Saudi Arabia has entered the realm of mainstream cricket by announcing a partnership with the International League T20 (ILT20). Any of the six franchises in the tournament must also include one Saudi player in their squad.

As part of this partnership, the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF) has sanctioned DP World ILT20—approved by the Emirates Cricket Board, as a sanctioned and licensed men’s and women’s T20 league, meaning matches could happen in Saudi Arabia later in the season.
Playing and variations player contracts are now entering the competition through an ILT20 statement. Beginning Wednesday with Season 4's Player Auction, a franchise must select at least one Saudi player. The pipeline follows a local cricket extravaganza organised in Saudi Arabia to create a new government-backed ecosystem for the game.

The ILT20 has, over the years, too many familiar sports figures to mention: Dwayne Bravo, Jonathan Trott, and David Warner are just a few.

"We are very proud to announce our partnership with the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation. Saudi Arabia is a key part of the Gulf region, and its commitment to developing cricket is inspiring," ILT20 Chairman Khalid Al Zarooni said.

Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation, Prince Saud Bin Mishal Al-Saud, pointed out that this initiative not only demonstrates his dedication to promoting the sport of cricket but also promises to promote engagement with fans and contribute to infrastructure or tourism development. "It also provides a platform for fan engagement within the Kingdom and opens up further avenues for developing the game across infrastructure and tourism...," he added.

ILT20 CEO David White praised the news, stating it is a significant step in expanding cricket in the Gulf region.

Season 4 of the DP World ILT20 will commence on December 2, 2025, with 34 matches planned, including the final on January 4, 2026.