In a landmark development for Gulf cricket, the DP World International League T20 (ILT20) has announced a strategic partnership with the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF). The collaboration, revealed on Tuesday, paves the way for Saudi Arabia to become an official host and active participant in the tournament’s future.
Under this agreement, the SACF has sanctioned and licensed the DP World ILT20 as an official men’s and women’s T20 league within the Kingdom. As part of the deal, the league will soon stage matches in Saudi Arabia – a move hailed as a huge boost for the sport’s regional growth.
Saudi Players to Feature in Season 4 Auction
One of the immediate impacts of this partnership will be seen in the upcoming Season 4 Player Auction on October 1, where every franchise is required to sign at least one Saudi player. This opens an unprecedented pathway for Saudi cricketers to rub shoulders with global stars, and potentially change the cricketing landscape of the Kingdom.
ILT20 Chairman Khalid Al Zarooni expressed his excitement over the collaboration, calling it “a shared vision of growing the game beyond borders.” Meanwhile, SACF Chairman HRH Prince Saud Bin Mishal Al-Saud highlighted the deal as a perfect alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which emphasizes sport and community engagement.
“This collaboration reflects our commitment to developing cricket in the country and providing our players with opportunities to grow and succeed on an international stage,” said Prince Saud.
Building for the Future
According to ILT20 CEO David White, Saudi Arabia will not only host league matches in the coming years, but also launch a development tournament from next year to prepare local players for the main stage. He added that the league’s presence will also aid in infrastructure and tourism growth within the Kingdom.
What This Means for ILT20
For fans, this marks a fresh chapter:
- More venues – future ILT20 matches in Saudi Arabia.
- New talent – Saudi players in Season 4 squads.
- Regional growth – cricket spreading across the Gulf under a unified vision.
The DP World ILT20 Season 4 kicks off on December 2, 2025, with six teams battling across 34 matches before the final on January 4, 2026. This time, the league carries a wider sense of purpose – not just entertaining fans, but also shaping the future of cricket in the region.
