A big controversy is breaking out! David White hits back at Graeme Smith’s brutal criticism of ILT20
International League T20 (ILT20) CEO David White has hit back at former South African captain Graeme Smith’s comments in which he criticized the league and called it a “challenge” to the cricketing world.
Smith argued that the ILT20 does nothing for the growth of cricket and should be considered. However, White decided to respond to Smith’s criticism and reminded him how the league benefits cricket in the UAE and associated countries.
It should be noted that Graeme Smith is the commissioner of the ongoing SA20, South Africa’s franchise-based T20 league. Both SA20 and ILT20 will match each other which will divide the no. big names in the world of cricket.
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David White hits back at Graeme Smith’s brutal criticism of ILT20
While speaking to Cricbuzz, David White was brutal in his assessment of Graeme Smith’s commentary at ILT20. He claimed that the league gives opportunities to players from affiliated countries and that it is the only league that does so.
“Oh Mr Smith, it is not our policy to talk about other leagues. We are the only league in the world that provides a platform for affiliate countries to participate at this level. We have players from Nepal, Malaysia, USA, Scotland, Holland, Namibia and Italy ” said White.
White is also a former chief executive of New Zealand Cricket. He further asked Graeme Smith to do a proper research on the motives behind the ILT20 and reminded him that the UAE has always helped the cricketing world to host major events.
“Look, he’s entitled to his comments, but I just think his comments were made without any investigation, maybe he should have taken the time to look at what we want to achieve, what we’re achieving and the importance that this league has in terms of growing cricket in the UAE, the wider Gulf and the international game,” he explained.
“It’s easy to dismiss the influence of the UAE. The UAE has incredible facilities and privately invested facilities, and that’s a safeguard for all ICC events,” White said.
What did Graeme Smith say about ILT20?
Graeme Smith previously took a brutal dig at ILT20 and berated them calling it bad for the future of the game. He asserted that the league is not contributing to the grassroots level which is a big challenge.
“We are built against IL T20, so it is very difficult for me not to come across as insulting them, but I feel that such a league is not good for the game; that there are so many international players needed to build a team; there is no investment in local cricket,” he remarked is a former South African player.
“It’s a challenge for the world game and something to deal with in the future,” he noted.
SA20 and ILT20 matching each other
The third season of SA20 kicked off on January 9 with MI Cape Town defeating defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape by a huge margin of 97 runs. Two matches have been played so far. The final of the tournament will be played on February 8.
Meanwhile, the IL T20 will begin on January 11 with Dubai Capitals vs MI Emirates in the first match in Dubai. The tournament will be held from January 11 to February 9. Since both the tournaments will be held simultaneously, the major players of the cricket world will be divided.
