ILT20 finds its formula: Clear window and a stronger local core

The ILT20 Season 4 concluded at the Dubai International Stadium, having met key objectives. It largely avoided a major scheduling clash with its primary competitor, the SA20, despite a brief overlap after SA20 began on December 26. The league secured a relatively clear window.

This season also saw strategic progress, including a landmark agreement with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. A significant on-field change was the reduction of overseas internationals permitted in a playing XI from nine to eight.

David White, the league's CEO, stated: "The first motivation was, in our traditional window, was the T20 World Cup. We couldn't play in that window, obviously. So we decided to play earlier, and it's been very successful. We're very happy with it. I think the quality of players has been very good."

He added, "We've got a bit of a clash with the Big Bash and a little bit with SA20, but I think that having a clearer window has certainly been an advantage." White indicated Season 5 is likely to be held around similar dates.

Next year, South Africa's traditional Boxing Day and New Year Tests are expected to further reduce scheduling conflicts. The first three seasons of ILT20 and SA20 had overwhelmingly overlapped.

White acknowledged the challenge of finding a free window, as most international cricket occupies the Southern Hemisphere schedule. The UAE league uses this window to avoid the region's extreme summer heat. "We play in the same window as the southern hemisphere, but it's our winter, so it's different… It's worked out well," he said.

On the new partnerships, White said: "We see DP World ILT20 as very much a platform to help develop cricket within the GCC region… we'll be looking to play matches in those regions in the near future."

A point of criticism for the tournament has been the high number of overseas players. This season, organisers increased regional representation to three (two UAE players and one Associate nation player), reducing overseas slots to eight. White expects this trend to continue.

"Our primary focus is the development of UAE players, associate players and other players around the world… one of the big success stories of this year is the fact that UAE players and associate players have been some of the best performers in the league," he noted.

UAE's Muhammad Waseem (MI Emirates) finished as the season's second-highest run-scorer. His compatriot, Ajay Kumar of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, was the joint-highest wicket-taker with 18 wickets.

White concluded: "We had two UAE players and an associate player. Initially it was nine. It's down to eight this year. So we'd like to think that we keep building on that."