ILT20 2024: Full schedule, squads, format and everything else you need to know ahead of 2nd edition

After a successful inaugural season, the Emirates Cricket Board is all set to bring the second edition of the International League T20 (ILT20) starting on 19 January. The Sharjah Cricket Stadium, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. in Abu Dhabi will be the three venues for the upcoming season that will once again clash with the ongoing SA20 in South Africa.Here's all you need to know about the ILT20:What is ILT20?The International League T20 (ILT20), is a 20-over franchise-based competition, held in the United Arab Emirates.When will the ILT20 be held?The second edition of the ILT20 will go on from 19 January to 17 February.Where will ILT20 be hosted?The ILT20 will be hosted in the United Arab Emirates, with Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah serving as the venues for matches.Which are the teams in ILT20?There are six teams in the ILT20. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, and Sharjah Warriors are the teams vying for the title in the ILT20.Full squadsAbu Dhabi Knight Riders: Ali Khan, Andre Russell, Brandon McMullen, Charith Asalanka, David Willey, Jake Lintott, Joe Clarke, Josh Little, Laurie Evans, Marchant de Lange, Matiullah Khan, Michael Pepper, Ravi Bopara, Sabir Ali, Sam Hain, Sunil Narine, Imad WasimDesert Vipers: Adam Hose, Alex Hales, Ali Naseer, Azam Khan, Bas de Leede, Colin Munro, Dinesh Chandimal, Gus Atkinson, Luke Wood, Matheesha Pathirana, Michael Jones, Rohan Mustafa, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sheldon Cottrell, Sherfane Rutherford, Tom Curran, Wanindu HasarangaDubai Capitals: Andrew Tye, Dasun Shanaka, David Warner, Dushmantha Chameera, Joe Root, Mark Wood, Max Holden, Mohammad Mohsin, Nuwan Thushara, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Raja Akif, Roman Powell, Roelof van der Merwe, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sam Billings, Sikandar RazaMI Emirates: Akeal Hosein, Ambati Rayudu, Andre Fletcher, Corey Anderson, Daniel Mousley, Dwayne Bravo, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Jordan Thompson, Kieron Pollard, Kusal Perera, McKenny Clarke, Muhammad Waseem, Nicholas Pooran (c), Nosthush Kenjige, Odean Smith, Trent Boult, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Waqar Salamkheil, Will Smeed, Zahoor KhanSharjah Warriors: Chris Sole, Chris Woakes, Daniel Sams, Dilshan Madushanka, James Fuller, Joe Denly, Johnson Charles, Junaid Siddique, Kusal Mendis, Lewis Gregory, Mahesh Theekshana, Mark Deyal, Mark Watt, Martin Guptill, Muhammad Jawadullah, Qais Ahmad, Sean Williams, Tom Kohler-CadmoreGulf Giants: Aayan Afzal Khan, Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Jordan, Chris Lynn, Dominic Drakes, Gerhard Erasmus, Jamie Overton, James Vince, Jamie Smith, Jordan Cox, Karim Janat, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, Rehan Ahmed, Richard Gleeson, Sanchit Sharma, Saurabh Netravalkar, Shimon HetmyerWhat is the schedule?January 19: Sharjah Warriors vs Gulf GiantsJanuary 20: Dubai Capitals vs MI EmiratesJanuary 21: Desert Vipers vs Abu Dhabi Knight RidersMI Emirates vs Gulf GiantsJanuary 22: Dubai Capitals vs Sharjah WarriorsJanuary 23: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs MI EmiratesJanuary 24: Gulf Giants vs Desert VipersJanuary 25: Dubai Capitals vs Abu Dhabi Knight RidersJanuary 26: Sharjah Warriors vs MI EmiratesJanuary 27: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Desert VipersGulf Giants vs Dubai CapitalsJanuary 28: MI Emirates vs Abu Dhabi Knight RidersDesert Vipers vs Sharjah WarriorsJanuary 29: Sharjah Warriors vs Dubai CapitalsJanuary 30: Desert Vipers vs MI EmiratesJanuary 31: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Gulf GiantsFebruary 1: Dubai Capitals vs Desert VipersFebruary 2: MI Emirates vs Sharjah WarriorsFebruary 3: Desert Vipers vs Gulf GiantsAbu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Dubai CapitalsFebruary 4: MI Emirates vs Desert VipersGulf Giants vs Sharjah WarriorsFebruary 5: Sharjah Warriors vs Abu Dhabi Knight RidersFebruary 6: Dubai Capitals vs Gulf GiantsFebruary 7: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Sharjah WarriorsFebruary 8: Gulf Giants vs MI EmiratesFebruary 9: Desert Vipers vs Dubai CapitalsFebruary 10: Gulf Giants vs Abu Dhabi Knight RidersMI Emirates vs Dubai CapitalsFebruary 11: Sharjah Warriors vs Desert VipersFebruary 13: Qualifier 1February 14: EliminatorFebruary 15: Qualifier 2February 17: FinalWhat's the format?All six teams will be part of a double round-robin format, with two points awarded for a win and one for a tie. The top-four teams will qualify for the playoffs (13 February – 17 February), where the first and second-placed teams will compete for a direct entry to the final. The losing team will face the winner of the eliminator (third versus fourth) for a place in the trophy showdown. Overall, a total of 34 matches will be played.Who are the key overseas players?ILT20 overlaps with SA20 as well as the final stages of the Big Bash League. Still, ILT20 has attracted quality overseas players due to lucrative contracts. The tournament holds List A status, making it the first franchise T20 league run by an associate board with that label. Gulf Giants and Desert Vipers, which were the best teams last season, have retained key players. The competition features prominent overseas players, including Chris Lynn, Shimron Hetmyer, Finn Allen, and Carlos Brathwaite.ILT20 live streaming and broadcast detailsZEE has the broadcast rights for ILT20. All 34 matches will be televised live across the company's 10 linear channels, with coverage available in over 10 languages, including English, Hindi, and Tamil, as well as on ZEE5. In the UK, Zee TV can be accessed on Sky channel 709 and Virgin Media channel 809. In 2023, every match will also be available via BT Sport (TV/online/app).