A number of association cricket’s highest-profile players have signed up for next year’s International League T20 (ILT20), played in the United Arab Emirates in January. Players are drawn from across the associate landscape, including Nepal, Scotland, Namibia and the Netherlands.
The ILT20 will have six franchise teams, playing a total of 34 matches between the 6th January and 12th February in the United Arab Emirates. Each franchise can have a squad of up to 18 players, four of whom must be domestic players. Of the 14 overseas players, two more must be from other associated countries.
Six franchises have announced their overseas signings over the past week. Associate signings include three players from Namibia and the Netherlands, two from Scotland and one each from Nepal, the USA and Oman.
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The first two to announce their signings was Mumbai Indians Emirates. The side, owned by IPL franchise Mumbai Indians, signed Scottish seamer Brad Wheal and bass de Leede from the Netherlands.
Two more of the ILT20 franchises are affiliates of IPL teams. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – part of the Kolkata Knight Riders group – signed Brandon Glover and Ali Khan. Khan continues his association with the Knight Riders group, having previously signed for their franchises in Kolkata and Trinidad and Tobago. Ireland’s Paul Stirling was also included in the team.
The third team supported by IPL is Dubai Capitals, owned by Delhi Capitals. Dubai signed Dutch seamer Fred Klaasen along with Scotland opener George Munsey. The squad also included two signings from Zimbabwe: Blessing Muzarabani and Sikander Raza.
Nepalese superstar Sandeep Lamichhane added another side to his long list of exclusive teams. The infantry joined the Desert Vipers, along with Namibian sailor Ruben Trumplemann. Trumplemann was one of three Namibian signings following their successful T20 World Cup appearance. All-rounder JJ Smit signed for Sharjah Warriors, along with Oman’s Bilal Khan. Both players got their first major T20 contracts.
However, the signings were not without controversy. Along with David Weise, the Gulf Giants signed Wayne Madsen as their second outfielder. Born in South Africa before moving to England and requalifying as a local through citizenship, Madsen has an Italian passport through inheritance. However, the all-rounder has never represented the country through which he qualifies as an ‘associate player’ at any level.
Arrangements for the selection of domestic players have not yet been announced.
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