CSA confirms their intention of launching a new T20 league

Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Saturday confirmed its intention of launching a new Twenty20 League this year where eight franchise teams will be owned privately just like the cash-rich Indian Premier League. CSA presented their plans for the league earlier in the week and tendered a formal notice today inviting potential future team owners. Though the exact dates of the tournament are yet to be announced, but it is likely to be held from November and expected to continue till December.

Bangladesh will tour South Africa later in the year and their tour will end on 29th October and though the dates for the India tour hasn’t been finalised yet it is expected that the opening Test won’t begin before the Boxing Day. This means CSA will get a 6 to 7-week window during that time and they are likely to host the tournament then. It will also mean that the yet to be launched T20 league doesn’t coincide with the Big Bash League.

“Our vision is to drive the creation of a new T20 destination league in South Africa that would energise the sport of cricket in South Africa by creating a global platform for the best-in-class to perform and showcase their talent to a global audience,” CSA President Chris Nenzani was quoted as saying by the Cricbuzz. “We have received a very favourable response to our plans from the ICC and Member Boards and look to their support in our endeavour. We now look forward to another exciting chapter in the evolution of South African cricket and to the whole game benefitting from our new T20 Global League.”

The new Twenty20 tournament is expected to be city based and one city can have more than one team just like the BBL. While Pretoria, Durban, Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth is likely to have one team each, Cape Town and Johannesburg might have two teams for the inaugural competition. The national body will face several barriers and obstacles as it will have to play catch up with some more established leagues like the IPL and the BBL. While IPL is set to host their 10th edition, BBL just finished their 6th edition. Despite their drawbacks, CSA is confident of attracting good bids.

Also read: BCCI set to make profits despite administrative overhaul

“Early feedback from the marketplace suggests that there is tremendous interest in our Global Destination League from around the globe.” CSA’s Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

“We have taken our time and worked hard to reach the point where we are now ready to play in the global T20 arena. This new T20 Global Destination League offers great opportunities for investment in South Africa and South African cricket, and we are excited by the number of local and international superstars that will feature in the league. We are also confident that the window we have chosen will make it possible for franchisees to attract top class players to South Africa,” he concluded.