ILT20 Season 3: High Stakes, Big Clashes, and a Packed Schedule

The highly anticipated third season of the ILT20 is set to begin on January 11, 2025, with MI Emirates taking on Dubai Capitals in Dubai. The tournament’s finale will also be held in Dubai, on February 9. Featuring six teams, the competition will conclude its league phase on February 3, with playoffs beginning on February 5. Key playoff matches will take place in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, with the first qualifier in Dubai, the eliminator in Abu Dhabi, and the second qualifier in Sharjah.

This season’s ILT20 will overlap with several other major T20 leagues, including South Africa’s SA20, Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL), the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), and New Zealand’s Super Smash. Players contracted to multiple leagues will face tough decisions on where to play.

The biggest conflict arises with the SA20, running from January 9 to February 8, closely mirroring the ILT20 schedule. Other overlapping tournaments include the BBL (December 15 to January 27), the BPL (December 30 to February 7), and the Super Smash (December 26 to February 2). Last season, the BBL experienced a mass exodus of international stars when the ILT20 began mid-January. Although many played most of the BBL’s regular season before leaving, this year’s scheduling may exacerbate player availability issues.

Player Dilemmas and Star Power

Several high-profile players will face scheduling conflicts this season. David Warner, captain of Sydney Thunder in the BBL, has committed to playing the entire BBL season, meaning he won’t join Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 until January 17, or later if Thunder reaches the finals. Meanwhile, New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson has opted to shift mid-season, starting with Sydney Thunder before heading to the ILT20 to represent Desert Vipers.

Others, like Jake Fraser-McGurk (Melbourne Renegades/Dubai Capitals), Matthew Wade (Hobart Hurricanes/Sharjah Warriorz), and Chris Jordan (Hurricanes/Gulf Giants), will also navigate dual commitments. Retained ILT20 stars include Andre Russell and Sunil Narine (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), Rovman Powell and Shimron Hetmyer (Gulf Giants), and Nicholas Pooran (MI Emirates). Additionally, Jason Roy, Fakhar Zaman, and Matthew Wade are set to debut in the competition.

Tournament Format and Venues

The ILT20 will feature 34 matches across three venues in the UAE. Dubai will host 15 games, Abu Dhabi 11, and Sharjah eight. Evening matches are scheduled for 6:30 PM on weekdays and 6:00 PM on weekends, with afternoon double-header games starting at 2:00 PM.

Crowded Calendar and Future Plans

David White, ILT20’s CEO, acknowledged the logistical challenges of the January-February window, especially with the addition of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. While exploring alternative schedules, including an October-November slot, the league decided to maintain its established timeline, which has been used for the past two years.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), meanwhile, has announced a shift of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to April-May in an effort to avoid the congestion of the December-February period, though this adjustment will lead to clashes with the IPL.

With its exciting roster, overlapping leagues, and strategic challenges, ILT20 Season 3 promises to be a captivating chapter in global franchise cricket.