six teams in ILT20 are owned by Indians.
Talking to IANS, Rajesh Sharma, Founder-Director, Capri Global Holdings, which owns Sharjah Warriors, said, "When one thinks of the UAE, one thinks of the word 'Majestic'. The country is awe-inspiring in every way. It is the land of opportunity and the ILT20 is similar in that sense. The players and support staff from different nationalities will come together to face-off in a high-intensity tournament for a month. It caters to three major markets, MENA, South Asia and Europe, thereby connecting fans from across the world, making it a wonderful, packaged opportunity for global sponsors and local entities."
Sharma said when asked what kind of profits he expects from this league: "Finding effective team ownership models is not difficult. When it first began, the IPL was seen as a dangerous venture as well. It goes without saying that both business and sports include risk and reward. Having said that, we are convinced that the investments will bear fruit in the future given all the advantages that the nation, league, and venues present."
The ILT20 trophy was unveiled in October of last year at a stakeholders event by Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board.
The silver trophy was created and produced by the eminent English trophy maker Thomas Lyte and reflects the rich heritage and culture of the UAE. The official bird of the UAE, the falcon, is leading the trophy in a direction that points to the Burj Khalifa, the amazing sand dunes, and the seven Emirates. The award is 830 mm tall, which corresponds to the Burj Khalifa's 830-meter height.
ILT20's CEO, Subhan Ahmed, said: "Cricket is supported internationally by the UAE. Whether it is the IPL, PCL, or the T20 World Cup, we have been organising leagues of different nations in the UAE. Therefore, why can't we form our own league? The ILT20 will be fantastic for the UAE's homegrown cricket potential."
There are 52 cricket venues in the UAE, according to Ahmed, where regional competitions are held.
"Four local players have been included in each ILT20 team in consideration of local cricket, which will inspire and motivate the remaining local talent to perform better. ILT20 clashes with a few other leagues on the ICC calendar, and some players aren't available because of the schedules set by their individual boards, but this is just the beginning. Starting with the following season, things will be simpler "said he.
Andre Russell, Trent Boult, Shimron Hetmyer, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Alex Hales, Moeen Ali, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Mohammad Nabi, Nicholas Pooran, Dasun Shanaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and Wanindu Hasaranga are just a few of the notable players that have joined the league. In the commentary box, you'll see former cricket players like Robin Uthappa, Wasim Akram, Nikhil Chopra, Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag, Mohammad Azharuddin, and Anjum Chopra.
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh said, "It is a big step for UAE cricket to have its own league. The country has hosted three IPLs and knows how to organise a big ticket event. Big congratulations to UAE cricket and ILT20."