ILT20 Season 2 Date and Schedule Announced

The DP World International League T20 2024, also known as ILT20 Season 2, is set to be hosted by the Emirates Cricket Board in 2024. This follows the successful inaugural season of ILT20, which took place in January 2023. The league is scheduled to commence with its opening match on January 18, 2024, and is expected to conclude on February 18, 2024. The tournament will feature six franchises competing in a total of 34 matches, all held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The ILT20 squads consist of well-known franchises, including Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals, and Mumbai Indians, along with three additional teams from Adani Sportsline, Lancer Capitals, and Capri Global.

In a thrilling showdown, Gulf Giants emerged victorious, while Desert Vipers faced disappointment after a closely contested match. The players of the Giants celebrated their triumph with immense joy, and the entire support staff, team owners, and players joined in the on-field celebrations.

The victory was the result of a collective effort by the Giants. Colin de Grandhomme set the tone with an impressive spell during the powerplay, keeping the opposition’s scoring in check. Carlos Brathwaite followed suit, conceding only 19 runs and taking three crucial wickets. Qais Ahmed weaved a web around the Vipers’ batters, preventing them from accelerating in the middle overs. Chris Jordan showcased his expertise by delivering precise yorkers and change-up deliveries in the death overs. This combined bowling effort restricted the Vipers to a below-par score of 146.

In their pursuit of the target, the Giants faced an early setback when James Vince, who had been in good form, departed early. However, Chris Lynn took charge of the chase and anchored it with an unbeaten 72-run innings.

Defending a modest total was always going to be a challenge for the Vipers. The Giants effectively neutralized the threat posed by Hasaranga, who had been timing the ball beautifully. They used the sweep shot to great effect, denying him wickets. As Lynn began to accelerate, Tom Curran struggled and resorted to bowling a series of full tosses, which facilitated the Giants’ victory. Hetmyer, a standout performer, wasted no time in making an impact, scoring 25 off just 13 balls, while Erasmus supported Lynn.

The Vipers found themselves outwitted by a deserving championship-winning team. Despite the loss, credit was due to Hasaranga, who read the situation well and played a fluent innings to give his team a fighting chance. His performance throughout the ILT20 demonstrated his prowess in T20 cricket.

Players and team members expressed their joy and satisfaction following the victory. Hetmyer, who played a pivotal role in the chase, expressed his gratitude for the support of his family and the comfortable atmosphere within the team. Brathwaite praised Hetmyer’s performance and emphasized the importance of his contribution to the win. Qais Ahmad expressed his happiness about his bowling performance and the trust placed in him by the coach and captain during the challenging final.

The ILT20 Season 2 proved to be a thrilling and competitive tournament, with Gulf Giants emerging as the champions, showcasing their excellence in T20 cricket.