The opening match of the eagerly awaited ILT20 took place at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium between the Gulf Giants and the Sharjah Warriors.
UAE’s Sharjah, January 19, 2024: The highly anticipated ILT20 got underway at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium with the first game between the Sharjah Warriors and the Gulf Giants, the reigning Season 1 winners, taking place on their home field. The match comprises world-class cricket players and cricketing titans competing against each other on the pitch. The opening game of ILT20 Season 2 is expected to be an exciting contest that highlights the finest T20 cricket action.
Khalid Al Zarooni, Chairman of ILT20, Mubashshir Usmani, General Secretary of the ECB, and Mr. Rahul Johri, President-Business, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), were present at the inauguration event. The DP World ILT20 commentary panel, which included Virender Sehwag, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Harbhajan Singh, and Waqar Younis, was also a highlight of the event. Ahmad Al Hosani, the first classical singer in the UAE and winner of the Best Live Singer Award, performed the national song during the inauguration.
The franchise-style competition is scheduled to continue until February 17, 2024, and it began with a grand opening ceremony at the storied Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Zee’s ten extensively disseminated and watched linear TV channels—&Pictures, &Pictures HD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema, Zee Zest, Zee Ganga, Zee Cinemalu HD, &Flix, &Flix HD, and Zee Zest HD—are airing the exciting tournament. The event will also be accessible on ZEE5, one of the top OTT platforms in India.
Addressing about the occasion, Mr. Rahul Johri, President of ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), stated, “The league promises an unforgettable experience with a stellar line-up of international cricket stars and intense competition between the franchise teams.” Using our linear TV channels and the ZEE5 platform, ZEE Entertainment is thrilled to be a part of ILT20 and to bring this cricketing extravaganza to millions of cricket fans.
Chris Jordan, a T20 death-over expert from England, and Dominic Drakes, a potent batsman from the West Indies, are leading the Gulf Giants’ attack. Together, they constitute a powerful side that hopes to retain their championship crown.
The Sharjah Warriors, on the other hand, have an equally impressive roster that includes the mysterious striker Niroshan Dickwella of Sri Lanka, the versatile all-rounder wizard Chris Woakes of England, and the outstanding pacer Dilshan Madhusanka of Sri Lanka. These players will all be instrumental in the Sharjah Warriors’ quest for T20 championship success.
ILT20 Season 2 will feature competition from six franchise teams, all striving to be the best. The Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline), MI Emirates (Reliance Industries), Dubai Capitals (GMR), Desert Vipers (Lancer Capital), Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Kolkata Knight Riders), and Sharjah Warriors (Capri Global) are among the teams.
Some of the biggest cricket talents in the world are on the star-studded roster for the tournament. Legendary players like David Warner, Dasun Shanaka, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sam Billings, David Willey, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Alex Hales, Tom Curran, Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, James Vince, Ambati Rayudu, Corey Anderson, Dwayne Bravo, and Trent Boult will all put on amazing performances for cricket fans.
