The third season of the ILT20 will kick off on January 11 with defending champions MI Emirates taking on the Dubai Capitals in Dubai. The league in just two previous seasons has been able to grab a lot of limelight.
It has also passed ICC's accreditation and has a separate window allotted to them as well just like the IPL, BBL, CPL and PSL. The league is being organised by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) with matches scheduled across Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
The six teams playing in the league are MI Emirates, Dubai Capitals, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Gulf Giants, and Sharjah Warriors. Several top-class international cricketers are part of the league.
Meanwhile, the league has been hit by some critical comments from former South African skipper Graeme Smith. Smith who is himself the commissioner of SA20, recently said that the league is not good for the game as it is not giving anything back to cricket. He further claimed the scenario as a challenge that needs to be curved going forward.
"We've been built up against IL T20, so it's very difficult for me to not come across like I'm bad-mouthing them, but I do feel like a league like that is not good for the game; that there's that many international players required to build a team; there's no investment back into local cricket. That is a challenge for the world game and something that needs to be managed going forward," the former South Africa skipper, one of the legends of the game, remarked.
In response to Smith's comments, White said that the league is the only one that offers a platform for the associate nations. Previously the IPL opened themselves upto players from associate nations. Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi are prime examples who have achieved success playing the IPL.
"Oh, Mr. Smith, it's not our policy to speak about other leagues," White, the CEO of the IL T20, told Cricbuzz on Friday (January 10). "We are the only league in the world that provides a platform for the associate countries to participate at this level. We've got players from Nepal, Malaysia, USA, Scotland, Netherlands, Namibia and Italy" White said on the eve of the third edition of the league which kicks off at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday.
ILT20 CEO Praises UAE As A Venue For Domestic T20 Leagues
He also pointed out how the UAE has consistently supported international cricket during crises, hosting major events like the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021,and the IPL during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"At the drop of a hat, whether it's the Bangladesh riots, the Champions Trophy, the IPL, or Covid... they come to the UAE. It's a turnkey solution. Beautiful stadiums, beautiful facilities, great training facilities, and of course, the UAE is very happy to host that. The contribution that the UAE makes to the global game is massive," he said.
The ILT20 CEO concluded by detailing the revenue generated from the league including investment in grassroots and community cricket. He revealed that 300 players participated in a development tournament, with 25 earning spots across the teams.
