In the fiercely crowded calendar of franchise cricket, the UAE's International League T20 (ILT20) has not only survived but is now firmly establishing itself as a major player. Squeezed between giants like South Africa's SA20, Australia's Big Bash League (BBL), and the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the league has carved its own niche and is witnessing significant growth, both in quality and viewership.
Captains Unite Under Desert Lights as League Kicks Off
The stage was set for the new season at the Dubai International Stadium, where the ILT20 trophy took centre stage at a captains' press conference. It was a meeting of cricketing eras. On one side sat seasoned campaigners like MI Emirates' Kieron Pollard, Sharjah Warriors' Tim Southee, and MI Emirates' stand-in skipper Moeen Ali. Facing them were the likes of Dubai Capitals' acting captain Gulbadin Naib, Desert Vipers' Lockie Ferguson, and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders' Jason Holder. The glittering trophy served as a reminder of the intense battle awaiting the six franchises in the coming weeks.
When asked to rank the ILT20 among other global tournaments, the legendary Kieron Pollard, a true T20 pioneer, chose diplomacy. "It's a tough question," Pollard told TimesofIndia.com. "I don't want to rank it... This tournament will have a lot more international players because of where it is situated." He emphasized the high level of competition, fueled by the presence of top global talent during this busy season, but refrained from putting a number on its standing.
From Financial Struggle to Profitable Entertainment
The league's CEO, former New Zealand cricketer David White, highlighted the tournament's upward trajectory. "The quality of cricket is going to be really high with nine overseas players per team," he stated. He also revealed a strategic expansion in player base, incorporating talent from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, envisioning the ILT20 as a true Gulf region league, not just a UAE-centric one.
This growth is translating into tangible success. Laxmi Shetty, Head of Advertisement Revenue at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, in an exclusive chat, revealed a landmark achievement. "The season has actually grown year on year... It's the second most-viewed league, I would say, globally," she announced. Crucially, after three editions of running at a loss, the tournament has started making a recovery and is now on track to become profitable.
Shetty explained that the addition of three Indian players is expected to significantly boost viewership from the cricket-crazy nation. Beyond pure revenue, she noted the value of broadcasting on free movie channels and Zee5, which attracts a new, wider audience, creating a dual benefit of entertainment and financial gain.
Building a Legacy: Local Talent and Global Diversity
The league's impact on local UAE players is a point of pride for team mentors. Gulf Giants head coach Jonathan Trott believes the presence of world-class internationals and coaches provides an unparalleled learning environment for local cricketers. "For the local players, they have the best opportunity in the world to learn and watch some of the greatest players," Trott said, confident that this exposure will translate into on-field improvement.
Echoing this sentiment, Giants' bowling coach Shane Bond called the ILT20 "unique" for its blend of overseas stars and local talent. "It's the responsibility of the cricket communities to bring a whole lot of different countries up, and this is a league that's definitely helping those UAE players," Bond remarked. He added that coaching such a diverse group is both challenging and invigorating.
This season, the league has taken a significant step towards broader development by inviting seven emerging net bowlers from African associate nations—Botswana, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania. This initiative offers these young talents from non-traditional cricketing countries rare access to elite training environments alongside international stars.
The tournament commenced on UAE National Day with a high-octane rematch of last season's final between the Dubai Capitals and the Desert Vipers. With its unique position, financial turnaround, and commitment to developing Gulf and associate cricket, the ILT20 is steadily building its legacy under the desert sky.
