The United Arab Emirates is now all set to host their very own T20 franchise tournament, International League T20 (ILT20). The inaugural edition of the ILT20 is set to get underway on January 13, Friday. Six teams, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, Desert Vipers, MI Emirates, and Sharjah Warriors will feature in the ILT20 tournament’s first edition.
In the opening fixture of the competition, Dubai Capitals will be up against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Dubai International Stadium. Overall, 34 matches are slated to take place across three different venues in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. The final match of the tournament will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 12.
ILT20 cannot attain List A T20 status
The franchise league tournament is expected to bring a revolution in UAE cricket but the latest developments might put some dent in the organizers’ plans. According to the Cricket Council body’s regulations, any T20 tournament organized/hosted by non-Full Members nations cannot attain List A T20 status.
So, if a batter smashes six sixes in an over or plays exceptional innings, or a bowler bags a fifer or takes a hat-trick, or a player attains a big feat as a fielder, their achievements would be listed in the ‘miscellaneous’ or ‘other T20’ columns of statisticians’ databases.
“T20 competitions hosted by non-Full Members cannot be attributed List A T20 status, and the global governing body recently confirmed to statisticians that no special exemption will be made for the big-money tournament in the UAE, which is set to have its inaugural run later this month,” the report said.
With ten matches scheduled in Abu Dhabi, sixteen in Dubai, and eight in Sharjah, the competition will set the UAE-cricketing stage on fire with stars such as Shimron Hetmyer, Moeen Ali, Kieron Pollard, and Wanindu Hasaranga, as well as a number of UAE’s elite playing in a total 34 matches, boasting five-weekend-day double-headers, and where the six franchises will play each other twice before the playoffs, culminating in the thrilling final in Dubai on February 12 (2023).
