According to reports, the Saudi Arabian government is planning to set up a new T20 league in the country, and representatives have already approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the IPL franchise owners for collaboration.
Talks about the league have reportedly been underway for almost a year now, with Saudi Arabia looking to create a sustainable industry for locals and expats living in the country and make it a global cricketing destination.
The move comes as no surprise, as Saudi Arabia has already hosted several world-class sports events, including the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Saudi International Golf, and top boxing bouts, among others.
The Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation chairman, Prince Saud bin Mishal Al-Saud, was quoted by Arab News last month saying, “Our aim is to create a sustainable industry for locals and expats living in the Kingdom and make Saudi Arabia a global cricketing destination.”
The reports said that representatives of the Saudi Arabian government has proposed plans to set up the League with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which owns the IPL, as well as with owners of the IPL franchises.
Reports suggest that Indian players, who are not allowed to participate in other T20 leagues around the world, could feature in the new league. The Saudi representatives have reportedly made a request to allow Indian players to play in the league.
A report in the Melbourne-based The Age said that talks regarding the league have been underway for close to a year now.
If the league does come into existence, it could give the IPL a run for its money, as Saudi Arabia has heavily invested in sports tourism and has shown keen interest in cricket.
ICC chairman Greg Barclay has previously said that cricket would be an obvious sport for Saudi Arabia to invest in, given their regional presence and interest in sports tourism.
“If you look at other sports they’ve been involved in, cricket is something I imagine would be attractive to them,” Barclay said. “Given their advance into sport more generally, cricket would work quite well for Saudi Arabia. They’re pretty keen to invest in sport, and given their regional presence, cricket would seem a pretty obvious one to pursue.”
It remains to be seen whether the new league will materialize, but if it does, it could shake up the world of T20 cricket and offer a new platform for players and fans alike.
The IPL has set the benchmark for T20 leagues around the world, with its huge fan following, star-studded line-ups, and massive financial rewards. The league has attracted some of the best players from around the world and has become a breeding ground for young talent.
The Saudi Arabian league could offer similar opportunities for players, while also providing a new platform for fans to enjoy the game. With the backing of the Saudi Arabian government and their interest in sports tourism, the league could offer a unique experience for fans and players alike.
However, there are also concerns about the potential impact of such a league on the already congested cricketing calendar, especially with the T20 World Cup set to be held later this year.
It remains to be seen how the BCCI and other cricketing boards will respond to the proposal, but if the Saudi Arabian league does come into existence, it could be a game-changer for the world of cricket.
