ILT20

The International League T20 (ILT20), also endorsed as the DP World ILT20 for sponsorship reasons, is a T20 cricket tournament being played in the United Arab Emirates. It is sanctioned by Emirates Cricket Board.

The first edition of the tournament was originally scheduled to take place during January and February 2023, but it was rescheduled to take place from January 2024, with six teams competing. In June 2022, the league was formally named the International League T20, with the dates for the first season also being confirmed.

Matches in Season 1 were played using standard Twenty20 formats, statistics were not included in official records because Emirates Cricket Board is not a full-member of the International Cricket Council. In December 2023, the ILT20 became the first Associate-run franchise league to obtain List A status, allowing its statistics to be included.

Overview

The International League T20 (ILT20) is a professional Twenty20 cricket league in the United Arab Emirates. The league was founded in 2022 and is sanctioned by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB). The inaugural season of the ILT20 took place from January 13 to February 12, 2023, with six teams competing. The teams were: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai Capitals, Desert Vipers, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, Sharjah Warriors.

The ILT20 is played in a double round-robin format, with each team playing each other team twice. The top four teams at the end of the regular season qualify for the playoffs. The playoffs consist of two semi-finals, a third-place play-off, and a final.

The first ILT20 season was won by the Gulf Giants, who defeated Desert Vipers in the final. The tournament was a success, with good crowds and positive feedback from players and fans. The ILT20 is expected to become a major cricket league in the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East. The league has a number of rules designed to help young players develop, such as a requirement that each team must have at least two players under the age of 23.

Owners of IPL franchises Knight Riders Group (ADKR), Reliance Industries (MIE) and GMR Group (DC), along with Lancer Capitals (DV), Adani Group (GG) and Capri Global Holdings Pvt. Ltd. (SW), were announced as owners of the teams. The three IPL franchise owners (i.e. the owners of Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals) also got the chance to sign up to four players from their current IPL squads. Gujarat Giants and the UP Warriorz">Gujarat_Giants_(WPL).html" ;"title="n addition, Adani Group and Capri Global Holdings Pvt. Ltd. also own the Gujarat Giants and the UP Warriorz teams respectively in the Women's Premier League (cricket)">Women's Premier League in India.">Gujarat Giants (WPL)">Gujarat Giants and the UP Warriorz teams respectively in the Women's Premier League (cricket)">Women's Premier League in India.

Background

The UAE-based ILT20, one of the major franchise-run T20 leagues around the world despite being just a season old because of the quality of players it has attracted, has been given List A status by the ICC just over a month off the start of its second season. It is the first T20 league run by the board of an Associate nation to be given this status.

What it means is that the tournament will now be recognised as an official T20 tournament, with all tournament statistics given official status. In a statement, the ILT20 called the update "a major milestone" and a "major boost".

"Earning the List A status is a major milestone for the DP World International League T20. We would like to thank the ICC for the acknowledgment," David White, chief executive of the league, said. "The recognition is a clear indication of the strength and stature of our league."

The second edition of the tournament will kick off on January 19 and end on February 17.

The first 2 seasons accumulated 340 Million views globally. 108 million people tuned in from across India even though attendance was low.

Trophy

The ILT20 Trophy was designed and made by London-based goldsmiths, silversmiths and Royal Warrant holders, Thomas Lyte.

Unveiled in October 2022, the trophy's design is intended to reflect both the spirit of the league and the rich heritage and culture of the UAE. The trophy measures 830mm in height, directly proportional to the 830m Burj Khalifa. The falcon is the UAE’s national bird, and its teardrop shape makes up the trophy’s form, while the seven Emirates that make up the UAE form a seven-pointed crown. Inspired by the shape of the sands of Tel Moreeb, the finial sits on top of the trophy holding a cricket ball.

Before the start of the second edition of the tournament, the Thomas Lyte trophy embarked on a tour of India and was showcased around the country’s major cities, towns and cricket hubs.

Teams

Tournament results

Teams' performances

* Champions
* Runners Up

Grounds

Rules

The ILT20 has a number of rules which vary from the established Laws of cricket or those used in other Twenty20 leagues:
*Nine out of eleven players on each team can be overseas players, which will be significantly higher than the four or five overseas-player-limit of other major T20 leagues. Two players on each team must be a UAE player and a player from an Associate Member nation respectively.
*Teams can use a substitute, termed an "Super Sub", from a list of Seven players named as possible substitutes. The substitution can be made before the start of innings, when a wicket falls, when a batter retires, or at the end of an over. Both teams can introduce a substitute once per match.

Controversy

There has been some controversy around the ILT20's plan to only require one local (UAE) player in the playing XI of each team, with several Full Members calling for regulations requiring a higher minimum number of local players in the ILT20 and other T20 leagues. Attendance was low due to lack of participation of Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani cricketers.

Records and Statistics

Broadcasters

In May 2021, Essel Group owned Zee Entertainment Enterprises bought the media rights of this league for ten years from 2023 to 2032 at a cost of US$120 million. (Also see approx. $10.2 million a year). The events are attended by international celebrities and cricket legends every year.

*Source: ILT20

References

External links

International League T20 official website

Series home
at ESPNcricinfo

{{Twenty20 cricket domestic competitions

Cricket in the United Arab Emirates
Twenty20 cricket leagues
Emirati domestic cricket competitions
Sports leagues established in 2022
Professional cricket leagues
Professional sports leagues in the United Arab Emirates
Proposed sports leagues