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ILT20 CEO David White (Photo Credit: @ILT20Official on X)
DUBAI:
Former New Zealand batter David White, who served as the chief executive of
New Zealand Cricket
for over a decade, now holds the position of CEO for the
ILT20
.
In an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com, White shared insights on the upcoming third edition of the ILT20 in the UAE, the enthusiasm among fans, the inclusion of veteran pacer Tim Southee, and much more.
White, a former New Zealand cricketer, represented his country in two Tests and three ODIs during his playing career.
Excerpts:
As the CEO of the ILT20, how are the teams shaping up for the third edition, and what is the level of excitement across the UAE?
Season three brings massive excitement. We have a Bollywood-style pre-match opening ceremony followed by the opening match of the tournament. The tournament will be fantastic. The planning for the entire event is looking really good. We’re expecting great numbers, with a lot of interest and tremendous talent within the teams—not just the international players but also the UAE players. Additionally, I think the associate players will add great value. We have players from Nepal, Malaysia, Namibia, Scotland, and the Netherlands, offering a fantastic array of talent.
What sets this tournament apart from other cricket leagues?
I think what’s unique about the UAE is, firstly, the fantastic facilities, including three world-class stadiums. We’re here at the Dubai Stadium now, which is truly top-notch. The weather is great, and the conditions are excellent for cricket, with good wickets and practice facilities. Another unique aspect is that players don’t need to travel by plane. They’re all based within a compact area and travel by bus, which allows them to bring their families along. Additionally, having nine overseas players in each team makes this league exceptionally strong.
David, as a former New Zealand cricketer, how does it feel to have a New Zealand legend like Tim Southee participating in this tournament?
What a player! I’ve known Tim for many, many years. He’s not only a fantastic cricketer but also a wonderful person. He’ll be a great leader too, and it’s fantastic to have him here.
Can you share your thoughts on the involvement of Indian players in the ILT20?
You’d need to talk to the BCCI about that (laughs). We know Indian players don’t participate in leagues around the world, and that’s just how it is. Indian cricket has contributed a lot to the global game, and the IPL, along with the advent of T20s, has been transformative. But yes, for retired Indian players in the future—why not? If they’re still fit and able, I’m sure the franchise teams would be interested in them.