The Indian IPL, said to be the richest tournament that offers the best financial offerings to players, is to be rivalled by the newest T20 showbiz format in the form of an IL-T20 event in the United Arab Emirates from January 13 to end on February 12.
The top players listed can earn as much as 450,000 US dollars each or Rs. 165 million in Sri Lanka money.
Sri Lankan cricketers Dasun Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva have been touted to be among a star cast of players lined up and they include Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Trent Boult, Alex Hales, Moeen Ali and Sikandar Raza.
There will be as many as 34 games and the teams lined up are the Desert Vipers, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai Capitals and Sharjah Warriors.
The IL-T20 also coincides with several other T20 leagues that include tournaments in South Africa, Australia, Pakistan and Bangladesh.