The third season of the ILT20 has concluded successfully, with the Dubai Capitals emerging victorious after defeating the Desert Vipers by four wickets in the final held at the Dubai International Stadium. This season has demonstrated significant progress for the league. Nevertheless, the overlap between ILT20 and SA20 has posed a considerable challenge, resulting in players frequently entering and exiting the tournament.

David White, the CEO of ILT20, believes that such clashes are unavoidable due to the geographical constraints of cricket, which do not permit every T20 league to operate within its distinct timeframe. It is important to note that at the commencement of ILT20's third season, three other leagues—namely the Big Bash, SA20, and the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL)—were concurrently taking place across various regions.

"What is particularly intriguing about league cricket is that, when considering global cricket, only England and a small portion of the West Indies are situated in the northern hemisphere. The remainder of international cricket and leagues occurs in the southern hemisphere, necessitating that these countries compete simultaneously."

He further elaborated, "During this period, New Zealand, Australia, Bangladesh, and South Africa are all engaged in play. This is a reality dictated by the geography of cricket, and for the UAE, we schedule our matches in the winter due to the extreme heat of summer. This aligns with the southern hemisphere's playing window. I believe many overlook the geographical aspects of cricket, as numerous southern hemisphere teams are competing concurrently, leading to inevitable overlaps."

'Will look to have more players from UAE in playing XI of all teams'

The third edition of ILT20 highlighted the emergence of several UAE players who made significant contributions to their respective franchises. At present, only two UAE players are included in the playing XI across all teams, with the remaining nine positions occupied by international players from various nations. Nevertheless, White expresses optimism that the league's management will strive to incorporate a greater number of UAE players in the playing XI in the future.

"Indeed, that is an excellent point. We hope that in the coming years, there will be an increasing presence of UAE players and associate players, and this is something we will be actively considering for the upcoming season. However, I must emphasize that we have been very pleased with the performances of the UAE players, who are truly advocating for this change," he stated.

'Nine overseas players make ILT20 very strong'

The head of ILT20 emphasizes that the inclusion of nine international players in the playing XI across all teams contributes to the robustness of the competition, ensuring a high standard of matches.

"What distinguishes us is the ability to field nine overseas players, which significantly enhances the quality of the league. While we have talented UAE players and associate players, the league's unique aspect lies in its location in the UAE during an ideal time of year. The weather is pleasant, and we have three world-class stadiums. Players appreciate the safety and convenience of not having to travel extensively between venues," he stated.

"They can travel by bus, which adds to their enjoyment. This league provides them with the chance to compete in excellent stadiums while also allowing them to bring their families and experience the best that the UAE has to offer. Therefore, I believe this league is quite exceptional, and we are fortunate to attract such outstanding world-class talent."

Read Also: Pace Paradox: Why 132 kph Feels Different for Bhuvneshwar and Shami

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!