UAE all set to embrace ILT20 a la IPL

Article posted by Coliseum, June 7^th, 2022

Image: ICC Cricket

The Emirates Cricket Board confirmed on June 6^th that the inaugural ILT20 League will be played between the windows of January 6^th to February 12^th in 2023.

The ‘msn.com’ stated that the new League will be called ‘International League T20’ or ‘ILT20’.

The United Arab Emirates Cricket Board is the governing body of certain cricket activities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is United Arab Emirates representative at the International Cricket Council (ICC) and is an Associate Member and has been a Member of that body since 1990. It is also a Member of the Asian Cricket Council.

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Dubai (UAE)-based the International Cricket Council (ICC) is the world governing body of cricket. It was founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from Australia, England and South Africa. It was renamed as the International Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in 1987.

The Asian Cricket Council is a cricket organization which was established in 1983 to promote and develop the sport of cricket in Asia. Subordinate to the International Cricket Council, the Council is the continent’s regional administrative body, and currently consists of 24 member-associations.

The ‘msn.com’ further stated that India’s Reliance Industries, Kolkata Knight Riders, Capri Global, GMR, Lancer Capital, and Adani Sportsline have bought franchises in the new league.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mabarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, said the new league will help the sport flourish in the country – “The 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 bode 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.”

Added Al Nahyan, “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 the 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.”

The six-team franchise-style league will be played over a 34-match schedule at the world-class venues of UAE.

The tournament will also provide a valuable platform for Emirates Cricket to develop 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 players.

Said Khalid Al Zarooni, Chairman, ILT20, “Emirates Cricket and the UAE have a proven history of identifying and embracing initiatives that underpin the success of the game. It is vitally important that through this tournament the UAE-based players continue to flourish which is one of the objectives of this League. 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.”

Stated Dr. Tayeb Kamali, Chairman, Selection Committee – Emirates Cricket Board, “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 provides a wonderful opportunity to 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.”

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