Pakistan ILT20 Host: League Considers Matches in the Country Soon

Pakistan has emerged as a possible future host for International League T20 (ILT20) matches. The indication came from ILT20 Chief Executive Officer David White, who said hosting matches in Pakistan could be considered in the future.

Also Read: BBL|15 Season Guide Schedule, Stars, Streaming and Format

Speaking in the United Arab Emirates, White said the league has strong relations with the Pakistan Cricket Board. He noted his long-standing connection with Pakistan cricket and expressed optimism about future cooperation.

Strong Historical and Professional Ties With Pakistan ILT20 host

David White’s connection with Pakistan cricket dates back more than three decades. During a tour in 1990, White played two Test matches and three One-Day Internationals in Pakistan. That series proved memorable, as his international playing career concluded during the tour, largely due to the formidable bowling attacks of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.

Despite that challenging experience as a player, White has maintained a long-standing respect and professional relationship with Pakistan cricket. His familiarity with the country’s cricket culture and talent base continues to influence his positive outlook toward Pakistan’s involvement in international leagues like the ILT20.

Relationship Between ILT20 and PCB

White emphasized that the ILT20 enjoys strong relations with the Pakistan Cricket Board. This relationship, he noted, provides a solid foundation for future cooperation, including the possibility of hosting league matches in Pakistan.

Pakistan’s successful hosting of major international events in recent years has strengthened its case as a reliable venue for global tournaments. While the ILT20 is currently based in the UAE, White’s remarks suggest that expansion beyond traditional venues is part of the league’s long-term vision.

Pakistani Players’ Growing Presence in ILT20

Pakistani cricketers are already making a notable impact in the ILT20. White confirmed that several Pakistani players are currently part of the Desert Vipers squad, including Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, Usman Tariq, Hasan Nawaz, and Zafar Gohar.

He clarified that player selection decisions are made entirely by individual team managements, without interference from the league’s administration. However, he praised the contribution of Pakistani players, describing their presence as significant and valuable to the competition.

White expressed confidence that Pakistani representation in the league will increase in the coming years, reflecting both the depth of talent in Pakistan and the league’s openness to high-quality players from the country.

Professional League Structure and Global Development

According to White, the ILT20 is being run on professional lines with a clear focus on regional and global cricket development. Each team follows a structured composition model, consisting of eight overseas players, two Emirati players, and one associate nation player in the playing XI.

This approach is designed to strike a balance between elite international talent and local player development. White said the model has proven beneficial for ICC associate nations and is contributing positively to the broader growth of the game worldwide.

ILT20 Season 4: Progress and Stability

ILT20 Season 4 concluded on January 4 at the Dubai International Stadium and marked an important step forward for the league. One of the key achievements was the avoidance of a major scheduling conflict with South Africa’s SA20 league, which is widely viewed as ILT20’s primary competitor.

Although there was a brief overlap when SA20 began on December 26, ILT20 still enjoyed a relatively clear window. White described the season as successful, highlighting the strong quality of players and improved scheduling strategy.

Clearer Window and Future Planning

White explained that the league intentionally avoided the traditional February–March window due to the T20 World Cup, opting instead to start earlier in the season. This decision, he said, paid off.

Despite minor clashes with the Big Bash League and SA20, the clearer window has helped ILT20 attract top-level talent. White indicated that Season 5 is also likely to be held around the same time, though a final decision has yet to be made.

Also Read: Bangladesh Requests ICC to Shift T20 World Cup Matches

With South Africa expected to host traditional Boxing Day and New Year Tests next year, significant scheduling conflicts are unlikely, further strengthening ILT20’s position in the global calendar.

Regional Expansion Beyond the UAE

ILT20’s ambitions extend beyond the UAE. White expressed satisfaction with the league’s partnerships with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, describing the tournament as a platform to help develop cricket across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

He said that, in the future, the league would like to explore hosting matches in these regions, further expanding its geographical reach and audience base.

Reducing Overseas Dependence and Strengthening Local Core

The league has faced criticism in the past for featuring too many overseas players. Addressing this, ILT20 reduced the number of overseas internationals per playing XI from nine to eight in Season 4, while increasing regional representation.

This change has already shown positive results. UAE players and associate nation cricketers were among the standout performers of the season, reinforcing the league’s development-focused strategy.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s emergence as a potential host for ILT20 matches reflects the country’s growing credibility as a hub for international cricket. With strong PCB relations, increasing Pakistani player participation, and a clear regional development strategy, the ILT20 continues to evolve as a major force in global T20 cricket.

As the league looks toward future seasons, Pakistan’s role—both as a talent supplier and possible host nation—appears set to grow, strengthening cricket ties across South Asia and the Gulf region.