On the 17th November, the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF) hosted a celebratory event to mark the landmark partnership with the DP World International League (ILT20) in Riyadh. The Saudi Times was invited and spoke to key individuals to understand the scope of the announcement and the reverberations it had both in the GCC and internationally.
The partnership between the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation and the DP World ILT20 marks one of the most eventful developments in Gulf cricket in recent years, signaling the Kingdom’s emergence as a serious player in the region’s fast-growing cricket landscape. By formally integrating Saudi Arabia into one of the world’s leading franchise T20 leagues, the agreement sets the stage for a new era of professional opportunities, infrastructure investment, and regional ambition.
Saudi Arabia Targets 2026-27 for First ILT20 Matches as Cricket Push Accelerates
Preparations are underway for Saudi Arabia to host its first ever DP World ILT20 fixtures as early as late 2026 or early 2027, following the partnership between the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF) and the UAE-based T20 league. The move signals one of the Kingdom’s most ambitious steps yet in its rapidly expanding sports sector and a major moment for cricket in the wider Gulf.
Speaking to The Saudi Times, HRH Prince Saud bin Mishal Al Saud, Chairman of Cricket Saudi, said the timeline aligns with the construction of a new cricket stadium in Riyadh, set to become a flagship venue for major international events.
“The ILT20 season traditionally falls between December and February, and for Saudi Arabia, we’re targeting late 2026 or early 2027 to host our first fixtures,” Prince Saud said. “We’re working closely with DP World ILT20 to ensure that once matches come to the Kingdom, they meet top international standards and deliver a great experience for fans.”
Building Pathways From Grassroots to Professional Cricket
A central pillar of the partnership is a genuine professional pathway for Saudi players – something the federation views as essential for long-term impact.
“Development tournaments are only one part of the pathway,” Prince Saud explained. “Our aim is to ensure that talent moves from the grassroots into structured national competitions and, ultimately, into high-performance environments.”
Under the new agreement, Saudi players selected by ILT20 teams will train and compete alongside top international professionals – and will be contracted and paid as full professionals, a breakthrough for local cricket.
The six Saudi Arabian players featured in DP ILT20 Season 4 are Usman Najeeb (Dubai Capitals), Abdul Salam Khan (Sharjah Warriorz), Zain Ul Abidin (MI Emirates), Abdul Manan Ali (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), Faisal Khan (Desert Vipers), and Ishtiaq Ahmad (Gulf Giants). Season 4 began Tuesday 2 December, marking the first step of the grassroots program.
Prince Saud added that SACF is introducing year-round training programs, elite coaching, and a more robust domestic structure to ensure these opportunities mature into sustainable, long-term careers.
Major Infrastructure Push Underway
The partnership includes significant infrastructure funding from the DP World ILT20 to upgrade cricket venues, practice facilities, and technical systems across the Kingdom. The investment covers international-standard pitches, broadcast-quality infrastructure, and high-performance training environments.
Alongside this, a new privately funded cricket stadium in Riyadh is already under construction and will become a key host venue for future ILT20 fixtures. Private-sector involvement is an intentional part of the Kingdom’s long-term strategy, Prince Saud said.
“We already have private-sector investment in place – including Arkan Sports in Riyadh, an academy and practice facility that forms an important part of our talent pathway. This reflects our strategy of enabling the private sector to play a central role in the growth of cricket in the Kingdom.”
Technical programs in umpiring, coaching, and performance development have also been progressing steadily since SACF’s establishment. The ILT20 partnership accelerates this push by bringing international expertise and modern training systems to Saudi cricket.
Prince Saud confirmed the combined public and private investment framework is being finalized, but described it as “substantial” and fully aligned with the Kingdom’s goal of building a sustainable, private-sector-enabled cricket ecosystem.
A Huge Step for Cricket in the GCC
Beyond its significance for Saudi Arabia itself, the SACF- ILT20 partnership is being viewed as a major milestone for cricket across the GCC.
What sets it apart is that this is the first time a major franchise T20 league is formally integrating Saudi Arabia into its competitive ecosystem.
If timelines hold, the Kingdom could see its first ILT20 games within two years – a major leap forward as cricket cements itself as one of the fastest-growing sports in Saudi Arabia and the region.
The Saudi Times continues to bring in-depth reports on the the sports sector in Saudi Arabia. Follow for more stories that shape the nation.
By Izabella Rekiel
