ILT20 Returns: New Captains, Indian Players, and Gulf Cricket Focus
The ILT20 tournament is set to begin with a thrilling matchup between Dubai Capitals and Desert Vipers on December 2. The match will kick off at 6:30 PM local time, with additional afternoon fixtures on double-header days starting from 2:00 PM. Last season, the Capitals achieved a remarkable victory against the Vipers, successfully chasing a target of 190 runs.
ILT20 Schedule and Format
This year’s tournament runs from December 2 to January 4, strategically avoiding overlap with other major leagues such as Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) and South Africa’s SA20. The BBL commences on December 14, while the SA20 starts on December 26. To allow players to participate fully, ILT20 adjusted its schedule to begin earlier than in previous years.
The tournament will feature a total of 34 matches: 30 league games followed by knockout rounds. Key dates include:
- Qualifier 1: December 30 in Abu Dhabi
- Eliminator: January 1 in Dubai
- Qualifier 2: January 2 in Sharjah
- Final: January 4
Captains for the 2023 Season
This season sees significant changes in leadership across various teams. Notable captaincy changes include:
- Kieron Pollard taking over MIE from Nicholas Pooran
- Dasun Shanaka stepping in as the new captain of Dubai Capitals
- Jason Holder leading Knight Riders, replacing Sunil Narine
- Lockie Ferguson retains his role as captain of Desert Vipers
- James Vince continues as captain of Gulf Giants
- Tim Southee remains the captain of Warriorz
Key Players to Watch
The recent player auction in October has created an exciting lineup for teams. Highlights from the auction include:
- Andre Fletcher was secured by MIE for a record USD 260,000.
- Muhammad Waseem, a prolific six-hitter, has been retained by Emirates.
- Junaid Siddique found a home with Warriorz, following strong performances in the Asia Cup.
- Matheesha Pathirana, who was released by CSK, joins Warriorz as a replacement player.
- Jordan Cox will play for Capitals after an impressive season in The Hundred.
- Dinesh Karthik leads the Indian representation on Sharjah Warriorz.
- Unmukt Chand will feature for Knight Riders.
International Player Participation
The ILT20 has expanded its reach by forming partnerships with cricket associations in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Each association contributed six young players for the tournament, enhancing the development initiatives in the region.
Notably, despite interest in players like Fakhar Zaman and Naseem Shah, their participation was initially uncertain. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board later granted them the necessary clearances.
Conclusion
The ILT20 is poised to offer thrilling cricket action while showcasing emerging talent from the Gulf region. Fans can expect an eventful season filled with competitive spirit and exciting performances.
