Andrew Russell, DP World ILT20 Development Tournament Director, and David White, CEO of DP World ILT20, hailed the competition's growing impact on UAE cricket and its emergence as a key platform for domestic players.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With each of the six DP World ILT20 franchises fielding a team, Russell highlighted the competition\u2019s prominence on the domestic circuit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHaving the franchises fully on board has lifted the prestige of the tournament. It has become the premier event in the domestic circuit and a great opportunity for players to show what they\u2019ve got to the franchise teams for possible selection,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He further stressed the tournament\u2019s value as a talent pipeline. \u201cThe franchises are getting a lot of information from the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament in terms of knowing who the UAE players are and who they want in their teams.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Players like Khuzaima Tanveer and Saghir Khan came through this platform, did well here, and earned the chance to play in the main event and show their abilities internationally. They are now not just on the radar of franchise teams but also of the UAE national setup. It\u2019s great to see, and it shows the domestic game in this country is very healthy,\u201d Russell noted.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The DP World ILT20 Development Tournament has also bolstered the UAE\u2019s talent pool. \u201cWhat we\u2019ve seen over the last few seasons is a lot of homegrown players coming through the development pathway. Compared to five or six years ago, the percentage is phenomenal. These are our players, the ones coming through initiatives like the schools' cup and other development endeavours, and it\u2019s very encouraging for the UAE\u2019s future,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Players like Khuzaima Tanveer and Saghir Khan came through this platform, did well here, and earned the chance to play in the main event and show their abilities internationally. They are now not just on the radar of franchise teams but also of the UAE national setup. It\u2019s great to see, and it shows the domestic game in this country is very healthy,\u201d Russell noted.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He also pointed to the tournament\u2019s growing regional influence. \u201cOur role is not only to develop cricket in the UAE but to act as a catalyst for the wider Gulf. Kuwait has launched its own development competition this year, with its players also entering the auction. It\u2019s a sign of how quickly the game is expanding in this part of the world,\u201d White added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n