ILT20: Format, History and Key Facts of the UAE's International League T20

The International League T20, usually shortened to ILT20, is a franchise Twenty20 competition played in the United Arab Emirates. It was launched in January 2023 and is held in the winter months, when the weather in the Gulf suits outdoor cricket. It is organised by the Emirates Cricket Board and has six teams, several of them linked to owners of Indian Premier League franchises.

How it began

The UAE has hosted a large amount of international cricket for decades, including IPL seasons played there in 2014, 2020 and 2021, and it is home to a large population of players and fans from South Asia. The ILT20 was created to use that cricketing infrastructure for a regular franchise league. The first season was played from January to February 2023, at the same time as the SA20 in South Africa. Desert Vipers won the first title, and MI Emirates won the second season in 2024.

Teams

The six franchises are Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriorz. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai Capitals and MI Emirates have owners linked to Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians respectively, which gives the league a close relationship with the IPL. Each side is based in the Emirates, with a squad assembled through a draft or auction process that brings together players from many countries.

Format and venues

Matches are Twenty20 games with twenty overs per side. The teams play each other in a league stage, and the leading teams go on to a knockout stage that leads to the final. Games are held at the main UAE grounds, including Dubai International Stadium, Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Cricket Stadium. These are well known for hosting international matches and for their floodlit evening cricket.

Players and importance

Squads combine international stars with players from the UAE and from associate nations, and the league provides a rare high-level stage for local players. The ILT20 is part of the wider growth of franchise cricket, which has led to a crowded calendar and debate about how to fit international and domestic fixtures together. For the Emirates, the league also serves as a showcase of the country's cricket facilities and as a link between the global cricket market and a region with many fans of the game.

Because the league draws on the same player pool as other winter franchise tournaments, schedule clashes with leagues in South Africa and Australia have been a recurring topic of discussion. Organisers have responded by choosing dates that suit the UAE climate and by building strong partnerships with the franchises and their owners. The ILT20 has become a regular feature of the winter cricket calendar in the Gulf.