RIYADH: In a move to expand its sporting footprint, Saudi Arabia is reportedly planning to set up the world’s richest Twenty20 tournament. According to a report in The Age, the Gulf state authorities have been in talks with Indian Premier League (IPL) owners to ensure the success of their next project.
The Saudi Arabian government is also keen on having Indian players participate in the proposed franchise league, although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) currently forbids its players from participating in overseas T20 competitions.
Sources say that talks for the league have been ongoing since last year, and it would require approval from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its member countries.
ICC chairman Greg Barclay has confirmed Saudi Arabia’s interest in investing in cricket, and that the sport would be an attractive proposition for the country, given its advance into sports more generally.
Cricket: Saudi Arabia seeks to set up world’s richest cricket competition https://t.co/piYd86By5b
— Malcolm Conn (@malcolmconn) April 13, 2023
Barclay said, “Given their regional presence, cricket would seem like a pretty obvious one to pursue. They are very keen to invest in sport, and cricket would work quite well for Saudi Arabia.”
The proposed T20 league in Saudi Arabia is expected to rival some of the other major cricketing leagues in the world, including the IPL, Big Bash League, and Caribbean Premier League.
With Saudi Arabia’s vast resources and financial backing, it is expected that the league would offer significant prize money to its participants.
The proposed league would be a significant boost to the sport in Saudi Arabia and could potentially help develop the game in the country.
Saudi League likely attract biggest names in cricket
With the backing of the Saudi Arabian government, the league would likely attract some of the biggest names in cricket from around the world.
The establishment of the proposed league would also be a significant development for the sport in the Middle East, which has seen significant growth in recent years.
The region has hosted a number of high-profile cricket events in the past, including the Indian Premier League, Pakistan Super League, and the T10 League.
The Saudi Arabian government has already made a significant investment in sports, with the country hosting major events such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix and the LIV Golf tournament.
The proposed T20 league is expected to be the latest addition to the country’s growing sports portfolio.
The proposed T20 league in Saudi Arabia is a significant development for the sport in the Middle East, and it could potentially rival some of the other major cricketing leagues in the world. With Saudi Arabia’s financial backing and resources, the league is expected to offer significant prize money to its participants, attracting some of the biggest names in cricket from around the world.
