The much-hyped T20 League from the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has finally found a start date. Named International League T20 or ILT20, the-ECB-owned competition will be played from January 6 to February 12, 2023.
The six-team league will be played across various venues in the UAE, in a schedule that will witness 34-games in total. The six franchises will see the likes of Reliance Industries, Kolkata Knight Riders, Capri Global, GMR, Lancer Capital, and Adani Sportsline have a stake in the League.
In a news18 report, speaking about the ILT20, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, said, "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."
"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," he further added.
The League will open a number of avenues for the ECB to give exposure to local players, who will have a chance to mix with international greats.
Chairman ILT20 Khalid Al Zarooni said, "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," Khalid Al Zarooni added.