DUBAI (June 08): The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed the playing window for the inaugural edition of its upcoming T20 tournament, which will be called the “International League T20” or “ILT20”.
The ECB will conduct the six-team ILT20 between January 6 and February 12, 2023.
Out of the six franchises, five are owned by Indian companies, including Reliance Industries, which owns Mumbai Indians, Shah Rukh Khan’s Knight Riders Group, Delhi Capitals co-owners GMR, Adani Sportsline and Capri Global. The sixth company – Lancer Capitals – belongs to the Glazer family, which owns Premier league giants Manchester United.
ILT20 will be played over a 34-match schedule at venues across UAE. The first event is scheduled to run between 6th January and 12th February 2023. The tournament will also provide a valuable platform for Emirates Cricket to take developing their local talent to a higher level, where UAE-based players currently integrated in the board’s program, as well as those identified by the High Performance Coaching and Selection Committee teams, will be given the opportunity to train and play alongside some of the world’s best minds of today’s game.
Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan said, “Emirates Cricket Board is delighted to welcome Reliance Industries, Kolkata Knight Riders, Capri Global, GMR, Lancer Capital, Adani Sportsline, broadcaster ZEE and all other stakeholders to the newly established T20 League of UAE. Such illustrious, experienced names and entites as partners bodes well for the UAE T20 League. Through the commitment of these partners they have demonstrated confidence in the Emirates Cricket Board as we take the game into the future.”
Speaking of ZEE, the network has reportedly committed to pay ECB $12 million a year as broadcast rights fees for the event. For a 34-game event, this works out to $353,000 per game.
“As we begin this long journey I am confident that together we will achieve new heights and in the process provide entertainment and excitement to the millions of fans around the globe who are waiting for the first ball of the UAE T20 League to be bowled.
“On behalf of ECB let me assure everyone that whilst being entertained on field with cricket, you will also be entertained by our traditional UAE hospitality off the field.”
Khalid Al Zarooni, chairman, ILT20, said: “Emirates Cricket, and the UAE, has a proven history of identifying and embracing initiatives that underpin the success of the game. It is vitally important, that through this tournament UAE-based players continue to flourish which is one of the objective of this League.”
“The ILT20 wishes to thank His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Chairman of ECB for his unstinting support to UAE cricket which, under his guidance, has been growing from strength to strength. We look forward to introducing to the world a T20 event that will provide unmatched competition and entertainment to the ardent followers of this game.”
Dr Tayeb Kamali, chairman, Selection Committee – Emirates Cricket Board said: “The annual ILT20 event presents an excellent exposure for our players given the highly intense and competitive nature of the league. Each of the six teams in the 34-match tournament provide a wonderful opportunity for our young cricketers to play competitive cricket with world-class players.
“Further, such a unique international league would play a big role in attracting and nurturing a larger pool of players who will go on to represent the UAE in the years to come. We look forward to the inaugural event and our players taking full advantage of the opportunity.”
