Historic Cricket Partnership Launched in Kuwait
In a landmark event for Middle Eastern cricket, the International League T20 (ILT20) and Kuwait Cricket Board officially celebrated their strategic partnership with a grand ceremony in Kuwait City on Monday. The occasion gained star power with the presence of cricket legends Harbhajan Singh and Waqar Younis, who joined management representatives from both cricket boards along with the Emirates Cricket Board.
Star-Studded Celebrations and Player Breakthroughs
The celebratory event featured a cricket discussion hosted by former New Zealand bowler Simon Doull with the two legendary cricketers, focusing on the sport's expanding footprint across the region. The partnership has already yielded significant results, with six Kuwait-based cricketers securing contracts during the ILT20 Season 4 Player Auction held in October.
The successful players include: Mohamed Aslam (Sharjah Warriors), Mohamed Shafeeq (MI Emirates), Bilal Tahir (Desert Vipers), Meet Bhavsar (Gulf Giants), Adnan Idrees (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders) and Anudeep Chenthamara (Dubai Capitals).
Leadership Hails Monumental Step for Regional Cricket
Kuwait Cricket president Haider Farman expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating it represented a "monumental step forward for cricket's growth in our region." He particularly highlighted the significance of having six local players auctioned for Season 4 and appreciated the presence of cricket legends and a special performance by Ali Zafar that made the evening unforgettable.
Sajid Ashraf, ILT20 board advisor, described the event as "nothing short of historic for Kuwait Cricket and the Gulf region." He emphasized that the inclusion of six Kuwait-based players establishes a new benchmark for Gulf cricket and signals the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the sport in the area.
Cricket Legends Optimistic About Regional Development
Harbhajan Singh, who has been involved with ILT20 since its inception, praised the partnership for creating opportunities for Kuwaiti players to progress. "This partnership gives players from Kuwait a chance to live their dream and to play alongside legends," he remarked, encouraging the selected players to grab this massive platform opportunity.
Waqar Younis shared his excitement about the ILT20 tournament's growing quality each season and the platform it provides for young talent. He expressed pleasure at being in Kuwait to celebrate the partnership while looking forward to the competitive tournament that brings together some of the world's best players.
Tangible Results and Future Prospects
David White, ILT20 CEO, confirmed that the collaboration has already produced concrete outcomes since the agreement was signed in May. He cited the successful first edition of the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament in Kuwait and the induction of six Kuwaiti players into Season 4 squads as evidence of the partnership's immediate impact.
The International League T20 Season 4 is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, December 2 - coinciding with UAE National Day (Eid-Al-Etihad). The tournament will feature six teams competing across 34 matches, culminating in the final on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
