ILT20 games in future seasons could be held in Saudi Arabia
Key Takeaways
- The UAE's ILT20 cricket league has partnered with the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF).
- The partnership allows for the potential hosting of ILT20 matches in Saudi Arabia in future seasons.
- Saudi players are guaranteed entry into the tournament, with franchises required to sign at least one player from the country starting this year.
- The agreement includes collaboration on talent identification and grassroots development, with a tournament planned in Saudi Arabia next year.
- The ILT20's fourth season will begin on December 2 in the UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah).
The UAE's ILT20 cricket league has entered into a significant partnership with the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF), marking an expansion across the Gulf region that could see future games played in Saudi Arabia. The SACF has officially sanctioned the ILT20 as a men's and women's competition, although no specific dates for Saudi matches have been set yet. A key component of the deal is providing Saudi players a direct pathway into the tournament, requiring every franchise to sign at least one Saudi player in the upcoming October 1 auction. ILT20 chairman Khalid Al Zarooni highlighted the shared vision of growing cricket beyond borders, while SACF chairman HRH Prince Saud Bin Mishal Al-Saud noted the alignment with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 emphasis on sports development. Furthermore, the collaboration includes talent identification and grassroots development, with a development tournament scheduled in Saudi Arabia next year, preceding the ILT20's fourth season starting December 2 in the UAE.
