Here’s all the information about the team names, their owners, and the complete schedule for the UAE T20 League (ILT20) 2024.
After the successful launch of the International League T20 (ILT20) in 2023, the tournament is back for its second edition in 2024. The competition will take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from January 19 to February 17, 2024. Matches will be played in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, three of the UAE’s most iconic venues.
ILT20 Format
This year, six teams will compete in a double round-robin format. Each team will play against the others twice, and the top four teams will advance to the playoff stage, which will run from February 13 to February 17. A win will earn two points, while a draw will award one point. In total, 34 matches are scheduled for the tournament.
The playoff system follows a similar structure to the Indian Premier League (IPL). The top two teams from the group stage will face off in the first qualifier for a spot in the final. Meanwhile, the third and fourth teams will play in the eliminator round. The second qualifier will feature the loser of the first qualifier and the winner of the eliminator.
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Teams and Their Owners
Six teams will participate in ILT20 2024, with some of them having connections to IPL franchises:
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
- Owned by Shah Rukh Khan’s Knight Riders Group (co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL).
- The team is captained by all-rounder Sunil Narine. Their home matches will be played at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
- Desert Vipers
- Owned by Avram Glazer, who also owns the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL) and is a majority shareholder in Manchester United.
- Colin Munro leads the team, and their home ground is Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
- Dubai Capitals
- Owned by GMR Group, which also owns Delhi Capitals in the IPL and the UP Yoddha in the Pro Kabaddi League.
- David Warner serves as the team captain, and like the Vipers, their home games will be held at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
- Gulf Giants
- Owned by Adani Sportsline Pvt. Ltd., which also owns Gujarat Giants (IPL Women’s League, Pro Kabaddi, and more).
- The team is led by James Vince, and they will play at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
- MI Emirates
- Owned by Indiawin Sports Private Limited, the same company that owns Mumbai Indians (the five-time IPL champions).
- Nicholas Pooran is the captain, and their home ground is Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
- Sharjah Warriors
- Owned by Capri Global Holdings Pvt. Ltd., a financial services company.
- Tom Kohler-Cadmore captains the side, and their home venue is Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Complete Squads for ILT20 2024
Here are the full squads for each team:
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Sunil Narine (captain), Andre Russell, Ali Khan, Joe Clarke, Josh Little, David Willey, and others.
- Desert Vipers: Colin Munro (captain), Shaheen Shah Afridi, Alex Hales, Shadab Khan, Sheldon Cottrell, and more.
- Dubai Capitals: David Warner (captain), Joe Root, Dasun Shanaka, Sikandar Raza, Sam Billings, and more.
- Gulf Giants: James Vince (captain), Chris Jordan, Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Lynn, Gerhard Erasmus, and more.
- MI Emirates: Nicholas Pooran (captain), Kieron Pollard, Trent Boult, Dwayne Bravo, Ambati Rayudu, and others.
- Sharjah Warriors: Tom Kohler-Cadmore (captain), Chris Woakes, Mahesh Theekshana, Martin Guptill, Sean Williams, and more.
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Broadcast and Streaming Information
In India, fans can catch live broadcasts of ILT20 2024 on Zee Network and Sony Six. For those who prefer to stream the matches, the Zee5 app and website will provide live coverage throughout the tournament.
Key International Players
Some well-known T20 specialists will be part of ILT20 2024, including Chris Lynn, Shimron Hetmyer, Carlos Brathwaite, and Finn Allen. These players are known for their explosive performances and will be crucial to their respective teams.
ILT20 2024 Schedule
Here’s a look at some key matches from the tournament:
- January 19: Sharjah Warriors vs Gulf Giants (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
- January 20: Dubai Capitals vs MI Emirates (Dubai International Cricket Stadium)
- January 21: Desert Vipers vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Dubai International Cricket Stadium)
The tournament will continue with multiple matches each week until the final on February 17, 2024, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
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