David White: ILT20 a boon for Associate Nations

Dubai: The DP World ILT20 Season 3 kicked off in style at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, marking another milestone in the UAE’s cricketing journey. With fans cheering and teams ready to shine, the league continues to position itself as a platform for nurturing talent and uniting cricket enthusiasts across the globe.

As the tournament unfolds, the spotlight is not only on the international stars gracing the field but also on the opportunities it provides for emerging players from the UAE and associate nations. With its unique structure and commitment to cricket development, the ILT20 is making waves as a platform for both local and global talent.

David White, CEO of the ILT20 League, highlighted the tournament’s significance in fostering cricket’s growth in the region. “This league is ICC-sanctioned, and the UAE is the first associate country to host such a league. It’s a vital part of the Emirates Cricket Board’s high-performance programme, helping raise the standard of cricket in the country,” White told Gulf News.

White also responded to recent comments from Graeme Smith, SA20 commissioner and former South African captain, who questioned the league’s model. Smith had suggested that leagues like ILT20 do not invest enough in local cricket development. The former captain’s comments came ahead of the six-team SA20, which began on Thursday with the dates in direct clash with the ILT20.

“We see ourselves as very different to the ILT20. We’re a South African league, with a majority of South African players and our ultimate goal is to benefit South African players. We’ve been built up against ILT20, so it’s very difficult for me to not come across like I’m bad-mouthing them,” said Smith at the captain’s day press conference in Cape Town on Wednesday.

“But I do feel like a league like that is not good for the game; that there’s that many international players required to build a team; there’s no investment back into local cricket. That is a challenge for the world game and something that needs to be managed going forward,” he added.

Countering this, White stated, “He clearly hasn’t looked deeper into what we are doing for the development of the game, the UAE, and the greater region. This league is a significant step forward for associate nations and is a key part of the Emirates Cricket Board’s high-performance programme. His comments are misplaced.”

White emphasised the league’s inclusivity and its impact on Associate Nations. “Players from countries like Nepal, Malaysia, the USA, Scotland, and the Netherlands participate in the league, which is fantastic. It’s not just about UAE players excelling on the international stage, but also about creating a platform for Associate Nations. No other league is doing that, and it’s something we’re very proud of,” he added.

With a wealth of home-grown talent, the UAE team enjoyed a remarkable 2024, securing four tournament victories: advancing to the next round of the Twenty20 World Cup Qualifiers after winning the Qatar round, qualifying for the Asia Cup for the first time in eight years, clinching the tri-series title in Namibia, and winning the ILT20 Gulf Championship last month. The senior team’s success also inspired the junior level, as the Under-19 team reached the Asia Cup final in 2024.

Two players from a pool of four must feature in every game, a requirement that White believes will soon expand. “I wouldn’t be surprised if more than two UAE players play in a game this year. Such is their performance; they were outstanding last year. It’s a natural progression and greatly benefits the UAE players,” said the 63-year-old former New Zealand opener, who once faced the legendary Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis in Tests.

White added, “The standard of the ILT20 Development Tournament is improving year on year. The UAE national team has reaped the benefits, qualifying for the Asia Cup after eight years.” Looking ahead, White revealed plans to involve more Associate Nations. “The ILT20 is good for the game globally, especially for associate nations. We aim to include more teams in the future,” he concluded.