ILT20 has a huge number of viewers: Mubashir Usmani
The secretary general of the Emirates Cricket Board, Mubashir Usmani, is optimistic about the present and future of the International Twenty20 League in the United Arab Emirates. In an interview, he discusses his initial reaction to the event, opinions from various parties involved, the perks available to spectators, and the potential effects on the UAE national team.
It’s a feeling of immediate, overwhelming happiness and huge pride in the group of people who have worked so hard to get us here.
how the initial reactions of the franchises and broadcaster, who have both invested heavily in the event, have been.
Upbeat, reassuring, and encouraging. Having partners who share your vision and have solid commercial skills and insight is really rewarding. They’ve put in both time and effort, in the form of well-seasoned tools and methods, in addition to money. The league’s planning and strategy group often communicate with the various parties involved to evaluate and execute efficient and timely strategies for making the first season a smashing success for all parties involved.
Do the high-profile owners, such as SRK, Adani, Ambani, and the Glazers, enjoy the way things have been going so far?
In addition to their participation in the league’s proactive strategy and planning committee talks, the league’s franchise club owners have expressed satisfaction with the league’s introduction, as well as the delivery and coverage (broadcast and media) of the first two games.
There were reportedly 1.5 million people tuning in to Zee Five to see the opening ceremony and the match, but this level of interest was not reflected in attendance. To that end, what are your thoughts?
Our worldwide broadcaster, Zee, and our franchise partners are pleased with the league’s early success, and we are thrilled by the enthusiastic response to the broadcasts.
We are confident in attracting good attendance as the league progresses because the United Arab Emirates is home to a large number of expats who count cricket as a favourite sport, the UAE has a long history of successfully hosting some of the biggest T20 tournaments, including last year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, and some of the highest-profile players and franchise-names in the sport.
In the days ahead, what can we anticipate?
Many exciting new programmes and events, suitable for both kids and their parents who enjoy cricket, will soon be introduced to the UAE’s cricket enthusiasts. With clubs vying for a better standing in the league standings, the competition is sure to heat up. This means that cricket fans at home and abroad will be treated to a truly mouthwatering feast thanks to the high calibre of the production and broadcast.
The most pressing issue is how you compare to SA20 in terms of competition. Was this collision inevitable, and will there be different timing next year?
We are optimistic that we can make an impact on spectators at the three world-class stadiums and on viewers throughout the world, despite the fact that this window is jam-packed with a lot of T20 franchises and all-format bilateral cricket.
While the period of January 13th to February 12th (2023) that we have secured is ideal for playing in the UAE, we will, through our strategy committee and partners, evaluate and try to minimize additional League-date clashes to ensure the best possible conditions for our teams.
It took IPL owners a full decade to break even. So, what do you think about ILT20?
Each of our owners and stakeholders recognizes and approves of our attainable business and strategy model.
In the end, everyone agrees that it will be beneficial to the growth of cricket in the UAE. How long do you give yourself as European Central Bank president to foresee this happening?
This plan is meant to be an ever-evolving one. It’s worth noting that the UAE’s men’s cricket team has participated in multiple ICC T20 World Cups, with Karthik Meiyappan of the Sharjah Warriors becoming the tournament’s first player to record a hat trick; and the UAE’s under-19 women’s cricket team is currently competing in the inaugural ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, where they won their opening match against Scotland.
Because of the league’s dedication, money will be utilized to support central contracts for the UAE women’s squad and cover the expense of a full-time women’s development officer, laying the groundwork for the next level of success for our men’s team.
