Saudi Arabia, a country with little international cricketing experience, is reportedly preparing to launch its own T20 league in the coming years.
Officials have said this event will be the "richest T20 league" in the world, rivalling the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is currently considered the wealthiest.
However, the addition of another high-stakes league to the cricketing calendar could lead to an even busier schedule for players, who may have to fight harder for no objection certificates (NOCs) from their countries.
One challenge facing Saudi Arabia is finding a suitable window to hold its league. The IPL occupies March and April, while the schedules of other T20 events leave a possible window in October-November.
Prince Saud bin Mishal al-Saud, chairman of Saudi Arabia's cricket board, announced the league's plan, saying they want to be the "global destination" of cricket.
In a recent interview with Arab News, Prince Saud said they are exploring the potential of cricket both in their country and beyond. "Our goal is to ensure that everything we do helps elevate the game, inspire the next generation of players, and create a positive impact in the world around us."
According to the Guardian, the Saudi Arabian cricket authority held talks with IPL team owners regarding a potential partnership. However, further details were not released.
There have been reports that Saudi Arabia wants Indian players to join the upcoming league, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said it is not interested in allowing its players to participate in foreign leagues.
