Saudi Arabia Denies Reports of Launching World's Richest Cricket League

Saudi Arabia has dismissed reports about launching the world's richest cricket league that would have competed with the allure of the high-profile Indian Premier League (IPL). His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Mishaal Al Saud, chairman of the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF), clarified that the reports are incorrect, firmly stating that the Kingdom has no plans to start such a league.

Prince Saud categorically denied any possibility of Saudi Arabia investing in the IPL, saying "That is not true as well." He also mentioned that the Saudi government and its wealthy Sheikhs, backed by the country's massive oil wealth, were not planning to launch a cricket league featuring international players.

The Saudi prince also mentioned that launching a high-profile cricket league would not be possible due to a recent rule introduced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) that limits the number of foreign players in any franchise-based team. He also mentioned that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) passed a resolution to prevent private investment in the board or its leagues, which is believed to be a preemptive measure to block potential future investments from Saudi companies in its properties.

However, Prince Saud did not rule out the possibility of hosting a few matches of the IPL in the Kingdom in the near future. He also mentioned that cricket will take off in the desert in a big way and top-class stadiums will come up soon, particularly in Jeddah.