The International League T20 (ILT20) on Tuesday announced a landmark strategic partnership with the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF), officially sanctioning the ILT20 as a T20 league (men and women) permitted to host matches within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in forthcoming seasons. The collaboration marks a major milestone in ILT20’s efforts to expand and enrich cricket across the Gulf region.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Through the partnership, ILT20 will work closely with SACF and its commercial arm, the Cricket Investment Company (CIC), to develop cricket in Saudi Arabia, while identifying and nurturing local talent. Saudi players will now have a direct pathway into the league, with the ILT20 Season 4 Player Auction, scheduled for Wednesday, 1 October, requiring each franchise to secure at least one cricketer from the Kingdom. In addition, ILT20 matches will be staged in Saudi Arabia in the coming years, further promoting cricket in the region.Chairman of ILT20, Khalid Al Zarooni, said, “We are very proud to announce our partnership with the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation. Saudi Arabia is a key part of the Gulf region, and its commitment to developing cricket is inspiring. This partnership is built on our shared vision of growing the game beyond borders. The ILT20 will create opportunities for players and hopefully bring world-class cricket closer to the fans.“HRH Prince Saud Bin Mishal Al-Saud, Chairman of SACF, emphasised the broader significance, saying, “We are proud to partner with the ILT20. This collaboration reflects our commitment to developing cricket in the country and providing our players with opportunities to grow and succeed on an international stage. It also provides a platform for fan engagement within the Kingdom and opens up further avenues for developing the game across infrastructure and tourism. With Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 placing strong emphasis on sport and community engagement, we believe this partnership will inspire more young men and women to take up cricket and will play a vital role in the sport’s growth in the country as part of SACF’s strategy to enable the private sector within Saudi Arabia. This partnership is of immense significance to both SACF and the ILT20, as we jointly expand across borders and become a catalyst for the growth of cricket in the Gulf region.”ILT20 CEO David White added, “This is a significant step in our vision to grow the game across the Gulf region. We have seen first-hand how young players from the UAE, and the broader ecosystem, have benefited from the ILT20 platform under world-class coaching and playing alongside international stars. With Saudi Arabia’s dynamic growth in sport and entertainment, this partnership provides a tremendous opportunity for Saudi cricketers to develop. In the coming years we will be hosting ILT20 tournament matches in Saudi Arabia while from next year, a development tournament will also be staged there, which will provide an excellent opportunity for the local talent to make a claim for the main event. The league will also help Saudi Arabia in cricketing infrastructure development.”ILT20 Season 4 is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, 2 December, featuring six teams across 34 matches, culminating in the final on Sunday, 4 January 2026. This partnership is expected to play a transformative role in expanding cricket’s footprint in the Gulf region while offering a platform for local talent to shine on an international stage.
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