The third edition of the International League T20 (ILT20) is set to run from January 11 to February 9, 2025. This timing puts it in direct conflict with several prominent T20 leagues, including the Big Bash League (BBL), SA20, Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), and New Zealand‘s Super Smash.
Overlapping Schedules with Major Franchise Leagues
The ILT20’s schedule overlaps significantly with other leagues. The SA20 will take place from January 9 to February 8, while the BBL is set to run from December 15 to January 27. The BPL will kick off on December 30 and conclude on February 7. Additionally, the Super Smash will occur from December 26 to February 2.
This crowded calendar raises concerns about player availability. Last season, the BBL experienced a mass exodus of overseas players during the finals due to the start of the ILT20. This trend is likely to continue as players choose between competing leagues.
Player Decisions and Conflicts
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Several high-profile players face tough choices this season. David Warner, captain of Sydney Thunder in the BBL, has committed to the entire season. This means he won’t join Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 until January 17 or later if Thunder reaches the finals. Conversely, New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson will start with Thunder but plans to switch to Desert Vipers in the ILT20.
Other players caught in this scheduling conflict include Jake Fraser-McGurk (Melbourne Renegades/Dubai Capitals), Matthew Wade (Hobart Hurricanes/Sharjah Warriorz), and Chris Jordan (Hurricanes/Gulf Giants).
Star Players Retained
Despite these challenges, many stars have been retained for the ILT20. Notable names include Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Nicholas Pooran. Additionally, new entrants like Jason Roy and Fakhar Zaman are set to make their debuts in this edition.
The tournament will feature a total of 34 matches, culminating in a final at Dubai International Stadium. Matches will be split across three venues: Dubai International Stadium (15 matches), Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi (11 matches), and Sharjah (8 matches). Evening games will start at 6:30 PM on weekdays and at 6 PM on weekends.
CEO’s Insights on Scheduling
David White, CEO of ILT20, acknowledged that the January-February window is crowded due to overlapping tournaments and the Champions Trophy. He stated, “We are delighted to confirm the window for Season 3 after discussions with our stakeholders.” Despite considering moving the tournament to October-November, the decision was made to maintain consistency with previous seasons.
In a strategic move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently announced that they would shift the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to an April-May window. This decision aims to avoid conflicts within the busy December-February timeframe but may lead to clashes with the Indian Premier League (IPL).
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