Latest news with #InternationalLeagueT20
Indian Express
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
ILT20 Chief on rescheduling of tournament to December-January: ‘Will provide the teams with the best opportunity to access a bigger pool of players'
When asked about International League T20 (ILT20) and SA T20's schedule overlapping, the Commissioner of the SA20 league, Graeme Smith, was quite vocal about his disapproval of the UAE-based league. In addition to both these, there is also the Big Bash League happening in Australia at the same time, making it difficult for the leagues to have the best access to quality players across the globe. 'We feel that the December-January window will provide the teams with the best opportunity to access a bigger pool of players,' ILT20 chief executive David White said in a statement. Unlike SA20, which follows the Indian Premier League model where a team can fill four overseas players in the playing XI in ILT20, a team can play with nine foreigners in their playing XI. Additionally, SA20 has a limit of 19 players per franchise with a minimum of 11 South Africans. However, in ILT20, two local players are the minimum requirement for a team. Smith speaking at the captain's day press conference in Cape Town said during last season of SA20, 'We see ourselves as very different to the ILT20. We're a South African league, with a majority of South African players and our ultimate goal is to benefit South African players. We've been built up against ILT20, so it's very difficult for me to not come across like I'm bad-mouthing them, but I do feel like a league like that is not good for the game.' 'Following extensive discussions with all our stakeholders, we believe the 2 December 2025 to 4 January 2026 tournament window is ideal for the DP World International League T20 Season 4,' White said 'The ICC Men's T20 World Cup begins in early February, hence it was important for us to start and finish Season 4 well before the tournament, as it will allow the players playing both the DP World ILT20 and the T20 World Cup to prepare for national duty. ILT20 chairman and Emirates Cricket Board vice-chairman Khalid Al Zarooni said, 'The UAE National Day is the day where we celebrate the United Arab Emirates, which is home to people from around the world, including millions of diehard cricket fans. It is a real honour for us to join the nation in the UAE National Day 2025 celebrations with the launch of the region's biggest T20 league – the DP World ILT20 Season 4 – on the same day.'
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
ILT20 moves its schedule for T20 World Cup
The fourth season of International League T20 (ILT20) will be staged one month earlier than previous editions to avoid a clash with the 2026 T20 World Cup. The franchise T20 tournament, held in the United Arab Emirates, will begin on 2 December, the country's National Day. It retains its 34-game format, with six teams competing to reach a final on 4 January. India and Sri Lanka will host the T20 World Cup in February. The ILT20 has previously clashed with a number of other T20 competitions, including Australia's Big Bash League, South Africa's SA20 and the Bangladesh Premier League. The SA20 has also moved for the World Cup, beginning on 26 December as opposed to 9 January in its previous season, while the other tournaments are yet to announce their schedules. Numerous English players competed in the last edition of ILT20, including current internationals Phil Salt, Sam Curran, Tom Banton, Rehan Ahmed and Jordan Cox.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
ILT20 Season 4 to begin on UAE National Day, December 2, 2025
ILT20 Season 3 champions Dubai Capitals Tournament moves to December-January window to accommodate ICC T20 World Cup; Dubai Capitals to defend title The fourth season of the International League T20 (ILT20), one of the fastest-growing franchise T20 competitions globally and the second-most watched T20 league in the world, will commence on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, coinciding with UAE National Day (Eid-Al-Etihad). The season will run until Sunday, January 4, 2026, with 34 high-stakes matches featuring some of the top T20 players from around the world. The decision to shift the tournament from its traditional January-February window comes in the wake of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, scheduled for February-March 2026. The new dates were finalised after detailed consultations with stakeholders to ensure that ILT20 Season 4 is completed well in advance of the global showpiece, allowing players ample preparation time for their international duties. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around in 2025 Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Khalid Al Zarooni, chairman of ILT20 and vice-chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board , highlighted the significance of launching the season on the UAE's most celebrated national holiday: 'We are delighted to confirm that the International League T20 Season 4 will commence on the UAE National Day – Eid-Al-Etihad – which is one of the most important days on the UAE calendar. 'The UAE National Day is a celebration of our diverse and vibrant nation, home to millions of cricket fans. It is a real honour for us to mark this occasion by launching the region's biggest T20 league on the same day.' David White, CEO of ILT20, reiterated the strategic value behind the revised tournament window: 'Following extensive discussions with all our stakeholders, we believe the 2 December 2025 to 4 January 2026 tournament window is ideal. The ICC Men's T20 World Cup begins in early February, hence it was crucial for us to finish ILT20 Season 4 ahead of that event. 