A groundbreaking revelation has emerged in the cricketing World, after media reports claimed that Saudi Arabia is reportedly working on developing a high-profile T20 league modelled after tennis Grand Slams.
According to reports, Saudi Arabia’s secret international T20 league is being planned by an influential Australian cricketing personality. The project is being hailed as a significant step in the global expansion of cricket.
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The report states that the proposed league will feature eight teams, and the tournament format will be similar to tennis Grand Slams, where teams will play matches at four different venues throughout the year. This unique structure will also influence the way teams are selected and scheduled.
Saudi Arabia’s SRJ Sports Investments is set to be the primary financial backer of the league, with discussions taking place with the International Cricket Council (ICC) for over a year, as per reports.
The report claims that the idea has been in the works for more than a year and is spearheaded by former Australian all-rounder Neil Maxwell. Notably, Maxwell also manages Australian Test captain Pat Cummins and has previously been a board member of the Australian Cricketers’ Association and Cricket New South Wales.
A consortium of investors is already in place to fund the international league, though the league’s official name has not yet been disclosed, reports said.
Saudi Arabia is prepared to invest a staggering $500 million into the league. The move aligns with the country’s broader sports strategy, which has already seen massive investments in football, golf, Formula 1 racing, and its successful bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
SRJ Sports Investments, which is leading the cricket initiative, is headed by Danny Townsend, the former CEO of Australia’s professional leagues. Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is also involved in overseeing the project.
The league is expected to be played when no major ICC tournaments or major national T20 leagues, such as the IPL or BBL, are scheduled. However, reports said that the league will require formal approval from Cricket Australia and the ICC, with the final decision resting in the hands of ICC chairman Jay Shah.
This latest development signals Saudi Arabia’s increasing influence in global sports and could potentially reshape the landscape of franchise cricket.
