UAE T20 League christened ILT20, to be held in January-February 2023

The six-team league, promoted and operated by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), will be called the International League T20 (ILT20), the board has announced. The franchise-style league will be played over a 34-match schedule in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah from January 6 to February 12 in 2023, adding to an already jam-packed cricket calendar during the time. The ILT20 can potentially clash with the league which the Cricket South Africa is planning to launch early next year and in that context, the CSA has already requested the Cricket Australia (CA) to defer three ODIs between the sides on January 12, 14 and 17. The 2022-23 Big Bash League, the schedule of which is yet to be announced, will likely overlap too, and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will kick-start two days after the conclusion of ILT20. The six franchises in ILT20 is owned by Shah Rukh Khan of the Knight Riders Group, Mukesh Ambani of RIL, Gautam Adani of the Adani Group, the Glazer family of Manchester United, Kiran Kumar Granthi of Delhi Capitals and Rajesh Sharma of Capri Global. "Such illustrious, experienced names and entities as partners bodes well for the UAE T20 League. Through the commitment of these partners they have demonstrated confidence in the Emirates Cricket Board as we take the game into the future," said Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan. "As we begin this long journey I am confident that together we will achieve new heights and in the process provide entertainment and excitement to the millions of fans around the globe who are waiting for the first ball of the UAE T20 League to be bowled." Cricbuzz recently reported that the three IPL franchises in them - MI, KKR and DC, will have the first right to sign players; meaning they can sign up to four players each from their existing IPL rosters. All teams will be allowed a player fee of USD 2 million, the purse being second-best among the franchise-based leagues after the IPL. The 10-year media rights for ILT20 was bought for a staggering USD 120 million by Essel Group-owned Zee Network.