Saudi Arabia launching world’s RICHEST cricket league, here’s truth behind viral news

New Delhi:  Saudi Arabia’s relentless expansion into the global sports arena could soon see them making a foray into cricket, according to recent reports.

Questions have emerged following a statement by Prince Saud bin Mishaal Al Saud, chairman of the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF), who denied reports suggesting that the country was planning to launch the world’s richest cricket league.

Cricbuzz reported that there were speculations about Saudi Arabia planning to launch its own cricket league. However, the idea was reportedly abandoned at the last moment after realizing that it would have to compete with the irresistible draw of the IPL.

While speaking to Indian reporters on the sidelines of the IPL Mega Auction held in Jeddah, the Prince firmly denied all claims and speculations regarding the SACF’s plans to invest in or launch a cricket league featuring international players.

“That is not correct…that is not true as well,” the Prince was quoted as saying to reporters.

Even if the rumors were true, it wouldn’t be surprising. Saudi Arabia has long been known for its strategic investments in sports as part of efforts to improve its global image and diversify its economy.

Unfortunately, launching a high-profile cricket league in Saudi Arabia may not be feasible, particularly due to a recent rule introduced by the ICC that limits the number of foreign players in any franchise-based team. This restriction could hinder the country’s ability to attract top international talent to its league.

This doesn’t mean that Saudi Arabia hasn’t found ways to make its presence felt in the cricket world. Saudi oil giant Aramco is a sponsor of ICC events and has even participated in the IPL as an associate sponsor. Additionally, Saudi Tourism forged an association with the IPL a couple of years ago, further solidifying the nation’s involvement in the sport.

Although plans to host a few IPL matches in the Middle East remain a hopeful possibility for Al Saud, the prospect of cricket achieving massive popularity in the region still seems unlikely in the near future. The sport’s cultural roots in the desert remain relatively shallow, making widespread enthusiasm a distant goal.

“The IPL auction is a major first step. It will help us fasttrack some of our plans. Hosting it would not have been possible without the big support from the Saudi Government and Mr. Jay Shah (the BCCI secretary),” stated Al Saud.

However, a seed for further expansion into the world of cricket may have been planted, as Al Saud elaborated on SACF’s plans to invest in infrastructure aimed at attracting international competitions to the Middle East. This move could pave the way for greater involvement in the sport down the line.

“An international standard stadium will be built here in Jeddah,” he said and indicated that the stadium would be ready by next year.