ILT20: Gulf Giants' Tom Banton opens up on what makes UAE's International League T20 different, says THIS

Over 100 international players have been signed to compete in the DP World International League T20 inaugural edition.

Zee News

The inaugural season of UAE's International League T20 is all set to kick start on January 13, 2023, with six teams and 34 matches to be played across the UAE. Ever since IPL as a concept was thrown into the world cricket way back in 2008 almost every cricket-playing nation has there own T20 league. Pakistan has PSL, Australia has Big Bash, England has The Hundred, South Africa has SA20 while Bangladesh has BPL and now the list has its new member in the name of ILT20. As many as eight foregin players are allowed in the playing XI which makes it truly an international league. Gulf Giants's Tom Banton, who played for Kolkata Knight Rider in IPL 2020 and remained unsold in this year's auction, has opened up on what makes ILT20 interesting.

Mark these dates and clear your schedule! _ _

The highly anticipated @ILT20Official fixtures are out! _ #ALeagueApart#GiantArmy, are you ready to enjoy some top-notch cricketing action in UAE?#Adani #Cricket #T20 #CricketFans #CricketLovers_#CricketFever pic.twitter.com/ORShOWEfGU

— Gulf Giants _ (@GulfGiants) November 29, 2022

"Yeah, it's awesome. I was quite young when I went to Brisbane, so it was quite cool. He is one of the best players in the world in this format, so we obviously built a relationship and we did quite well when we played together, which is nice. As soon as possible we can bring that over to this format in the next few weeks. Hopefully, be back open together a lot. I don't know what the team or anything is going to be, but, yeah, hopefully, that'll be awesome if that would happen," Tom said in virtual press conference.

"Yeah, I think if you want to make the standard as good as possible, then that's probably going to encourage that. And I think obviously for the tolerance in the UAE, I think there's a rule you have to play your two UAE players, which I think is awesome.Obviously, to those guys there, it's probably going to be a big exposure for them and hopefully take them quickly forward, which is going to be awesome. So for those guys, I think it's awesome. But, yeah, I think if the standard wants to be as high as it can, then overseas is obviously great," Tom added.

The biggest cricket festival is all set to hit the United Arab Emirates in just seven days’ time as the DP World International League T20 will kick off on 13 January 2023 at the Dubai International Stadium. The power hitter Andre Russell, the wily leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, the dashing Dwayne Bravo, the seasoned Robin Uthappa, the fearsome striker Chris Lynn, and the experienced Moeen Ali are in readiness to mesmerize the cricket fans during the month-long competition.

A total of six franchises which include Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriors will be battling it out, to lift the magnificent competition trophy, from 13 January to 12 February 2023 across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. And all six franchises have now finalised their squads for one of the most exciting cricket leagues in the world.

Dubai Capitals will take on Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in what is anticipated to be a mouth-watering opening match, launching the inaugural edition of the DP World ILT20, following a glitzy opening ceremony which will see superstar Badshah and megastar Jason Derulo wow the fans at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday, 13 January 2023.

Making its debut on January 13 (2023), the inaugural DP World ILT20 promises to be a high-octane competition with some of the greatest cricketing superstars on the planet set to make their way to the UAE to kick-off the league. The league will be played in a 34-match format across the UAE’s exemplary, world-class cricket facilities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.     

Franchise teams, comprising more than 100 international and 24 UAE-based players, include Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Knight Riders Group), Desert Vipers (Lancer Capital), Dubai Capitals (GMR), Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline), MI Emirates (Reliance Industries), and Sharjah Warriors (Capri Global).