The first edition of the International League T20 is assured to raise the roof of the Dubai International Stadium (Dubai, UAE) through a blockbuster opening match between GMR’s Dubai Capitals and Knight Rider Group’s Abu Dhabi Knight Riders as the League gets underway on January 13, 2023.
The much-anticipated schedule sees the competition played from January 13 through to the final on February 12, said a press release issued by the organisers.
Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium’s first game is on Saturday 14 January, a mouth-watering clash between Reliance Group’s MI Emirates and Capri Global’s Sharjah Warriors. The same two teams participate in the opening fixture at the famed Sharjah Cricket Stadium on January 17.
Speaking about the ILT20 schedule, Mubashshir Usmani, General Secretary, Emirates Cricket Board said, “This is a very exciting time for the league and, collectively, we are delighted to announce the 2023 ILT20 playing schedule. To have superstars such as Dubai Capital’s Dasun Shanaka and Abu Dhabi Knight Rider’s Andre Russell open their teams’ accounts is very exciting. We cannot wait for the teams to arrive (in early January) and battle it out on the park and provide world-class entertainment to the cricket fans here, in the UAE, and around the globe.”
“It is very important for us to launch the first season in an emphatic style, and the league management is very excited to have engaged with globally recognised artists in Badshah and Jason Derulo, both of whom will undoubtedly energise the teams, and the fans leading into the opening match. We are confident that the ILT20 will be a huge success.”
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.
International League T20 full match schedule
The ILT20’s full match schedule is available online at www.ilt20.ae.
Teams in International League T20
Franchise teams, comprising 84 International and 24 UAE-based players, include Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Kolkata Knight Riders), Desert Vipers (Lancer Capital), Dubai Capitals (GMR), Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline), MI Emirates (Reliance Industries), and Sharjah Warriors (Capri Global).
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Kolkata Knight Riders)
The Knight Riders Group, led by Shah Rukh Khan, along with Juhi Chawla and her business partner husband Jay Mehta, have secured the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ franchise in the ILT20. The move sees the Knight Riders Group further spread their tentacles into franchise cricket as they expand the Knight Riders brand globally.
Desert Vipers (Lancer Capital)
In its first-ever foray into international cricket, Lancer Capital LLC, chaired by Avram Glazer, makes its historic debut into the sport by securing ILT20’s Desert Vipers team. Lancer Capital has investments in a variety of best-in-class assets, where this partnership bolsters their vision of a long term investment strategy into the world of sports.
Dubai Capitals (GMR)
Indian-based infrastructure powerhouse, GMR Group, headed by Kiran Grandhi, signed ILT20’s first franchise, stamping both the League and Dubai Capitals’ intent on creating a dynamic and highly engaging addition to the international T20-cricket calendar. Dubai Capitals will integrate their group strategy to support sports from grass-roots through to international level while being effective in engaging with the community as well as the global cricket ecosystem.
Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline)
In a landmark, exciting move, Adani Group’s ‘Adani Sportsline’ – the sports-arm of the diversified Adani Group, overseen by Chairman and Founder Gautam Adani – have made their foray into international franchise cricket by joining forces with, and acquiring ILT20 team, the Gulf Giants. This will be the first major move overseas by Adani Sportsline where they aim to connect and engage with global fans from across the cricketing nations, while fostering global competitive opportunities for future champions.
MI Emirates (Reliance Industries Limited)
Mukesh D. Ambani led Reliance Industries Limited, (RIL) through its subsidiary Reliance Strategic Business Ventures, makes their first major overseas expansion by securing and launching MI Emirates. ILT20 will greatly benefit from the RIL’s commercial and cricket know-how, promising a new and exciting brand of cricket bolstered by the best learnings, experiences, and entertainment.
Sharjah Warriors (Capri Global)
Capri Global, one of India’s leading investment banking firms, diversifies its interests with a historic foray into franchise cricket by acquiring ILT20’s Sharjah Warriors. With Rajesh Sharma, Managing Director and Founder at the helm, the signing marks a long-term entry into sports-franchising will allow Capri Global to leverage on the passion that both the Indian, and world-wide, audience has for cricket.
Fahad is an entrepreneur and a marketing enthusiast who loves to write on trending topics. He loves travelling & playing tennis is what he does in his leisure time. He tweets @fahad164.
Email:- fahad164@gmail.com , fahad@themediaparadigm.com
