UAE announces new ‘D20’ tournament, T20 action starts Sunday

Following the introduction of a T10 tournament, the Emirates Cricket Board has announced a new addition to the UAE’s domestic calendar in the form of the Emirates Domestic ‘D20’ tournament. 

The tournament will be sponsored by Dream 11 who earlier this year also became the title sponsors of the Indian Premier League whilst the sports portal SKY247.net will be another key partner for the tournament. Therefore, the tournament will be known as the ‘Dream 11 D20’ tournament powered by SKY247.net. 

The tournament is scheduled to start on the 6th of December and will see six teams compete for the title over the course of 33 games with the final scheduled to take place on the 24th December 2020. All of the tournament’s matches will be played at the Dubai International Stadium and will be live-streamed across the globe through the ECB utilising varied streaming and social media platforms. 

When talking about the tournament, Khalid Al Zarooni, Vice Chairman Emirates Cricket Board, said ‘Following on from our successful hosting of the Emirates D10 tournament during July and August of this year, it is my pleasure to announce that the Emirates Cricket Board has finalised a domestic D20 (20-over) tournament. This initiative is an integral step in promoting and developing the sport in the UAE … matches will be witnessed by UAE Cricket’s Director of Cricket, Robin Singh as well as by members of our National Selection Committee with a view of consideration for future selection (to represent the UAE). Our thanks goes to ITW Consulting, as partners of both our D10 and now our D20 tournament, their continued commitment to promoting and highlighting our domestic talent is exceptionally encouraging and we are excited to, through them, take our talents to the cricket-loving world through various streaming services’. 

Vivek Chandra, Director, ITW Consulting, commented ‘UAE Cricket is seeing a positive change and we are committed towards strengthening the Board’s vision of being a Full Member in the coming future. Emirates D10 had a great success, and we are sure Dream11 Emirates D20 would also be a stepping stone towards a sustainable domestic structure’.

Mubashshir Usmani, Secretary General Emirates Cricket presented that the ‘Emirates Cricket’s domestic tournament portfolio continues to become a sustainable pathway for the growth and development of our game. Our thanks are extended to our Councils and affiliates for their continued support.” “While we are still facing uncertain times, we will review spectator attendance as we move through the tournament’. 

The tournament is expected to see an exciting combination of the UAE’s more experienced players along with the UAE’s young exciting talent. 

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