The “Desert League T20” is expected to begin in October and will feature retired international players who remain active in franchise cricket
RIYADH: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-May 14th, 2026) Saudi Arabia is set to host its first franchise-based T20 cricket league later this year, marking a significant step in the country’s growing involvement in international sports, according to a cricket website report.
The “Desert League T20” is expected to begin in October and will feature retired international players who remain active in franchise cricket.
The league has reportedly been approved by the Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation.
According to the report, the tournament will feature six teams, with matches scheduled to be played in Taif.
Each squad is expected to include up to four players who have represented full member countries within the last two years.
The cricket website further stated that players in the league could earn up to $100,000 in salary, highlighting the financial scale of the competition.
Over the past few years, Saudi Arabia has increasingly positioned itself as a major player in global sports, hosting high-profile events in football, tennis, and boxing as part of its broader economic diversification strategy.
Reports of a Saudi-backed T20 league have been circulating for several years, with speculation that it could rival established competitions such as the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Last year, discussions also emerged around possible Saudi investment in a global T20 “Grand Slam”-style event proposed by the Australian Cricketers’ Association.
