Saudi Arabia has dismissed recent reports claiming the country intends to launch a cricket league that would rival the Indian Premier League (IPL), one of the world’s richest and most prestigious sporting events. His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Mishaal Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF), unequivocally refuted the rumors, clarifying that there are no such plans to establish a high-profile cricket league.
Speaking to Indian reporters at the IPL auction in Jeddah, Prince Saud bin Mishaal addressed the speculation, stating, “That is not correct,” firmly denying any possibility of Saudi Arabia investing in or launching a new cricket competition. He further elaborated, dismissing the notion of Saudi-backed investment in the IPL, calling it “not true.”
The reports that sparked the controversy suggested that the Kingdom, backed by its substantial oil wealth, was considering an ambitious project to create a cricket league featuring international players. These claims echoed Saudi Arabia’s recent sporting ventures, including the high-profile LIV Golf Tour and its growing investments in football. However, Prince Saud clarified that such plans were far from materializing in the cricket arena.
The Saudi prince pointed out that the launch of a competing league would be challenging due to recent regulations by the International Cricket Council (ICC). These rules limit the number of foreign players in franchise-based leagues, with the UAE’s ILT20 being the only notable exception. The ICC’s restrictions were implemented after the ILT20’s inception, effectively preventing other leagues from adopting similar models.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also recently passed a resolution at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in September, aimed at preventing private investments in Indian cricket properties, which could be seen as a preemptive move against possible Saudi involvement in the IPL.
Despite dismissing the idea of creating a new league, Prince Saud hinted at the possibility of hosting IPL matches in Saudi Arabia in the near future. “Why not?” he said when asked about the potential for such an arrangement, indicating that discussions between the SACF, the Saudi government, and the BCCI could pave the way for IPL games to be played in the Kingdom.
In terms of Saudi Arabia’s broader cricket ambitions, Prince Saud emphasized the country’s commitment to growing the sport locally. He confirmed that top-class stadiums would soon be built in Saudi Arabia, particularly in Jeddah, as part of the Kingdom’s strategy to develop cricket infrastructure. The SACF plans to fast-track the construction of these facilities, with an international-standard stadium expected to be ready by next year.
The IPL auction in Jeddah, Prince Saud noted, marked a key first step in this journey. He credited the strong support from the Saudi government and the involvement of key figures such as BCCI Secretary Jay Shah in facilitating the auction’s success. The SACF hopes that hosting such high-profile events and building world-class facilities will contribute to the growth of cricket in the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia has already made its mark in the world of cricket through partnerships with global sponsors such as Aramco and Saudi Tourism, both of which have been involved with the IPL in various capacities in recent years. These efforts align with the Kingdom’s broader sports strategy to diversify its economy and increase its presence on the global sports stage.
As the Kingdom continues to invest in infrastructure and establish itself as a growing hub for international cricket, the future looks bright for the sport in Saudi Arabia, even if a direct challenge to the IPL remains off the table.
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