After Canada, the United Arab Emirates is also set to have their own international T20 cricket league. The Emirates Cricket Board has announced to unveil the league later this month.

The five team tournament will be one of its own kind as no franchise-based T20 league has ever had all-round structure. Each of the participating teams has to build a 16-member squad which will comprise of six international star players, two emerging players from ICC Full Member countries, three players from ICC Associate Member nations, two Junior Players, and three UAE cricketers.

The tournament is scheduled to take place between December and January. A total of 22 matches will be played in the 24-day-long competition.

“The UAE-owned tournament, the name of which will be unveiled in June, will make its debut in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah with five new franchise teams vying for the inaugural title in a 22 match format to be played over 24 days this December and January,” a statement by the Emirates Cricket Board read.

According to the governing body of cricket in UAE, six cricket boards of the ICC Full Member Nations (England, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, New Zealand, and the West Indies) have shown support for the upcoming tournament.

“Our firm aim is for this event to take the sport to all corners of the UAE and to develop cricket at a grassroots level initially in - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaima,” David East, CEO of the Emirates Cricket Board, said. “This will not be just another T20 tournament; it will be a true international festival of sport and the hottest cricket ticket in the UAE.”