Amidst a hectic international cricket schedule, DP World ILT20 2025 was one such domestic 20-over franchise league which recently got concluded. Interestingly, it aligned with the fixture list of the third edition of the SA20, sparking extensive debates on the planning by the management of both the leagues.
David White, CEO of DP World ILT20, pointed out the difference with regards to when cricket is played in England and the Caribbean as compared to how it goes down in the other parts of the world.
“I think you know what’s really interesting with league cricket is that if you look at global cricket, there’s only probably England and a little bit of the West Indies that’s in the northern hemisphere. So, the rest of the cricket around the world, international cricket or leagues is played in the southern hemisphere. Hence, all those countries have got to play cricket at the same time,” stated White, as quoted by Hindustan Times.
White attributed the fixture congestion to the timezones, and hence, the climate which makes it conducive for the DP World ILT20 to be played in the winter.
“At this time of year you’ve got New Zealand playing, you’ve got Australia playing, you’ve got Bangladesh playing, you’ve got South Africa playing. It is a reality of the geography of cricket and for the UAE obviously, we play in the winter because it’s just too hot in the summer. So, that is in the same southern hemisphere window. So, I think people forget the geography of cricket. There are so many southern hemisphere teams all playing at the same time. So, I think you’re always going to get some overlap,” he added.
Something that we would like to think in the years to come: White
The former CEO of New Zealand Cricket also shed light on the league’s plans of incorporating an additional quantity of local players into the mix in the editions to follow. Currently, only two players from the United Arab Emirates could feature in the playing XI of the participating teams.
“Well so, very good point. Something that we would like to think in the years to come. There’ll be more and more UAE players and associate players and it’s something that we’ll be considering this coming season. But, I’ve got to say we’ve been delighted with the performances of the UAE players and they’re really pushing for that change,” he said.
Also Read: DP World ILT20 2025 team of the tournament
Dubai Capitals emerged as the victors of the recently concluded edition by getting the better of Desert Vipers via a four-wicket margin. The game went right down to the wire, with the former tracking down the 190-run target with four deliveries to spare at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
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