Image Credit- ILT20
Just over a month before the start of its second
season, the ICC granted List A classification to the UAE-based ILT20, one of
the top franchise-run T20 leagues in the world despite only being in its first
season due to the calibre of players it has drawn. This is the first T20 league
to receive the status, having been operated by the board of an Associate
nation.
This implies that all tournament data will now have
official status and the competition will be acknowledged as an official T20
tournament. The ILT20 referred to the update as “a major milestone”
and a “major boost” in a statement.
“Earning the List A status is a major milestone
for the DP World International League T20. We would like to thank the ICC for
the acknowledgment,” David White, chief executive of the league, said.
“The recognition is a clear indication of the strength and stature of our
league.”
The tournament’s second iteration will begin on
January 19 and go through February 17.
Additionally, T20 stars like David Warner, Andre
Russell, Sunil Narine, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Alex Hales,
Shimron Hetmyer, Chris Jordan, Trent Boult, Nicholas Pooran, Chris Woakes,
Maheesh Theekshana, and others will be competing at the ILT20 despite the
tournament’s dates somewhat conflicting with those of a number of other T20
leagues, including the BPL, the SA20 league in South Africa, the Australian
BBL, the Super Smash in New Zealand, and possibly the PSL.
The ILT20 is currently a six-team league, with three
of the teams – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai Capitals and MI Emirates – owned
by groups that own IPL teams. Gulf Giants, led by James Vince, won the first
edition when they beat Desert Vipers in the final.