The much-anticipated fourth season of the International League T20 (ILT20) commenced in spectacular fashion on December 2, 2025, at the Dubai International Stadium. The grand opening ceremony, a vibrant fusion of cricket, music, and pyrotechnics, was perfectly timed to coincide with the UAE's 54th National Day celebrations, creating an electric atmosphere for a packed house.
A Star-Studded Patriotic Opening
The evening's festivities began on a deeply patriotic note as Emirati singer Ahmed Al Hosani delivered a soulful rendition of the UAE National Anthem. This set the perfect mood for a night dedicated to both national pride and sporting excellence. The musical baton was then passed to the headline performer, renowned Pakistani singer Ali Zafar, who enthralled the audience with a medley of his popular hits, further energizing the crowd.
The celebrations reached a visual crescendo with a breathtaking, National Day-themed fireworks display. The skies above the iconic 'Ring of Fire' stadium were set ablaze with colour, illuminating the venue and marking a dazzling start to the tournament.
Cricket Action and Global Broadcast Reach
Following the ceremony, the cricketing action began promptly at 7 pm local time. The opening match of the 34-match tournament saw the defending champions, Dubai Capitals, take on last season's runners-up, the Desert Vipers. The Vipers won the toss and elected to bowl first, setting the stage for an exciting contest.
The ILT20 has secured extensive global broadcasting coverage for Season 4. For Indian viewers, the tournament will be available on the Z Network suite of channels, including &Pictures SD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Action, Zee Thirai SD, Zee Cinemalu, and the Zee5 streaming platform.
Other key broadcasting partners include:
- MENA Region: Cricbuzz on STARZPLAY and Etisalat.
- Afghanistan: Ariana.
- Bangladesh: T Sports.
- Pakistan: PTV Sports and Geo Super (TV); Tamasha, Myco, and Tapmad (Digital).
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports.
- North America: Willow.
- Caribbean: Rush Sports.
- Sri Lanka: Dialog.
- Australia: Fox Sports.
- Africa: SuperSport.
- Southeast Asia: Astro Sports.
Fans in regions not covered by these broadcasters can catch the live action on the ILT20 Official YouTube channel and Sports Central.
How to Be Part of the ILT20 Experience
Cricket enthusiasts looking to witness the high-octane action live from the stadiums can purchase tickets through the official ticketing partner, Virgin Megastore. Tickets are available on their dedicated platform at tickets.ilt20.ae.
The successful and glamorous launch of ILT20 Season 4 promises a month-long festival of world-class T20 cricket. With its blend of international stars, exciting young talent, and a fan-friendly broadcast strategy, the league is poised to captivate cricket lovers across the globe, especially in the cricket-crazy subcontinent.
