ILT20 2025 dates confirmed, will clash with BBL, SA20 & BPL

The upcoming third edition of the ILT20 is set to overlap with several major cricket leagues early next year. Scheduled from January 11 to February 9, 2025, this six-team franchise-based league in the UAE coincides closely with the SA20, which runs from January 9 to February 8. Concurrently, the Big Bash League (BBL) will start on December 15 and end on January 27, while the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is slated from December 30 to February 7. New Zealand’s Super Smash will also occur from December 26 to February 2.

Last season, the BBL experienced a significant departure of international players due to the overlapping schedule with the ILT20, which commenced on January 19. This enabled some foreign players to participate in the majority of the BBL season before departing for the UAE.

This season will present similar scheduling conflicts for players. For instance, David Warner will play the entire BBL season, including serving as captain for Sydney Thunder, which restricts his availability for the Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 until at least January 17. Depending on the Thunder’s performance, his arrival could be delayed further if they reach the finals.

Conversely, Lockie Ferguson will commence the season with Sydney Thunder under Warner’s captaincy before joining the Desert Vipers in the ILT20. Other players facing similar dilemmas include Jake Fraser-McGurk, Matthew Wade, Chris Jordan, and Shai Hope, who are contracted with teams in both leagues.

The ILT20 boasts several high-profile players who have been retained, including Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, David Warner, Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, and Nicholas Pooran. Additionally, Jason Roy, Fakhar Zaman, and Matthew Wade are preparing for their debut season in the league.

The ILT20 tournament will feature a total of 34 matches, with the grand finale scheduled at Dubai International Stadium. Match venues include fifteen games at Dubai International Stadium, eleven at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium, and eight in Sharjah. Weekday evening games will start at 6:30 PM, with weekend games beginning at 6 PM. Double-header weekends will feature afternoon matches starting at 2 PM.

In response to the crowded cricket calendar, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has shifted the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to an April-May window to minimise clashes with other tournaments, although this rescheduling will coincide with the Indian Premier League (IPL).