ILT20 and MCC Join Forces to Promote the Spirit of Cricket
Celebrating Cricket Values in the UAE
Dubai (UAE), November 10: The International League T20 (ILT20) has teamed up with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) to honor the 'Spirit of Cricket' during the upcoming tournament in the UAE, as part of MCC's ongoing mission to promote cricket's core values worldwide.
At the end of the tournament, a 'Spirit of Cricket Award' will be given to either one of the six participating teams or an individual who exemplifies these values throughout the competition.
MCC, acting as the Guardian of the Laws of Cricket, aims to spread the message of the 'Spirit of Cricket' globally. By celebrating the sport in the UAE and educating players, the club hopes to enhance awareness and appreciation of these principles.
After introducing this award last year, MCC has collaborated with ICC Europe to present similar accolades at three ICC Europe Men’s Sub Regional World Cup Qualification events earlier this year.
The ILT20, now in its fifth season, features six teams and will run from Saturday, November 21, to Sunday, December 20, culminating in the final. Matches will be held at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Dubai International Stadium, and Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
The Desert Vipers are the reigning champions, with previous titles held by Gulf Giants (Season 1), MI Emirates (Season 2), and Dubai Capitals (Season 3). The tournament also includes Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and Sharjah Warriorz among its 34 matches.
This season boasts a lineup of international stars, including Babar Azam, Liam Livingstone, David Miller, Rashid Khan, Heinrich Klaasen, Faf du Plessis, Nicholas Pooran, Phil Salt, Alex Hales, Tim Seifert, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Tariq, and Sunil Narine.
Rob Lynch, MCC's Director of Cricket and Operations, remarked, “MCC views franchise leagues as exemplars of playing the game correctly—competing fiercely yet fairly, and enjoying the sport. With many players being international teammates and rivals, these tournaments can inspire better player conduct across cricket.”
“The Spirit of Cricket initiative is led by MCC, and we are excited to collaborate with the DP World ILT20 to present this award at the tournament's conclusion,” he added.
Mike Fordham, Interim Chief Operating Officer of ILT20, expressed, “Partnering with cricket's esteemed Marylebone Cricket Club is a privilege. The DP World ILT20 has evolved into a premier cricket tournament, attracting a global audience and featuring some of the world's best players. We take pride in being one of the most international T20 leagues, with participants from 19 cricketing nations this season.”
“The tournament consistently showcases high-quality, competitive cricket. Our matches are played in the right spirit, maintaining cricket's traditional values at the forefront,” he stated.
“The collaboration with MCC significantly enhances the league's value and aligns perfectly with the ethos of cricket at the DP World ILT20. We eagerly anticipate the first Spirit of Cricket Award and look forward to working closely with MCC to uphold the true essence of the game,” he concluded.