ILT20 season 5 officially launched in Dubai with Brett Lee, Shoaib Akhtar among star attractions

The fifth season of the International League T20 (ILT20) was officially launched during an event in Dubai on Thursday. The ceremony featured former international cricketers Brett Lee and Shoaib Akhtar, who participated in a panel discussion regarding the league’s impact on cricket in the United Arab Emirates and the broader region.

Khalid Al Zarooni, Chairman of the ILT20, addressed the growth of the tournament, noting its development into a global competition. He acknowledged the support of stakeholders, franchise owners, and strategic partners, including DP World, Zee Network, Kuwait Cricket, the Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation, the Afghanistan Cricket Board, and Cricket Ireland. The league also announced a new commercial partnership with SPORTFIVE.

A panel discussion moderated by former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull included representatives from the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), Dubai Sports Council, DP World, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises, and other corporate partners. The discussion focused on the future of the sport and the evolving landscape of cricket globally.

Season 5 of the DP World ILT20 is scheduled to take place in November and December at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the Dubai International Stadium, and the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The Desert Vipers enter the season as the defending champions. Previous winners of the tournament include the Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, and the Dubai Capitals.

Article and image source: afghanistansun.com