Saudi Arabia want to set up world’s richest T20 cricket league

The kingdom of Saudi Arabia wants to launch the world’s richest T20 cricket league and they have held discussions with IPL owners and officials about it as well.

Saudi Arabia’s relentless investment into sport doesn’t show signs of stopping any time soon. After holding Formula 1 races, launching a breakaway rebel Liv Golf circuit, bringing Cristiano Ronaldo to Al Nassr, owning Newcastle United in the Premeir League, they are now turning their sights towards cricket and want to acquire an important position in the sport given its rising global popularity.

It has been reported that officials from Saudi Arabia are preparing to create their own form of a T20 cricket league, which is being labelled as the ‘world’s richest cricket league.’ They have also tabled several discussions with owners and investors in the Indian Premier League with the aim of launching the tournament as soon as possible in the gulf nation.

It has been reported that talks have been going on for nearly a year. However, before any solid progress can happen, Saudi Arabia need to secure an official sanction from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

ICC chairman Greg Barclay has confirmed Saudi Arabian interest in cricket, stating that "cricket would work quite well for Saudi Arabia" given their advance into sport more generally.

Saudi oil giant Aramco are also primary investors in both ICC and BCCI.

"If you look at other sports they've been involved in, cricket is something I imagine would be attractive to them," he said. "Given their advance into sport more generally, cricket would work quite well for Saudi Arabia

"They're pretty keen to invest in sport, and given their regional presence, cricket would seem a pretty obvious one to pursue," Barclay added.

The chairman of the Saudi Arabian Cricket Foundation Prince Saud bin Mishal Al-Saud has mentioned that the aim is to create a sustainable industry for locals and expats living in the Kingdom and make Saudi Arabia a global cricketing destination.

"Our aim is to create a sustainable industry for locals and expats living in the Kingdom and make Saudi Arabia a global cricketing destination," Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation chairman Prince Saud bin Mishal Al-Saud told Arab News last month.

Franchises in the IPL - Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, and Lucknow Super Giants - already own teams or are involved in overseas T20 leagues such as in UAE, West Indies, South Africa, and the USA.

However, BCCI doesn’t allow Indian players to participate in overseas leagues in order to protect IPL’s brand value and that regulation is expected to hold for the new Saudi league as well.

“No current Indian players will be taking part in any of the leagues, but as far as franchise participation is concerned, we can’t stop them, a top BCCI official told The Indian Express. “It’s their individual decision. We have seen IPL franchises going to South Africa or Dubai and we can’t say no. It’s their choice to have their team in any of the leagues around the world.”

Moreover, the presence of Saudi Arabia is expected to grow in stature in cricket considerably. There’s a possibility of holding the Asia Cup there, or even a few rounds of the IPL in the future.