International T20 League in the UAE: All you need to know
The cricketing extravaganza returns to the UAE big time! In January 2023, the biggest stars of the sport will land on these shores — performing their magic at the inaugural International T20 League (ILT20). Let’s take a look at how the event is shaping up.
UAE INTERNATIONAL T20 LEAGUE
From iconic tournaments in Sharjah to the recent influx of T20 leagues, top-tier cricket has always been part of the UAE’s sporting calendar.
The country has already hosted the Indian Premier League, the Pakistan Super League and the Master’s Champions League in the past. Similarly, the Abu Dhabi T10 League is a highly successful annual event.
From 2023, fans of cricket will have another new tournament to follow. The first match of the International T20 League will be played on the 13th of January and the final will take place on the 12th of February. There will be a total of 34 matches, with each team playing twice against each other and four play-off matches. The chief purpose of the tournament is to give the local talent a platform to excel. The Emirates Cricket Board is keen to develop young and budding cricketers so they can win laurels for the country.
INTERNATIONAL T20 LEAGUE TEAMS
International T20 League will have six teams battling it out for glory. Each team will have 18 players including 4 UAE players and 2 from Associate nations.
Here’s a look at the individual squads.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Knight Riders Group)
Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Jonny Bairstow, Paul Stirling, Lahiru Kumara, Charith Asalanka, Colin Ingram, Akeal Hosein, Seekkuge Prasanna, Ravi Rampaul, Raymond Reifer, Kennar Lewis, Ali Khan, Brandon Glover
Desert Vipers (Lancer Capital)
Alex Hales, Ben Duckett, Benny Howell, Colin Munro, Ruben Trumpelmann, Sam Billings, Sandeep Lamichhane, Saqib Mahmood, Sheldon Cottrell, Sherfane Rutherford, Tom Curran, Wanindu Hasaranga
Dubai Capitals (GMR Group)
Rovman Powell, Dushmantha Chameera, Hazratullah Zazai, Fabian Allen, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Sikandar Raza, Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dan Lawrence, Blessing Muzarabani, Isuru Udana, George Munsey, Fred Klaassen
Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline)
Shimron Hetmyer, Chris Jordan, Chris Lynn, Tom Banton, Dominic Drakes, David Wiese, Jamie Overton, Richard Gleeson, Rehan Ahmed, Wayne Madsen, Liam Dawson, James Vince, Qais Ahmad, Ollie Pope
MI Emirates (Reliance Strategic Business Ventures Limited)
Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Nicholas Pooran, Trent Boult, Andre Fletcher, Imran Tahir, Samit Patel, Will Smeed, Jordan Thompson, Najibullah Zadran, Zahir Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqui, Brad Wheal, Bas de Leede
Sharjah Warriors (Capri Global Capital Limited)
Evin Lewis, Dawid Malan, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Chris Benjamin, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Moeen Ali, Mohammad Nabi, Chris Woakes, JJ Smit, Mark Deyal, Noor Ahmad, Danny Briggs, Naveen-ul-Haq, Bilal Khan
INTERNATIONAL T20 LEAGUE 2023 SCHEDULE
Here’s a look at the International T20 League 2023 schedule.
INTERNATIONAL T20 LEAGUE 2023 TICKETS
International T20 League 2023 tickets for general will cost AED 30 for adults and AED 10 for children. Tickets for hospitality lounge will cost AED 185 for adults and AED 92 for children. To buy tickets visit the official website.
WHAT ARE THEY SAYING?
Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan expressed delight at the league’s successful launch.
“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 entities 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”.
“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,” he added.
Khalid Al Zarooni, Chairman, ILT20 stated that one of the key objectives of the league was to help UAE-based players excel.
“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 objectives 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,” he added further.
FAQS ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL T20 LEAGUE UAE
WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL T20 LEAGUE?
Do you enjoy opening ceremonies before the cricket begins? If so, you have plenty of reason to look forward to the ILT20 as RnB Megastar, Jason Derulo will belong alongside Indian rapper Badshah.
WHERE TO THE INTERNATIONAL T20 LEAGUE UAE?
The tournament will be live on ZEE’s linear channels and digital platforms; Zee5, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Cinema SD, Flix SD & Flix HD, Zee Zest SD, Zee Anmol Cinema, & Pictures HD, Zee Zest HD, Zee Thirai and Zee Bangla Cinema.
WHERE CAN I PLAY CRICKET IN DUBAI DURING THE SUMMER?
During the summer, outdoor sports can be a bit of a challenge unless you are a professional. However, if you still want to practice, head to these places offering indoor cricket in Dubai. You can have a hit without having to bear the heat!
With just over a month remaining, the excitement levels are hitting a new high. Given the names involved and the cricketing facilities available in the UAE, this league can become one of the premier T20 franchise tournaments in the world. You can also look forward to the upcoming events in Abu Dhabi.
