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Fixtures for the inaugural edition of the International League T20<\/strong> (ILT20) have been announced, and Dubai Capitals will lock horns with Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the opening game on January 13, 2023.<\/p>\n The grand finale of the brand-new league will be played on February 12.<\/p>\n All six teams, namely Dubai Capitals, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, Sharjah Warriors <\/strong>and Desert Vipers<\/strong>, will face each other twice during the league-stage encounters.<\/p>\n The top four teams will then be matched up to play one eliminator and two qualifiers \u2013 just like it happens in the Indian Premier League (IPL) \u2013 to identify the two finalists.<\/p>\n The competition will set the cricket world on fire with overseas stars like Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga and Moeen Ali, among others boasting the five-weekend-day double-headers in UAE.<\/p>\n Speaking about the ILT20 schedule, Mubashshir Usmani<\/strong>, General Secretary, Emirates Cricket Board, said: \u201cThis is a very exciting time for the league and, collectively, we are delighted to announce the 2023 ILT20 playing schedule. To have superstars such as Dubai Capital\u2019s Dasun Shanaka and Abu Dhabi Knight Rider\u2019s Andre Russell open their teams\u2019 accounts is very exciting.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWe cannot wait for the teams to arrive (in early January) and battle it out in the park and provide world-class entertainment to the cricket fans here, in the UAE, and around the globe.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt is very important for us to launch the first season in an emphatic style, and the league management is very excited to have engaged with globally recognised artists in Badshah and Jason Derulo, both of whom will undoubtedly energise the teams, and the fans leading into the opening match. We are confident that the ILT20 will be a huge success,\u201d <\/em> he concluded.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the official schedule for ILT20 2023:<\/strong><\/p>\n