A new international T20 cricket league organised in partnership with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) will take place over 24 days in December and January, the ECB has announced.
The tournament will take place in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, with five new franchise teams participating. The event is sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
According to the ECB, the new tournament aims to be the “most innovative and inclusive T2 competition in the world”, and will provide opportunities for cricketers from ICC full member and associate member countries as well as juniors.
Each franchise will have a 16-man squad, including six international star players, two emerging players from ICC full member countries, three from ICC associate members, two juniors and three UAE cricketers.
“We are confident that this new evet will play a big role in growing the game, inspiring, promoting and developing the sport in order to add to the already world-leading UAE cricketing and sporting landscape,” said Zayed Abbas, ECB board member and spokesman.
The event has already received the support of six ICC full member nation cricket boards, including England and Wales, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, New Zealand and the West Indies.
“Our firm aim is for this event to take the sport to all corners of the UAE and to develop cricket a grassroots level, initially in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah,” said ECB CEO David East.
The name of the league and further details will be announced over the course of the coming months, according to the ECB.
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