ILT20 Season 1 (2023)
2023 · 6 teams · T20 cricket
Tournament Overview
Series Overview
The inaugural ILT20 in January 2023 launched another chapter in global franchise cricket's remarkable expansion. Cricket Emirates — the UAE's governing body — partnered with some of the world's leading franchise brands (Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders) to create a six-team competition played across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Gulf Giants won the first title, defeating Desert Vipers in the final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The tournament's timing — January to February — filled a valuable gap in the global T20 calendar, running alongside South Africa's SA20 and giving white-ball specialists another high-quality competition to participate in. Players from Pakistan, India (those not restricted by BCCI regulations), West Indies, England, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand all featured prominently. The UAE's diverse and cricket-passionate population provided enthusiastic support, and the tournament's production quality — broadcast across multiple international channels — established it immediately as a serious franchise product. The first season was a proof of concept; subsequent editions would build on it.
Key Highlights
- 1Gulf Giants won the inaugural ILT20 — a new franchise cricket era began in the UAE
- 2Six teams competed across three UAE venues: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah
- 3The tournament attracted major international players from across the globe during the January window
- 4The format perfectly complemented the global T20 calendar — filling the post-BBL, pre-IPL gap
- 5Crowds at Dubai International Cricket Stadium and Zayed Cricket Stadium exceeded early expectations