The inaugural season of the DP World International League T20 (DP World ILT20) will be overseen by a team of highly experienced international cricket umpires. The list also features the five-time ICC Umpire of the Year, Simon Taufel. The tournament is set to take place from January 13 to February 12, 2023. It will be held across three venues in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah.
Joining Taufel on the umpiring team will be a number of other distinguished officials. As named, the list comprises Akbar Ali Khan, Alex Wharf, Leslie Reifer, Martin Saggers, Richard Kettleborough, Rod Tucker, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, and Shiju Mannil. Taufel and Roshan Mahanama will also serve as match referees. In addition to their officiating duties, Taufel will umpire the opening match of the tournament. It will be played between Dubai Capitals and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders on January 13.
The DP World ILT20 will feature six franchise teams comprising over 100 international and 24 UAE-based players. The franchises are the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, and Sharjah Warriors. The league will be played in a 34-match format across top-class cricket facilities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Fans can expect to see some of the biggest names in the sport. Some of the big names are Andre Russell, Robin Uthappa, Alex Hales, Shimron Hetmyer, Trent Boult, and Marcus Stoinis.
Mubashir Usmani glad to have experienced match officials
Mubashshir Usmani, General Secretary of Emirates Cricket, said it was important to ensure that the tournament adhered to international standards. He urged that they were pleased to have a group of experienced international match officials for the first season. Taufel added that he was excited to be a part of the new league. He hopes it would inspire more people in the UAE to get involved in match officiating. As part of the match officials panel, representative umpires from the UAE and select individuals with domestic-level umpiring experience will gain valuable exposure to the league.
Where to watch ILT20?
The DP World ILT20 will be broadcast live on ZEE’s linear channels, and digital platform. Moreover, people can also enjoy on various channels in the UAE and the Middle East and North Africa region. The tournament is organized by the Emirates Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council (ICC). It also has great support from the Dubai Sports Council, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and Sharjah Sports Council. The DP World Group is the title sponsor.
