Saudi Arabia set to launch Dunes League T20 in October

Saudi Arabia is set to host its first franchise league later this year, with the Dunes League T20 due to launch in October. The league has been sanctioned by the Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation (SACF), and is expected to feature ‘legends’ who have retired from international cricket but remain active on the franchise circuit.

Saudi Arabia has been a major disruptor in the sporting world over the last five years as the oil-rich kingdom looks to diversify its economy, staging lucrative football, tennis and boxing events. The nation’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) also launched the breakaway LIV Golf tour, though has recently announced that it will withdraw funding at the end of this season.

There have been widespread rumours over the last three years that Saudi Arabia would disrupt cricket by launching a T20 league to rival the IPL, with further speculation last year about potential investment in a Grand Slam-style circuit of T20 leagues floated by the Australian Cricketers’ Association.

The six-team Dunes T20 League is planned to launch in October with matches played in Taif, near Jeddah. It has been developed in partnership with the South Asian Network, and two talent agencies: Unique Sports Group, whose clients include Jofra Archer, and Prolithic, who manage Abhishek Sharma. Prolithic’s Yuvraj Singh will act as the league’s ambassador.

The SACF initially announced provisional plans for the league late last year, and said that it was designed to put Saudi Arabia “on the global cricket map” and “develop Saudi talent”.

The league is expected to feature a maximum of four players who have played Full-Member international cricket in the last two years, thereby falling under the threshold that demands approval from the ICC. Top salaries could reach USD 100,000.

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