UAE's ILT20 organizers working with other boards over dates, player availability

The inaugural edition of the UAE T20 league is set to launch in January next year, potentially clashing with other major domestic T20 leagues, including the recently announced CSA T20 league. According to reports organizers of the UAE’s ILT20 are looking to sort things out with other domestic competitions to avoid a potential scheduling clash.

The ILT20 is said to commence in January 2023 with an allocated window from January 6 to February 12 for the inaugural edition of the competition. However, the six-team competition is likely to coincide with the inaugural edition of the league in South Africa, the BBL in Australia, and the BPL in Bangladesh and risks losing players to other competitions.

Mubashshir Usmani, the general secretary of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has revealed that the board is working with other domestic leagues to sort out this issue.

“While the window suits our purpose, we are closely working with different boards toward minimizing date clashes. Our team has been working alongside players, players’ agents, and various boards to seek and secure the necessary approvals for those identified to participate in the league’s inaugural edition” Mubashshir Usmani was quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.

We do want Australian as well as any other available players to be involved with the league: Mubashshir Usmani

The advent of the UAE-based league has caused a stir in all the other renowned competitive leagues, especially in Australia, because of the lucrative wages for the players. Cricket Australia (CA) has started negotiations with their top T20 stars to secure their services for the upcoming BBL addition amidst fears of the Aussie players opting for the newly incepted cash-rich league. David Warner, who was initially set to depart for the ILT20, is set to receive a new bumper deal to appear in the BPL, for the first time since 2014.

“We are working with Cricket Australia, in fact, we are in touch with all the relevant cricket boards, to minimize any major clashes. We do want Australian as well as any other available players to be involved with the league,” Usmani added.