With inputs from Partha Pratim Roy in Dubai
The DP World ILT20 continues to establish itself as a major platform for international and regional cricket. Key leadership figures and global icons, including Kuwait Cricket Board President Haider Farman, fast-bowling legends Shoaib Akhtar and Brett Lee, and veteran commentator Simon Doull have highlighted the league’s pivotal role in developing local talent and fostering high-performance competition across the Gulf.
“What began as a dream has grown into one of the world’s leading cricket leagues, bringing together top players and major franchises, while helping grow cricket in the UAE, the region and beyond,” ILT20 Chairman Khalid Al Zarooni said.
“I would like to thank our stakeholders, franchise owners, commercial and strategic partners for their continued support, with a special acknowledgement to DP World and Zee Network, as well as our strategic cricket partners Kuwait Cricket, the Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation, the Afghanistan Cricket Board and Cricket Ireland. We are also delighted to welcome SPORTFIVE as a new commercial partner and look forward to another successful season.”
Across the last four seasons of the ILT20, we have had four different winners. Sam Curran-led Desert Vipers are go into the next edition as the defending champions.
The six teams will have chance to further boost their squad with the auction set for October 1. The fifth edition of the ILT20 is expected to take place in the October-November window this year.
A stepping stone for gulf cricket and world-class mentorship
Reflecting on the league’s regional reach, Kuwait Cricket Board President Haider Farman acknowledged the transformational impact of the ILT20 following the selection of six Kuwaiti players in Season 4. “It gave us a great and super opportunity for our players,” Farman noted, highlighting that the initiative has doubled local participation and fueled on-field success like Kuwait’s historic win over Oman. “It’s a story being built from DP World ILT20. Today, we are so proud to be part of this great event,” he added.
This regional push is paired with invaluable exposure to international icons. Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee emphasized the unique learning curve available to rising talent, noting, “The local talent having access to the big, big names that are coming over and they’ll be rubbing shoulders with them, calling themselves teammates, learning how they go through their training sessions.”
Echoing these sentiments, former Pakistan pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar praised the tournament’s overall structure and its benefits for regional prospects. “I think it’s an amazing job done by the ILT20 management. It’s an amazing platform for the local talent,” Akhtar stated.
Bringing his humour to his friendly pace rivalry with Lee, Akhtar added, “If he can bowl 125 km/h at this age, I can give him half of my daily fee!” He also noted that the league gives fast bowlers the freedom to bowl at full pace, humorously adding that he wishes three bouncers per over were allowed.
Elevating standards for global competition
Beyond the immediate excitement on the field, commentator Simon Doull pointed out that sharing dressing rooms with world-class players accelerates long-term professional development. “While they are here learning and getting better, they will take back to their own nations a little bit of what it takes to be professional,” Doull explained.
Doull stressed that while local and associate players must earn their spots in the playing XI on merit, the high-performance standards provided by the ILT20 are crucial. Ultimately, these structural gains aim to equip regional players with the experience required to elevate their national teams on the global stage, including future ICC World Cups.
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