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Saudi Arabia ventures into mainstream cricket; partners with ILT20 ahead of auction

Aakash Saini

ILT20 trophy [Source: ilt20.ae]ILT20 trophy [Source: ilt20.ae]

The Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation has ventured into the world of mainstream cricket for the first time by partnering up with the UAE-based International League T20 (ILT20). Their partnership was established just a couple of months prior to the launch of the fourth edition of the tournament, i.e., the ILT20 2026 season.

Under this partnership, each of the six ILT20 franchises will be required to acquire at least one cricketer from Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia licenses ECB’s ILT20

The ILT20, as organised by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), has been licensed by the Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation. In an official media release from ILT20 officials, Saudi Arabia Cricket Chairman Prince Saud Bin Mishal Al-Saud confirmed the same, describing their collaboration as “a commitment to developing cricket in the country”.

Under the partnership, Saudi Arabia will also host matches of the ILT20 league (men and women) in the coming years. The ILT20 official website claimed that the partnership serves as an important step for the league’s efforts in expanding and “enriching cricket across the gulf region”.

With Saudi Arabia players now gaining a direct pathway into the ILT20, all six franchises of the tournament will be required to rope in at least one Saudi Arabia cricketer in the upcoming ILT20 2025-26 player auction on Wednesday, October 1.

ILT20 Chairman Khalid Al Zarooni expressed his excitement in partnering up with the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation, describing Saudi Arabia as a key part of the Gulf region. He added that this strategic partnership will create opportunities for the players and will “hopefully bring” world class T20 cricket closer to the fans of the league.