UAE cashes in on T20 league hopes to inspire smaller cricket nations to stay financially stable

UAE cricket boss Mubashshir Usmani has given an impassioned defence of the newly formed UAE T20 league, saying cricket should not be ‘monopolized’ and the six teams that get cash The competition can serve as a template for Member States that are often shunned by regular members.

He also dismissed concerns about teams that may have only two local players, arguing that the number of overseas players on a team is “arbitrary”.

opener International League T20 (ILT20), which starts in January and lasts for about a month, caused a stir with top players offering a massive $450,000 per season bonus, which is on par with South Africa’s new T20 league, but much higher than Australia and Bangladesh were established at the same time league matches.

The influx of T20 leagues has created a headache for the already saturated international cricket calendar, although plans for the next future tour have been delayed shortly after the International Cricket Council (ICC) annual meeting, which ends on July 29.

there are already many Think piece The primacy of international cricket came under the spotlight after the ILT20, which was privately owned but sanctioned by the Emirates Cricket Board and backed by heavyweights including several Indian Premier League franchises.

Usmani told me, “We strongly believe that representing your country at an elite level, in whatever form, is the pinnacle of our game.” But…it’s time for employees to find innovative, sustainable ways to ensure their own reliable income stream. “

UAE cricket chiefs have been frustrated for years Full Member Ambition It was hampered by strict ICC standards and the reluctance of full members to play the UAE in bilateral matches.

The UAE has clearly ticked the coveted full membership, which would bring in more money and a prominent place on the all-powerful board of directors of the ICC, except for the UAE men who have won at least one full membership at the World Cup or in eight years. of bilateral matches, qualifiers and four victories with full members.

The Emirati man is currently 14th in the ODI rankings and 12th in the T20I rankings.

“Associate members can only get 1/8 at most^th Among the (ICC) funds received by full members, there is a need to continuously manage their cash flow and revenue streams,” said Usmani, a global rising executive who surprisingly missed a recent ICC board meeting Location Deputy Director Election at the annual meeting in Birmingham.

“The lack of funding impacts and drives every aspect of the business; to participate in this tournament and earn valuable points to maintain ICC compliance, miss out on this tournament and miss out on developing talent.

“It’s a delicate balancing act and, to be very transparent, Associates is the future of global cricket. Our game should not be monopolized. Emirates cricket has an opportunity to set an example for those who need to sustain themselves.”

The emergence of the Emirates League has put particular pressure on the much-maligned Big Bash League (BBL), which is going through Retrofitforcing cricket Australiasaid to negotiate A big offer has been made for star hitter David Warner, who had been targeted by ILT20.

While longtime BBL star Chris Lynn could play in UAE League blocked Australian regulators have sparked debate over the legality of no-objection certificates.

The issue was part of a slew of debates at the recent annual conference, which focused on the potential for teams in the ILT20 to field nine overseas players, compared to the generally accepted rule of four foreigners per side in the established T20 franchise.

The squad will consist of 18 players, including 12 international players, two assistant players and four players from the UAE.

“The number of overseas players in a league is arbitrary,” said Usmani, a member of the ICC chief executive’s committee. “You will hear different opinions on what is the right amount of overseas players in the league.

“Some would say that the current practice of four overseas players playing in the XI in other leagues comes at the expense of the opportunity of four homegrown talent.

“We believe that as an upcoming league with four UAE players and two UAE players in the official squad for guaranteed places in the XI, as the start of ILT20 is the right number.

“We also believe that, like full members, associate members should have the freedom to self-govern and create domestic championships.”

There are also concerns about securing funding from private investment, leading some to label the nascent league as an “IPL satellite” that really flows into grassroots and access schemes.

Usmani said the sanctions for the match had “very clear objectives”.

“As a first step, ILT20 recently agreed to fund the UAE women’s team’s first-year central contract and select the cost of a full-time women’s development officer,” Usmani said. For a few years, very little state investment.

“The development programme promised to be carried out by the franchisee every year will have a major impact on UAE cricket and will save the ECB money that would otherwise have to be spent.”

Emirates cricket, though just metres from the ICC Dubai headquarters, may have been somewhat overlooked in the past, but with its wealthy upstarts expected to expand in the coming years, it has gained the attention of full members and the entire cricket world.

“Our team was very focused on this founding year and made it a huge success — for everyone involved,” Usmani said.

“We are giving our UAE players and other prospective players the opportunity to connect with the best players and give those who play the opportunity to bring these learnings to their own international competition.

“This model is far from a threat, but keeps the game alive for ourselves and other colleagues.”