DP World ILT20 Partners with Kuwait Cricket to Expand Game Across the Gulf
In a landmark move to expand cricket’s reach in the Gulf, the DP World International League T20 (ILT20) has signed a strategic partnership with the Kuwait Cricket Board aimed at developing local talent and elevating the sport’s profile in Kuwait.
The agreement, formalized during a signing ceremony at Dubai International Stadium, will see the launch of domestic tournaments in Kuwait, such as the ILT20 UAE Development Tournament, providing local players with the opportunity to be scouted by major ILT20 franchises.
The collaboration is a significant step in the league’s broader mission to promote cricket across the region. In the future, the DP World ILT20 also plans to host official matches in Kuwait, further embedding the sport into the national sports calendar.
Khalid Al Zarooni, Chairman of ILT20 and Vice Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, emphasized Kuwait’s pivotal role in this vision, noting the country’s enthusiasm for the sport and its potential to become a regional cricketing hub.
Kuwait Cricket President Haider Farman hailed the partnership as a proud milestone, marking Kuwait as the first country to be officially recognized as a strategic partner of the ILT20.
He emphasized the agreement’s role in promoting cricket’s growth both within Kuwait and across the GCC, particularly ahead of major regional events like the Asian Games in Qatar (2030) and Saudi Arabia (2034). The partnership, he said, will help integrate more Kuwaiti nationals into the sport — as players, coaches, and officials — while also leveraging cricket as a cultural and diplomatic bridge.
CEO of ILT20 David White commended Kuwait Cricket’s strategic foresight, highlighting the transformative power of high-level exposure for emerging talent. Citing the recent success of the UAE national team, which benefited from ILT20 platforms, White expressed confidence that Kuwaiti players will follow a similar trajectory as they gain experience alongside world-class coaches and international competition.
Sajid Ashraf, Director General of Kuwait Cricket, described the collaboration as a dream realized — one that paves the way for full-time professional careers in cricket for Kuwaiti players. He also pointed to the commercial opportunity for local Kuwaiti businesses to connect with a vast and passionate cricket-loving community, noting the potential for regional brand expansion.
As anticipation builds, the cricket community eagerly awaits the launch of the ILT20 Development Tournament in Kuwait, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Gulf cricket.
Meanwhile, Season 4 of the DP World ILT20 will officially kick off on Tuesday, 2 December 2025 — coinciding with UAE National Day — and conclude on Sunday, 4 January 2026, featuring six teams in a 34-match competition.
