ILT20 2023 is being called the second most lucrative T20 league in the world. The UAE International Twenty20 League features some of the biggest names in the cricketing world playing in the league and is already making rounds all over the world.
The opening ceremony was held two days ago, which featured some big performances by Dwayne Bravo, Jason Derulo, Badshah, and Bollywood Icon Shah Rukh Khan. The official song of the league was sung by Badshah titled Halla Halla and was performed at the opening ceremony as well.
ILT20 2023 Teams
A total of six teams will play the league across three venues. The matches will be played in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Dubai. The league will feature three teams from IPL franchise owners, which is why there are some similarities between their colors and names. The six franchises are:
- Dubai Capitals
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
- MI Emirates
- Sharjah Warriors
- Gulf Giants
- Desert Vipers
Each team will have a maximum of 9 foreign players, 2 UAE players, and 2 associate overseas players in the squad. The playing 11 can be a mix of all of them.
Notable Players in the League
Some big names from all over the world are playing in the league. Some of them include:
- Sunil Narine of West Indies
- Colin Ingram of South Africa
- Andre Russel of West Indies
- Paul Stirling of Ireland
- Colin Munro of New Zealand
- Sam Billings of England
- Wanindu Hasaranga of Sri Lanka
- Alex Hales of England
- Rovman Powell of West Indes
- Joe Root of England
- Sikandar Raza of Zimbabwe
- James Vince of England
- Liam Dawson of England
- Chris Jordan of England
- Chris Lynn of Australia
- David Wiese of Namibia
- Kieron Pollard of West Indies
- Trent Boult of New Zealand
- Dwayne Bravo of West Indies
- Imran Tahir of South Africa
- Nicholas Pooran of West Indies
- Moeen Ali of England
- Dawid Malan of England
- Mohammad Nabi of Afghanistan
- Marcus Stoinis of Australia
- Chris Woakes of England
It should be noted that no Pakistani player will be playing the ILT20 2023. Only Azam Khan was available and he too didn’t receive a NOC from PCB.
Timing of the ILT20 2023
The ILT20 2023 will begin on 13 January 2023 and finish by 12 February 2023.
| Date | Match | Venue | Time |
| 13-Jan | Dubai Capitals v Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Dubai | 3:00 pm |
| 14-Jan | MI Emirates v Sharjah Warriors | Sharjah | 7:00 pm |
| 15-Jan | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders v Gulf Giants | Abu Dhabi | 3:00 pm |
| 15-Jan | Desert Vipers v Sharjah Warriors | Dubai | 7:00 pm |
| 16-Jan | Dubai Capitals v Gulf Giants | Dubai | 7:00 pm |
| 17-Jan | Sharjah Warriors v MI Emirates | Sharjah | 7:00 pm |
| 18-Jan | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders v Desert Vipers | Dubai | 7:00 pm |
| 19-Jan | Dubai Capitals v Gulf Giants | Sharjah | 7:00 pm |
| 20-Jan | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders v Desert Vipers | Abu Dhabi | 7:00 pm |
| 21-Jan | Dubai Capitals v Sharjah Warriors | Dubai | 3:00 pm |
| 21-Jan | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders v MI Emirates | Abu Dhabi | 7:00 pm |
| 22-Jan | Desert Vipers v Gulf Giants | Dubai | 3:00 pm |
| 22-Jan | Dubai Capitals v MI Emirates | Abu Dhabi | 7:00 pm |
| 23-Jan | Gulf Giants v Sharjah Warriors | Dubai | 7:00 pm |
| 24-Jan | Desert Vipers v MI Emirates | Abu Dhabi | 7:00 pm |
| 25-Jan | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders v Gulf Giants | Dubai | 7:00 pm |
| 26-Jan | Sharjah Warriors v Dubai Capitals | Sharjah | 7:00 pm |
| 27-Jan | Gulf Giants v MI Emirates | Dubai | 7:00 pm |
| 28-Jan | Sharjah Warriors v Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Sharjah | 3:00 pm |
| 28-Jan | Dubai Capitals v Desert Vipers | Dubai | 7:00 pm |
| 29-Jan | Desert Vipers v MI Emirates | Sharjah | 7:00 pm |
| 30-Jan | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders v Dubai Capitals | Abu Dhabi | 7:00 pm |
| 31-Jan | Sharjah Warriors v Desert Vipers | Sharjah | 7:00 pm |
| 01-Feb | Gulf Giants v MI Emirates | Abu Dhabi | 7:00 pm |
| 02-Feb | Dubai Capitals v Desert Vipers | Dubai | 7:00 pm |
| 03-Feb | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders v MI Emirates | Abu Dhabi | 7:00 pm |
| 04-Feb | Desert Vipers v Gulf Giants | Dubai | 3:00 pm |
| 04-Feb | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders v Sharjah Warriors | Abu Dhabi | 7:00 pm |
| 05-Feb | Dubai Capitals v MI Emirates | Dubai | 7:00 pm |
| 06-Feb | Sharjah Warriors v Gulf Giants | Sharjah | 7:00 pm |
| 08-Feb | Qualifier – P1 v P2 | Dubai | 7:00 pm |
| 09-Feb | Eliminator – P3 v P4 | Sharjah | 7:00 pm |
| 10-Feb | Qualifier 2 – Loser of Qualifier 1 v Winner of Eliminator | Dubai | 7:00 pm |
| 12-Feb | Winner Q1 v Winner Q2 | Dubai | 7:00 pm |