Dubai, UAE – The highly anticipated DP World International League T20 (ILT20) Season 2 is set to kick off on Friday, 19 January, with a thrilling clash between defending champions Gulf Giants and Sharjah Warriors at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The tournament, the UAE’s biggest T20 event, promises even more excitement this season with the introduction of two new features: Super-Sub and Wildcard.
Super-Sub Feature: In a strategic twist, each team now has the option to substitute one player at any stage of the match after completing the first over of the innings. The Super-Sub can be introduced at the start of the second innings if desired, but once substituted, the player cannot rejoin the match. The Head Coach nominates the Super-Sub to the fourth umpire, and on-field umpires signal the change with wrists crossed above the head. The substitution can occur after the match begins, after an over, or in the case of a batter, at the fall of the wicket or retirement during the over.
Wildcard Feature: The Wildcard feature allows franchises to add up to two additional players beyond the original 22-player limit. This is optional, and if a team has reached the maximum $2.5 million salary spend, they can invest up to 10% of the salary cap, which is $250,000, on Wildcard players. Teams with remaining salary cap space can utilize that amount and an additional $250,000 if needed, staying within the Wildcard player spend limit. Wildcard players can be introduced at any stage during the season and are ineligible for further replacement or Wildcard players.
DP World ILT20 CEO David White expressed excitement about these additions, stating, “The Wildcard will help the teams strengthen their squads, while the Super-Sub provides a tactical option for in-match player replacement. Season 2 promises to elevate the excitement for both stadium spectators and viewers worldwide after the thrilling on-field action witnessed in Season 1.”
Cricket enthusiasts and fans from around the globe can anticipate a heightened level of competition and strategic maneuvers as the DP World ILT20 Season 2 unfolds with these innovative features.