ILT20 Season 3 to Feature Debut of T20 Stars Ferguson, Zaman, Hope, and More

ILT20 Season 3 to Feature Debut of T20 Stars Ferguson, Zaman, Hope, and More

The upcoming third season of the International League T20 (ILT20) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to witness a star-studded lineup of T20 specialists making their debuts. Among them are New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman, West Indies wicketkeeper-batter Shai Hope, Guyanese all-rounder Romario Shepherd, England opener Jason Roy, and Afghanistan batter Ibrahim Zadran.

Ferguson, who recently declined a national contract, has been signed by Desert Vipers. The Kiwi pacer has been in impressive T20 form, delivering four maidens in a T20I and taking ten wickets in seven games for Washington Freedom in the MLC. He will join left-arm quicks Mohammad Amir and Luke Wood at Vipers.

Fakhar Zaman will also join Vipers, while Adam Milne will link up with Sharjah Warriors. Milne will reunite with New Zealand teammate Tim Seifert, who has also turned down a domestic contract to pursue franchise T20 opportunities.

Dubai Capitals have signed Hope, who made his IPL debut earlier this year. The West Indian will captain the team in the absence of Imran Tahir. Former Australia batter Joe Burns and Sri Lankan slinger Garuka Sanketh are also among Capitals’ new signings.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have welcomed Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, who was part of Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL title-winning squad, and Terrance Hinds. Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran and Wahidullah Zadran have joined Gulf Giants.

MI Emirates have signed Shepherd, who will reunite with Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo. Italian batter Thomas Draca will also join the team.

The third season of the ILT20 will be played from January 11 to February 9, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah.

JP Duminy Appointed Head Coach of Sharjah Warriorz for ILT20

JP Duminy Appointed Head Coach of Sharjah Warriorz for ILT20

Former South African all-rounder JP Duminy has embarked on a new chapter in his cricketing career, taking on the role of head coach for the Sharjah Warriorz in the inaugural International League T20 (ILT20). Duminy’s appointment marks a significant milestone for the franchise, as he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the team.

Duminy’s illustrious playing career spanned over a decade, during which he represented South Africa in both white-ball and red-ball formats. His exceptional batting skills and all-round abilities made him a formidable force on the international stage. After retiring from international cricket in 2019, Duminy continued to play in various T20 leagues around the world, including the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Indian Premier League (IPL), and Pakistan Super League (PSL).

In addition to his playing experience, Duminy has also gained valuable coaching experience in recent years. He served as the batting coach for the South African domestic side Boland Rocks and later coached the Paarl Royals in the inaugural season of the SA20. His ability to nurture young talent and develop winning strategies has made him a highly sought-after coach.

Upon his appointment as head coach of the Sharjah Warriorz, Duminy expressed his excitement and enthusiasm for the challenge ahead. “I am delighted to take up the challenge of being the head coach with the Sharjah Warriorz,” he said. “This is an excellent set-up, which is vibrant and full of optimism and ideas for the upcoming season.”

Duminy’s primary focus will be on building a strong and competitive squad for the ILT20. With his extensive knowledge of the T20 format and his ability to identify and develop talent, he is well-equipped to lead the Warriorz to success. The franchise has already secured the services of several top-class players, including Moeen Ali, Dawid Malan, and Wanindu Hasaranga, and Duminy will be tasked with creating a cohesive unit that can challenge for the title.

The ILT20 is set to be a highly competitive tournament, featuring some of the world’s best T20 players. Duminy’s experience and leadership will be invaluable to the Sharjah Warriorz as they aim to make a mark in the inaugural edition of the league.

ILT20 Faces Scheduling Clashes with BBL and SA20 in 2025

ILT20 Faces Scheduling Clashes with BBL and SA20 in 2025

The International League T20 (ILT20) is set to face scheduling conflicts with the Big Bash League (BBL) and potentially the SA20 in 2025. The ILT20, a five-team franchise-based tournament in the UAE, has announced its schedule for 2025, running from January 11 to February 9.

The BBL’s dates have not been officially announced, but it is expected to run until January 26. The SA20 is likely to start shortly after the New Year’s Test between Pakistan and South Africa in Cape Town, which ends on January 7.

Another potential overlap is South Africa’s ODI series in Pakistan, scheduled for mid-February, as preparation for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

The ILT20 may also clash with the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), although the ILT20 has been more lucrative for top players. These scheduling conflicts have led to a high turnover of players in the ILT20, with teams signing players for specific windows as they move between competitions.

The BBL experienced a mass exodus of overseas players for the finals series last season when the ILT20 began on January 19. However, some overseas players were able to play most of the regular season before leaving for the UAE. This will not be the case next summer for players contracted to the ILT20.

The BBL hoped to mitigate potential clashes by having Australia’s Test stars available after the Sydney Test against India on January 7. However, Australia has a two-Test tour of Sri Lanka scheduled for late January to early February, and it is understood that the Test players may only be available for three BBL games, if at all, depending on rest requirements after five Tests against India in seven weeks.

The scheduling conflicts highlight the challenges of coordinating international cricket calendars, particularly with the proliferation of franchise-based leagues. It remains to be seen how the ILT20, BBL, and SA20 will adjust their schedules to avoid overlaps and ensure the availability of top players.

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