ILT 20: The second richest cricket league of cricket in Dubai from 13 January 2023

Cricket with thrill, glamour and with all the colours of entertainment

Dubai: In February 2021, Emirates Cricket approved a new, exciting and exclusive T20 league to be played in the Emirates. But due to covid and covid restrictions, it took a year to implement it. It is going to start with a bang from January 13, 2023, and a luxury chapter of cricket is going to open for the players. Khalid Al Zarooni, Vice President Emirates Cricket Board and Board Member of the Asian Cricket Council, said; “Our Board (ECB) is very excited to move forward with this new T20 league, which we believe will drive the growth and popularity of cricket being played in the UAE. We also envisage that our UAE-based sportspersons can showcase their talent on the international stage and make a name for themselves through such opportunities”.

The league, run by the Emirates Cricket Board, will potentially have a total salary cap of $2.5m (AED9m) per team, according to media reports. This will make it the second richest T20 tournament in the world after IPL. ILT20 will feature six franchises with an 18-member squad. Each team will play the other twice during the league stage followed by four playoff matches.

Also, read – ILT20: For AED20 you can enjoy UAE’s very own cricket league from January 13, 2023

According to sources, the UAE T20 League has signed contracts worth $450,000 (AED1m) for the top players. The team owners are preparing for stiff competition for players from other T20 leagues. UAE-based International League T20 (ILT20) is set to offer top players $450,000 (AED1m) per season, making it the second most lucrative T20 league for players after IPL.

What is attractive to these players is that they will be paid almost double the amount they get in other local leagues. And no tax will be charged on the money earned by them. The ILT20 has a salary cap of $2.5 million (AED9m) per team, which means players can earn $450,000 (AED1m) for only 12 matches. This is in sharp contrast to the Big Bash League where the highest-paid player cannot earn more than $238,000 (AED874,150) per season. As of now, only IPL can match ILT20 in terms of the amount paid to top players. It becomes important here that since the calendar of ILT 20 is clashing with Big Bash League and South Africa League, then what is the reason that the big players of cricket are getting attracted towards ILT 20?

The league will start with a concert on January 13, where Bollywood and international celebrities are expected to perform. The teaser song, sung by superstar rapper Badshah, is the anthem of this T20 league. Kicking off with a bang, the DP World ILT20 opening ceremony on January 13, 2023, will see Bollywood rap icon Badshah, who performed the official DP World ILT20 anthem “Halla Halla” and RnB sensation Jason Derulo.

The franchise teams include 84 international and 24 UAE players, including Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Kolkata Knight Riders), Desert Vipers (Lancer Capital), Dubai Capitals (GMR), Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline), MI Emirates (Reliance Industries), and Sharjah Warriors (Capri Global). , According to the official statement, “The league has discussed with all the boards to secure the players and continues to work with them.”

Teams will be played in a 34-match format across the UAE’s world-class cricket facilities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Cricket fans across the world can watch the live telecast of this exciting cricket league on the official media partner of the league, ZEE’s linear channel, digital platform Zee5, as well as Zee Cinema SD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema, &Pictures HD, &Flix SD. &Flix HD, Zee Zest SD, Zee Zest HD, Zee Bangla Cinema and Zee Thirai.

5 of the 6 teams of ILT20 are owned by Indians. Talking to IANS, Rajesh Sharma, Founder-Director, Capri Global Holdings, who owned Sharjah Warriors said, “When one thinks of 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. 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 across the world and hence making it a wonderful, packaged opportunity for global sponsors and local entities”.

With respect to Sharjah, it was of course a no-brainer. There are few home grounds in World Cricket with the rich history and significance of Sharjah International Cricket Stadium. It is impossible to look beyond the iconic moments the venue has produced in World Cricket and we as a franchise would love to give the local people of Sharjah some more wonderful memories to cherish for years to come. Sharjah is a venue that has hosted the largest number of ODIs, the charm and the nostalgia associated with it made me realize the dream of watching the stadium come live again and relive the frenzy of a Sharjah match!  – Rajesh Sharma added.

On the question of cricket ownership is already a crowded space, what sort of return you are looking at from this league? The management of Sharjah Warriors replied that One doesn’t need to look far in terms of successful team ownership models. The IPL too when it started was deemed a risky proposition. Risk & Reward are obviously part of both business and sport. Having said that, given all the elements the country, the league, and the venue have to offer, we are confident that the investments will pay rich dividends in time to come.

In October, His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board unveiled the ILT20 trophy at an ILT20 stakeholder event organized by the league’s stakeholders and cricket veterans. Designed and manufactured by world-renowned trophy maker, Thomas Lyte (England), the silver trophy brings together influences that reflect the UAE’s rich heritage and culture. Leading the trophy to this effect is the national bird – the falcon, pointing to the seven emirates, the incredible sand dunes, and the UAE’s most famous landmark, the Burj Khalifa. The trophy measures 830 mm, representing the height of the Burj Khalifa. Is.