'This will allow dual-participating players the time to transition into national commitments. Furthermore, this window ensures we can access a broader player pool, many of whom might have scheduling conflicts during the World Cup build-up.' White also lauded the success of ILT20 Season 3, which delivered blockbuster cricket and massive engagement across platforms: 'Season 3 was a big success with outstanding broadcast and digital numbers. The fans enjoyed a noticeable step-up in the quality of cricket. 'The final, in particular, was a thriller, with Dubai Capitals narrowly edging out Desert Vipers in the last over in front of a packed Dubai International Stadium on 9 February 2025. We are now focused on building on that success and delivering an even better tournament in Season 4.' Want to bring Mumbai's 'Khadoos' cricket mindset to the UAE team: Lalchand Rajput ILT20 has already established itself as a premier destination for international talent. Season 3 featured a galaxy of global T20 stars including Nicholas Pooran, Sam Curran (Player of the Tournament – Red Belt winner), Shai Hope (Green Belt – Most Runs), Fazalhaq Farooqi (White Belt – Most Wickets), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Jason Holder, David Warner, Alex Hales, Shimron Hetmyer, Matthew Wade, Tim Southee, Adil Rashid, and Adam Zampa among others. The league's unique belt system for top performers has also caught the attention of fans, adding an extra layer of competitiveness and recognition to the tournament. With six teams set to battle it out once again over 34 matches, Season 4 promises intense action, star power, and continued growth for a league that has quickly become a fixture in the global T20 landscape. As the countdown begins, cricket fans in the UAE and across the world can expect fireworks both on and off the field when ILT20 returns this December.
Hindustan Times
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
"I knew I had the bowler under pressure": Romario Shepherd on his explosive finish against CSK
Bengaluru [India], : Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Romario Shepherd is known for his explosive and short stays at the crease. On Saturday, he faced just 14 balls and smashed ten of them to the boundary against the Chennai Super Kings . In last year's Indian Premier League , he hit seven boundaries in 10 balls. Earlier this year in the International League T20 , he faced 13 balls and sent 7 of those to the fence. He thrives in innings that last 15 balls or fewer and has a strike rate of over 200 in 20 such knocks. Shepherd is the kind of finisher who can completely change the game in a few deliveries. While there are others with more consistency or adaptability, few can get into a destructive rhythm like him. In the 19th over against RCB, Khaleel Ahmed bowled two deliveries in Shepherd's hitting zone, one too short, one too full and both were punished. "When I hit the first two , I knew I had the bowler under pressure," Shepherd said, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo. "I saw his body language, so I was like, okay, let me try and put you under some more pressure and continue going, continue going," he added. He then tried to vary the pace, which was the right call. But one edge flew over short third man for four, and a well-directed bouncer was still smashed over extra cover for six. Shepherd wasn't overthinking or trying to be clever with field placements or bowler strategies. He was just focused on striking the ball cleanly. "When I walked to the crease, I had an idea of what they were trying to bowl, so I got there prepared for that," Shepherd said, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo. "And then Timmy told me just to hold my shape a bit because it was gripping in the wicket. So my mindset automatically changed to just base up and, you know, watch the ball as it comes and try and hit in my areas and don't try and swing before, swing too early," he added.
BBC News
14-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Curran named Surrey captain for T20 Blast
England all-rounder Sam Curran has been named Surrey's captain for the 2025 T20 Vitality who is succeeding Chris Jordan in the role after three years, was named player of the tournament when England won the T20 World Cup in month, he was named most valuable player at the International League T20 where his side Desert Vipers reached the has scored more than 4,000 runs and taken 250 wickets in T20 across his career, and scored his first T20 century against Hampshire in last season's Blast."I look forward to leading our team and will do everything I can to live up to the standards and expectations that Surrey prides itself on," Curran said."I am very determined to deliver trophies and try to replicate what has been achieved in the County Championship the last few years to make the members and fans proud." Curran made his first-class debut for Surrey in 2015 aged 17. The 26-year-old made his England debut in 2018 and has represented his country more than 120 times, but has largely been out of Brendon McCullum's squad since the 2023 World Cup. Surrey high performance cricket advisor Alec Stewart said it was the "right time" for Curran to take over as captain. "It's a great opportunity for him to put his mark on the team and help to take us that one step further to deliver silverware," he said."Sam has shown his leadership qualities already both at Surrey and in the IPL and he will bring a huge amount to the role." Stewart said that Jordan - who led the team to the past two Finals Days - will remain a "key part of the side on and off the field".
