T20 cricket is the hottest avatar of cricket these days and the UAE has decided to cash in on that. The UAE T20 League will be the latest addition to the global T20 cricket craze from next year onwards. From what has been learnt so far, this new league will have 6 teams competing for the top prize. It is being marketed as a close cousin of the IPL.
It is important to note here that the second half of this year’s edition of the IPL was played in the middle-east and consequently got an enormous reception in this part of the world. A large diaspora of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi immigrants live and work in the Gulf countries. So it has not come as a surprise that the UAE cricket board has gone with their plan of creating a T20 league of their own. This will lead to further cricketing development in the region.
Big Brands From The IPL Already Part Of The New League
The UAE cricket board has informed the media that it has successfully joined hands with three well-known brands of the IPL- Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, and Kolkata Knight Riders. These three IPL franchises would be operating 3 out of 6 teams of the new league.
This year the BCCI had held a bidding process to determine the owners of two new IPL teams based in Lucknow and Ahmedabad. Some well-known foreign entities were present during the bidding session and had participated in the process wholeheartedly. One of these foreign bodies happened to be Manchester United. is one the most famous of all football teams on the planet with a vast fan base. Although they failed to win the rights to operate an IPL franchise, this time around they have hit jackpot and will be seen controlling one of the 6 teams.
Another Indian firm, Capri Global, which is involved in the micro-finance sector, will become the owners of one of the teams. So the Indian presence in this new league will be huge.
Reliance Making Its Presence Felt In The Gulf
The Reliance Industries, belonging to the Ambani family, is a name to reckon with in the field of sports in India. They are the owners of 5-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians. They also hold a majority stake in the Indian Super League, the premier club football competition in India.
With the acquisition of a team in the UAE T20 League, the Ambanis would be looking to get a stronger foothold in the Gulf region. The Reliance board members have been astute and shrewd strategists and have utilised the power that sports have over the people of the subcontinent and beyond. Investing in football and cricket competitions has increased their valuation manifold. Presence in this new league would be hugely beneficial to their future business endeavours.
Reigning IPL Champions CSK Decides Against Joining UAE League
The current IPL champions, Chennai-based team Chennai Super Kings, was also initially seen to be going ahead with their plans of purchasing the rights of a team. But due to some undisclosed reason, they have backed out. This opened up a chance for other parties to come and join the bandwagon. One of the franchises from the Big Bash League of Australia, the Sydney Sixers, has come forward and made use of this vacancy. They will be joining the UAE league as its newest member.
New T20 Extravaganza To Begin In February 2022
If all goes according to plan, the UAE T20 League will raise its curtain in February 2022. Although the dates have not been finalised as of yet, internal sources have confirmed that the matches will be played from the middle of February. The UAE board will see to it that the tournament ends before the 2022 edition of the IPL.
As per reports, the UAE cricket board will hold the league once every year, following the tradition set by the IPL. They will be looking to increase the number of participating teams, but for now, will stick to its 6-team plan. The number of matches to be played in the first edition of the UAE T20 League has been set at 34.
Viewers Would Get To Watch The Matches Live In India
To the delight of cricketing fans in the country, the UAE cricket board has sold broadcast rights to Indian media giant Zee. The Zee network will be airing all the games played in the UAE live on its channel/s. The former CEO of the BCCI, Mr Rahul Johri, is now working for Zee. His involvement in finalising the deal has been no doubt crucial.