Subhan Ahmed, CEO of ILT 20, said that it has always been our vision that the UAE has an international infrastructure for cricket. We have been organizing leagues of other countries in UAE, be it IPL, PCL, or Cricket World Cup, then why shouldn’t UAE have its own league? This will be great for the local cricket talent in UAE. As the team owners of the league also include the name of the owners of the IPL league which shows the attractiveness of ILT 20.

Subhan Ahmed said that there are 52 cricket grounds in UAE where local tournaments are held and the players practice. Keeping local cricket in mind, we have given place to 4 local players in each team, which will encourage and motivate the rest of the local talent to do better. Subhan Ahmed said that ILT 20 is clashing with some other leagues in the ICC calendar and some players are not free due to their board’s calendar but this is just a start. Things will be easier from the next season.

Big names and legends of international cricket have joined hands with ILT 20. Some of the greatest cricketing superstars such as Andre Russell, Trent Boult, Shimron Hetmyer, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, and Alex Hales will battle it out with top players from the UAE for the most coveted, coveted trophy. And faces like Robin Uthappa, Hasaranga, Wasim Akram, Nikhil Chopra, Harbhajan Singh, Sehwag, Azharuddin, and Anjum Chopra will be seen in the commentary box.

Ticket prices start from just AED12 with discounts to attract more visitors. Across 34 matches, ticket prices start from AED20 for general admission, while lounge access can be enjoyed for just AED60. Meanwhile, tickets for hospitality and lounges start from AED 120, and prices for VIP corporate boxes start from AED2,500. Children’s tickets cost just AED10 for all games. The sale of tickets has already started at Tickets.

In addition to the exciting action on the field, the organizers of ILT20 will focus on making the tournament an ideal place for families to experience fan activation initiatives, such as cheer squads and in-stadia fan moments. One such initiative is Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium’s hugely popular ‘Family-Zone’, located on the amphitheatre lawn in front of the ground, where families can relax and enjoy matches in the UAE’s mild winters, thereby Watching cricket becomes a great experience.

Players include Afghanistan, Australia, England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and the West Indies (Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad) as well as Italy, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Oman, Scotland, United States And players from UAE are also participating.

Several players, who will play for their respective franchises in the inaugural International League T20 in the United Arab Emirates in January next year, have made a mark in the world’s recently played T20 tournaments and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Alex Hales, one of the biggest names playing in the league, will be seen dazzling the crowd in the Desert Vipers jersey. Hales’ T20 World Cup-winning teammates Moeen Ali (Sharjah Warriors), Chris Jordan (Gulf Giants), Dawid Malan (Sharjah Warriors), and Chris Woakes (Sharjah Warriors) and leading New Zealand pacer Trent Boult (MI Emirates) will also feature in the ILT20. I will kill the league with my performance. Afghanistan team captains, Mohammad Nabi, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Rehmanullah Gurbaz, as well as Fazal Haq Farooqui and Najibullah Zadran will also feature in the league. Among the new talent, Netherlands all-rounders Bas de Leede, Frederick Klaasen, and Brandon Glover will be seen on the ground. Other international players Akil Hossein, Raymon Reifer, Rovman Powell, Evin Lewis, Sheldon Cottrell, Nicholas Pooran, Dasun Shanaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Charith Aslanka will be seen playing for different teams in the league.

Charith Aslanka said, “It is always good to play in an international T20 league and I am very happy to be a part of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and looking forward to giving my best for the team.” Hasaranga said, “I am very excited to be a part of Desert Vipers for the upcoming ILT20.”

Indian cricket legend Harbhajan Singh also a part of the ILT20 event said, “It is a big step for UAE cricket to have its own league. The country has hosted three IPLs and knows how to organize a league.” Big congratulations to UAE Cricket and ILT20.” It’s going to be great because all the top players are going to participate.”

By organizing IPL and T20 World Cup in the peak of Corona, UAE has proved that there is no compromise regarding safety and health in this country. Since all the stadiums in UAE are at a distance of just 2-3 hours, there is no question of fatigue during the travel and hotels of the players and the focus remains on the security arrangements. As far as the players’ safety is concerned, Dubai has become a second home for international players and often players are seen shopping in malls without being disturbed by the public.

Elarna S Carvel, GM of All-Gulf Travel and Tourism, explains that from November to March, Dubai is always full of tourists, and cheap ILT 20 tickets have added another activity to our inventory. Tourists coming from India and Europe are demanding that we include one or two matches in their tour packages so that they can enjoy UAE’s cricket infrastructure and watch international players live. At Dubai Airport, we are welcoming around 2.5 lakh tourists daily since 28th December and expect this number to exceed 2 million weekly in the first week and third week of January. Tournament Format: Each will play the other teams twice in the round-robin stage, making it 30 league matches. This will be followed by four playoffs and both the opening match and the final will be held at the Dubai International Stadium. Dubai will host 16 games, followed by Abu Dhabi with 10 while Sharjah will host 8 matches. ILT20 cricket tournament UAE ILT20 cricket tournament UAE ILT20 cricket tournament UAE ILT20 cricket tournament UAE ILT20 cricket tournament UAE ILT20 cricket tournament UAE