David White says ILT20 has formed formal partnerships with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait cricket. Photo: SALEEM KHALIQ
DUBAI:
ILT20 Chief Executive David White has said that he has a special fondness for Pakistani players and wishes to see more of them participating in the league in the future.
In an exclusive interview with Express tribune in Dubai, David White said that this season Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, and Naseem Shah are part of the ILT20.
He added that the selection of any player, including Babar Azam, is the decision of the franchises, but personally, he admires Pakistani cricketers and hopes to see more of them in the league in the coming years.
Regarding the possible exhibition match between the PSL and ILT20 champion teams, White said that “anything is possible in cricket.”
Such a contest would be a unique and exciting experience. He mentioned that the ILT20 administration maintains close ties with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and acknowledged that the PSL is among the world’s top leagues, so a major collaboration in the future cannot be ruled out.
White stated that as the league enters its fourth season, it has established a strong, stable, and respected identity on the global cricket map. He said this year’s ILT20 features higher standards, greater competition, and more fan engagement than ever before, with excellent cricket, thrilling matches, and outstanding player performances.
He further revealed that ILT20 has formed formal partnerships with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait cricket, under which the league will help improve high-performance cricket programs and infrastructure in those countries.
Players from these nations are now entering the ILT20 auction, and some have already been picked by teams. There are also plans to hold ILT20 matches in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in the near future.
White also noted that the UAE national team qualifying for the Asia Cup and now participating in the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka is clear evidence that ILT20 has exposed local players to top-level cricket. The league has given young Emirati cricketers the chance to play alongside world-class players, receive modern coaching, and gain international experience.
He concluded by saying that in the future, they aim for more Emirati players to become integral parts of the league, and he also announced plans to introduce a Women’s League in the coming years.
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