ILT20 Champions of previous seasons | Records, Stats & Awards
The International League T20 (ILT20) is one of the most exciting additions to the global cricketing calendar. Hosted annually in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), this franchise-based T20 cricket league showcases top-tier international and domestic talent. Since its inception in 2023, the ILT20 has become a marquee tournament, captivating cricket fans worldwide with its thrilling matches and impressive performances.
Overview of ILT20
The ILT20 is organized by the Emirates Cricket Board, making it one of the few high-profile leagues hosted in the Middle East. Its goal is to promote cricket in the UAE, provide a platform for young local players, and offer fans an opportunity to watch global cricket stars compete.
Key Features of ILT20
- Franchise-Based Tournament: Six teams represent different cities in the UAE.
- Star Power: Featuring international legends, emerging players, and local UAE talent.
- Broadcast Reach: Matches are broadcast globally, ensuring a vast audience.
- Unique Format: Double round-robin league followed by playoffs, including Qualifiers, an Eliminator, and a Final.
The league’s strategic scheduling ensures it doesn’t clash with other major T20 leagues, attracting players from around the globe during their off-season.
| Inception Year | 2023 |
| Administrator | Emirates Cricket Board |
| Format | Twenty20 |
| Tournament Structure | Double round-robin followed by playoffs |
| Number of Teams | 6 |
| Host Country | United Arab Emirates |
| Prize Money | Over USD 2.5 million |
| Current Champions | MI Emirates (2024) |
| Official Website | ILT20 Official Site |
ILT20 Champions of previous seasons
| Season | Winner | Runner-up | Final Venue | Final Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Gulf Giants | Desert Vipers | Dubai International Stadium | Gulf Giants won by 7 wickets |
| 2024 | MI Emirates | Dubai Capitals | Sharjah Cricket Stadium | MI Emirates won by 45 runs |
2023 ILT20 Season Highlights
The inaugural ILT20 season was held in January-February 2023. It set the tone for the league with high-octane cricket and close contests.
- Winner: Gulf Giants, led by a stellar performance from Chris Lynn and Chris Jordan, clinched the first title.
- Key Performances:
- Player of the Series: Chris Jordan (20 wickets).
- Most Runs: Alex Hales (469 runs), with remarkable consistency throughout the tournament.
- Memorable Match: Gulf Giants chased down 147 in the final against Desert Vipers with 8 balls to spare.
Awards
| Belt | Award | Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green | Most runs | Alex Hales (England) | Desert Vipers |
| White | Most wickets | Chris Jordan (England) | Gulf Giants |
| Black | Fastest 50* | James Vince (England) | Gulf Giants |
| Red | Most Valuable Player (MVP) | Chris Jordan (England) | Gulf Giants |
| Blue | Best United Arab Emirates Player | Muhammad Waseem | MI Emirates |
2024 Season Highlights
The second season, held in January-February 2024, built on the foundation laid in the previous year, showcasing even more thrilling encounters.
- Winner: MI Emirates dominated the season and lifted the trophy by defeating Dubai Capitals in a high-scoring final.
- Key Performances:
- Player of the Series: Sikandar Raza impressed with both bat and ball.
- Most Runs: James Vince (356 runs).
- Most Wickets: Fazalhaq Farooqi and Waqar Salamkheil (17 wickets each).
- Notable Matches:
- MI Emirates scored a record-breaking 241/3, the highest team total in ILT20 history.
Records and Statistics of Season 2024
Batting Records – Most Runs
| Player | Team | Inns | Runs | Ave | HS | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Vince (England) | Gulf Giants | 12 | 356 | 29.66 | 59 | 120.17 |
| Nicholas Pooran (West Indies) | Desert Vipers | 10 | 354 | 50.57 | 57* | 170.19 |
| Kusal Perera (Sri Lanka) | MI Emirates | 10 | 335 | 33.50 | 65 | 157.27 |
| Muhammad Waseem (UAE) | MI Emirates | 12 | 321 | 32.10 | 89* | 147.92 |
| Sam Billings (Australia) | Dubai Capitals | 12 | 320 | 32.00 | 67 | 140.35 |
Bowling Records – Most Wickets
| Player | Team | Matches | Wickets | Econ | BBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fazalhaq Farooqi (Afghanistan) | MI Emirates | 8 | 17 | 7.65 | 4/25 |
| Waqar Salamkheil (Afghanistan) | MI Emirates | 11 | 17 | 7.17 | 3/18 |
| Trent Boult (New Zealand) | MI Emirates | 12 | 16 | 8.13 | 3/14 |
| Scott Kuggeleijn (New Zealand) | Dubai Capitals | 8 | 13 | 9.43 | 4/17 |
| Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe) | Dubai Capitals | 13 | 13 | 6.31 | 3/21 |
End of Season Awards
| Belt | Award | Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green | Most runs | James Vince (England) | Gulf Giants |
| White | Most wickets | Waqar Salamkheil (Afghanistan) | MI Emirates |
| Black | Fastest 50 | Nicholas Pooran (West Indies) | MI Emirates |
| Red | Most Valuable Player (MVP) | Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe) | Dubai Capitals |
| Blue | Best UAE Player | Muhammad Waseem (UAE) | MI Emirates |
Best Players of All Seasons
| Category | 2023 Season | 2024 Season |
|---|---|---|
| Top Scorer | Alex Hales (469 runs) | James Vince (356 runs) |
| Top Wicket-taker | Chris Jordan (20 wickets) | Fazalhaq Farooqi (17 wickets) |
Other Important Records and Details
- Highest Team Total: MI Emirates scored 241/3 against Desert Vipers in 2023.
- Lowest Team Total: Sharjah Warriors were bowled out for 74 in 2024.
- Largest Victory Margin: MI Emirates won by 157 runs in 2023.
- Most Sixes in a Match: Nicholas Pooran hit a record-breaking 11 sixes in a single inning during the 2024 season.
- Unique Record: Sikandar Raza became the first player to achieve 300+ runs and 10+ wickets in a single season.
FAQs
When was the ILT20 established?
The ILT20 was established in 2023.
Which teams have won the ILT20 so far?
Gulf Giants won the inaugural season in 2023, and MI Emirates claimed the title in 2024.
What is the format of ILT20?
The league follows a double round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs.
Which player has scored the most runs in ILT20 history?
As of 2024, Alex Hales holds the record for the most runs in a single season with 469.
Who are the leading wicket-takers in ILT20?
Chris Jordan (20 wickets in 2023) and Fazalhaq Farooqi (17 wickets in 2024) are the leading bowlers across seasons.
Conclusion
The International League T20 (ILT20) has successfully established itself as a premier T20 league in just two seasons. Its combination of thrilling matches, star-studded lineups, and a global audience has solidified its reputation as a must-watch tournament. As the league grows, it promises to continue offering a platform for emerging talent and entertaining cricket fans worldwide.
