Naseem Shah Jay Shah. Image Credits: X/AFP
The ILT20 is gearing up for another exciting season, with organisers confirming a fresh window for the much-awaited tournament. The upcoming season will feature six teams competing in 34 matches, including 30 league-stage games and four playoff fixtures.
Matches will be held across the UAE's three major cricket venues, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. The final will take place at the Dubai International Stadium.
After experimenting with a December-January window in the previous season, organisers have now moved the tournament slightly earlier. The change is designed to create better availability of international players and maximise viewership.
It is vital to mention that earlier, the November-December window was kept for International Cricket, but now, with players more interested in playing franchise leagues, this window has also been used for ILT20.
Why has ILT20 Season 5 been shifted to winter window?
The decision to move the league to a November-December window is largely strategic. One of the primary reasons is to avoid a direct clash with the SA20 league, which typically begins in January.
By scheduling ILT20 earlier, organisers aim to ensure that players are not forced to choose between leagues. Player availability for International Cricket has become a challenge for many teams. Legends like Trent Boult, Heinrich Klaasen, Nicholas Pooran have already given up international cricket, in the ambition of earning more through leagues.
ILT20 announces dates for Season 5
If this becomes a precedence, the entire ICC Future Tours Program (FTP) can hang in limbo and securing players for international cricket while maintaining their fitness could become a challenge for Jay Shah-led ICC.
Hence, the ICC might want to now step in and sort the entire web of global cricket leagues by limiting top tier countries to function their leagues. Although ICC doesn't have a control over franchise league tournaments in the current setup, they might want to pursue international cricket boards to increase ICC's stake in these leagues for regulation and compliance.
It is important to mention that the fifth season of the UAE's ILT20 league will begin on November 22 this year and run till December 20.
ILT20 CEO David White expressed satisfaction with the league's growth, highlighting the success of the previous season.
He noted that strong broadcast numbers, increased spectator interest, and the presence of world-class players have significantly increased the league's profile. The new window is expected to build on that momentum.
"We are delighted with Season 4's success," David White, the ILT20 chief executive said in a statement on Monday. "The broadcast numbers, spectators' interest and participation of the biggest T20 stars made the tournament a massive success as the quality of the league grew further.
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"The DP World ILT20 continues to make massive strides and our strategic partnerships with Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation and Kuwait Cricket are already making a big impact. This year, these partnerships will be consolidated further through our development tournaments, which will be played in both countries prior to Season 5."
Who was the winner of ILT20 season 4?
In season 4, the Desert Vipers clinched their maiden title in front of a packed stadium. In the final, the Desert Vipers defeated MI Emirates by 46 runs in the Dubai International Stadium. Sam Curran emerged as the Player of the Tournament.
The league has consistently attracted a star-studded lineup, featuring some of the biggest names in T20 cricket. Players such as Andre Russell, Moeen Ali, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, and Jason Roy have featured in previous editions.
The teams participating in the league are Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, and Sharjah Warriorz. It is worth noting that the entire schedule of the ILT20 is yet to be released.
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