Saudi Arabia approaches IPL owners to set up ‘World’s richest T20 league’ in the country

The Indian Premier League (IPL) remains the most lucrative and richest T20 league in the world. Be it in terms of finances it involves, the participation of world-class players, or the presence on social media, there is no other league that comes close to the IPL.

However, things can be changed soon as Saudi Arabia has asked IPL owners to set up a T20 League in the country bigger and richer than IPL. Saudi Arabia has already invested heavily in sports like Football and Formula 1 and now eyeing the game of cricket.

Currently, the Indian Cricket Board doesn’t allow its players to participate in other T20 Leagues than IPL. However, a proposal from the Saudi Arabian government over a new T20 league being set up there could see the Indian board change its stance on the matter.

As per a report in The Age, there have been talks on the same subject for more than a year. However, the league would be required to get sanctioned by the Apex Cricket Council. Not too long ago, Greg Barclay, the chairman of the council had confirmed the interest of Saudi Arabia in cricket.

‘Cricket would seem a pretty obvious one to pursue’ – Barclay

“If you look at other sports they’ve been involved in, cricket is something I imagine would be attractive to them. Given their advance into sport more generally, cricket would work quite well for Saudi Arabia,” said Barclay.

“They’re pretty keen to invest in sport, and given their regional presence, cricket would seem a pretty obvious one to pursue,” he further added.

“Our aim is to create a sustainable industry for locals and expats living in the Kingdom and make Saudi Arabia a global cricketing destination,” Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation chairman Prince Saud bin Mishal Al-Saud told Arab News last month.

Reportedly, some representatives of the Saudi government and businesses have been spotted around India’s cricketing activities, looking to get the IPL owners and the Indian Cricket Board itself into their planned cricket league which would stand neck-to-neck with the IPL in terms of financial prowess.