Saudi Arabia is set to enter franchise cricket with the Dunes T20 League, scheduled to launch in October.
Sanctioned by the Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation, the tournament features a mix of recently retired international stars and active franchise regulars, with former India great Yuvraj Singh serving as the official brand ambassador.
The six-team competition will be played in Taif, and each squad may include up to four players who have represented full ICC member nations within the last two years.
Players in the league could reportedly earn up to $100,000 in remuneration.
Saudi Arabia has emerged as a major force in the sports world, hosting high-profile and lucrative events in football, tennis, and boxing as part of its efforts to diversify its oil-dependent economy.
Saudi Arabia has gradually increased its presence in cricket, signing sponsorship deals with the International Cricket Council (ICC), hosting the IPL auction in 2024, and partnering with the UAE-based ILT20 league last year.
