Some of the biggest cricketing superstars got a feel of the phenomenal city of Dubai through an exotic yacht ride across the Dubai Marina in the lead-up to the exciting opening ceremony of the DP World International League T20.
Two players from each of the six franchises had a meet and greet with the DP World ILT20 trophy ahead of the month-long competition. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ Ali Khan and Paul Stirling, Desert Vipers’ Tom Curran and Ruben Trumpelmann, Dubai Capitals’ Joe Root and Robin Uthappa, Gulf Giants’ Shimron Hetmyer and Tom Banton, MI Emirates’ Will Smeed and Imran Tahir, and Sharjah Warriors’ Naveen-ul-Haq and Chris Woakes visited the iconic spots in the city – Ain Dubai and Atlantis, The Palm and posed for pictures with the scenic Dubai skyline at the background.
The DP World ILT20 will kick off with a grand opening ceremony at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday, 13 January 2023. Superstar Badshah and megastar Jason Derulo will be the leading acts during the glittering event, with ‘Champion’ DJ Bravo also set to put up a star performance on the night. Cricket fans have a fantastic opportunity to catch the glitzy opening ceremony.
Following the sensational opening ceremony, the Dubai Capitals will face off against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the opening match of the season.
Making its debut on January 13 (2023), the inaugural DP World ILT20 promises to be a high-octane competition with some of the greatest cricketing superstars on the planet set to make their way to the UAE to kick-off the league. The league will be played in a 34-match format across the UAE’s exemplary, world-class cricket facilities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
Franchise teams, comprising over 100 International and 24 UAE-based players, include Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Knight Riders Group), Desert Vipers (Lancer Capital), Dubai Capitals (GMR), Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline), MI Emirates (Reliance Industries), and Sharjah Warriors (Capri Global).
Photo : From Left to Right – Tom Banton (Gulf Giants), Tom Curran (Desert Vipers), Joe Root (Dubai Capitals), Chris Woakes (Sharjah Warriors), Naveen-ul-Haq (Sharjah Warriors), Shimron Hetmyer (Gulf Giants), Ali Khan (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), Robin Uthappa (Dubai Capitals), Paul Stirling (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), Will Smeed (MI Emirates), Imran Tahir (MI Emirates) and Ruben Trumpelmann (Desert Vipers) pose with the DP World ILT20 trophy.
