Season 5 of the UAE’s ILT20 will now run from 22 November to 20 December, a touch earlier than last year’s December-January window. Thirty-four matches remain on the card – 30 in the league phase, plus the usual four play-offs – and once again Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah provide the stage. The final, no surprise, stays in Dubai.
League bosses pulled the dates forward to keep clear of a crowded new-year schedule. SA20, for instance, is pencilled in for after 10 January, and several other franchise tournaments jostle for airtime at that point. A shorter overlap should, on paper, free up player availability and broadcast space.
Chief executive David White sounded upbeat when the dates were confirmed on Monday. “We are delighted with Season 4’s success,” he said. “The broadcast numbers, spectators’ interest and participation of the biggest T20 stars made the tournament a massive success as the quality of the league grew further.” He added that ILT20’s reach is widening: “The DP World ILT20 continues to make massive strides and our strategic partnerships with Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation and Kuwait Cricket are already making a big impact. This year, these partnerships will be consolidated further through our development tournaments, which will be played in both countries prior to Season 5.”
As with last year, team rosters will be settled through an auction. The six sides – defending champions Desert Vipers, plus Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, Dubai Capitals, Sharjah Warriorz and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – can expect that event in the coming months. “We are already gearing up for this year’s auction,” White confirmed.
The Vipers, Giants, MI Emirates and Capitals have all lifted the trophy at least once. Sharjah Warriorz and the Knight Riders, meanwhile, are still searching for a maiden title; an earlier tournament window might just shuffle the pack.
