The ILT20 allows a higher number of overseas players than most T20 leagues, with up to nine overseas players permitted in a playing XI.[3] Each team must also include at least one player from the UAE and one player from an Associate Member nation in the playing XI.[4]
History
The league was officially announced by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) in June 2022 as a professional Twenty20 franchise league based in the United Arab Emirates. The league was initially planned to begin in early 2023, with its first season window announced in June 2022.[5] However, due to scheduling conflicts and organisational preparations, the inaugural edition was later rescheduled and eventually held from 13 January to 12 February 2023.[6]
The league was created with the aim of establishing a world-class T20 tournament and positioning the UAE as a major destination on the global cricket calendar. The tournament featured six city-based franchises, several of which were owned by companies that also own teams in other major leagues such as the Indian Premier League, including ownership links to Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Delhi Capitals.
The ILT20 adopted a distinctive squad composition policy, allowing teams to field up to nine overseas players in a playing XI, significantly higher than most other franchise leagues. To support domestic cricket development, each team was required to include at least two UAE players in their squad.
Although the tournament initially did not have official status because the Emirates Cricket Board is an Associate member of the International Cricket Council, the ILT20 became the first Associate member–run franchise league to be granted List A status by the ICC in December 2023.[7] As a result, all matches and player statistics are officially recognised.
The second edition of the tournament will kick off on 19 January and end on 17 February.[8][9]
The first 2 seasons accumulated 340 Million views globally. 108 million people tuned in from across India even though attendance was low.[10] The second ILT20 season was won by MI Emirates defeated Dubai Capitals by 45 runs to win the title.
The fourth season of the International League T20 (ILT20) began on 2 December 2025, earlier than usual to avoid a clash with the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup in February. The tournament will conclude on 4 January 2026.[11]
For the 2025–26 season, the ILT20 adopted a player auction format for the first time, replacing the draft system used in previous years. The auction is scheduled to take place in Dubai on 1 October 2025. Each team had already made retentions and direct signings earlier in the year, and was allowed to spend up to USD 800,000 during the auction, with an overall squad budget ranging from USD 1.5 million to USD 2 million.[12]
Organisation
Trophy
The ILT20 Trophy was designed and made by London-based silversmiths Thomas Lyte.[13] Unveiled in October 2022, the trophy's design is intended to reflect the spirit of the league and the heritage and culture of the UAE. The trophy measures 830mm in height, directly proportional to the 830m Burj Khalifa.[14] The falcon is the UAE’s national bird, and its teardrop shape makes up the trophy’s form, while the seven Emirates that make up the UAE form a seven-pointed crown. Inspired by the shape of the sands of Tel Moreeb, the finial sits on top of the trophy holding a cricket ball.
The ILT20 has a number of rules which vary from the established Laws of cricket or those used in other Twenty20 leagues:
Nine out of eleven players on each team can be overseas players,[15] which will be significantly higher than the four or five overseas-player-limit of other major T20 leagues.[16] Two players on each team must be a UAE player and a player from an Associate Member nation respectively.[15]
Teams can use a substitute, termed a "Super Sub", from a list of Seven players named as possible substitutes. The substitution can be made before the start of innings, when a wicket falls, when a batter retires, or at the end of an over. Both teams can introduce a substitute once per match.
Controversy
There has been some controversy around the ILT20's plan to only require one local (UAE) player in the playing XI of each team, with several Full Members calling for regulations requiring a higher minimum number of local players in the ILT20 and other T20 leagues.[17] Attendance was low due to lack of participation of Indian cricketers.[18]
In May 2021, Essel Group owned Zee Entertainment Enterprises bought the media rights of this league for ten years from 2023 to 2032 at a cost of US$120 million.[19][20] (Also see approx. $10.2 million a year). The events are attended by international celebrities and cricket legends every year.
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