Rome: Italy’s first city-based franchise T10 League Looks to Engage Middle East Cricket Fraternity After Phenomenal Global Announcement

With three of six franchises already secured, Italia T10 promoters look to deepen ties with the Middle East cricket fraternity ahead of the inaugural season in Rome

Dubai/Rome, September 1: Following the phenomenal global response to the announcement of Italia T10 Cricket, the promoters of Italy’s first city-based franchise cricket league are now looking to engage with the Middle East cricket fraternity, as preparations gather momentum for the inaugural season in Rome from 7 to 15 November 2026.

Officially endorsed by the Italian Cricket Federation, Italia T10 will feature six city-based franchises, with three already secured. The global attention generated by the announcement has reinforced the promoters’ confidence in the league’s international potential, with the Middle East emerging as a natural region for its next phase of engagement.

Aamir Akhtar, Chairman of Apex T10 Ltd, said: “The response to the announcement of Italia T10 has been phenomenal and has given us tremendous confidence in what we are building. Three of the six franchises are already confirmed, and we are now looking forward to engaging with the Middle East cricket fraternity and bringing stakeholders from the region into the Italia T10 journey.”

The Middle East has emerged as an important hub for international and franchise cricket, with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain contributing to the sport’s growing footprint across the region. A growing pool of players from these markets is also gaining exposure on international platforms, reflecting the increasing depth and ambition of cricket across the GCC.

For Italia T10, the region represents more than a commercial opportunity. The promoters see the potential to create a strong cricketing connection between the Middle East and Europe, bringing together people with experience, passion and a long-term interest in the development of the game.

Akhtar added: “The Middle East has built a vibrant cricket ecosystem. There is a deep understanding and passion for the game here, and we believe Italia T10 can create an exciting connection between this region and European cricket. We would be delighted to see stakeholders from the Middle East represented within the league and contributing to what we believe can become a strong international cricket property.”

Akhtar himself understands the importance of creating opportunities in emerging cricket markets. The former Nepal cricketer represented his country at the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in 2000 before going on to represent Nepal at senior level. His journey in the sport has helped shape the philosophy behind Apex T10, developing cricket in associate territories through professionally structured franchise competitions.

Italia T10 Cricket is delivered by Apex T10 Ltd, a UK-based company founded by Nadeem Shahid and Aamir Akhtar for the purpose of developing cricket in associate territories through franchise competitions in the fast-paced T10 format. The Italian competition marks the first tournament to be launched under the Apex T10 banner.

Nadeem Shahid, Chief Executive Officer of Apex T10 Ltd, said: “Italia T10 has an Italian foundation but an international outlook. The response we have received since the announcement demonstrates the potential for a new cricket property coming out of Europe. As the league takes shape, we see the Middle East as an important part of that international journey.

“Cricket has grown enormously across the region, both in terms of its following and the opportunities being created around the game. Building a connection with the Middle East cricket fraternity can add another international dimension to Italia T10 while supporting our wider vision of developing cricket across emerging territories.”

The inaugural season will take place entirely in Rome from 7 to 15 November 2026, with six city-based franchises competing over nine days.

The T10 format, one of the fastest and most exciting formats in world cricket, features 10 overs per side, with matches lasting approximately 90 minutes. The compact format provides an entertaining and accessible experience for established cricket followers as well as new audiences discovering the sport.

The tournament will be streamed live to more than 30 countries, providing significant international reach for the competition, its franchises and participating players from its inaugural season.

The competition is being established in accordance with the International Cricket Council (ICC) sanctioning framework, with the Italian Cricket Federation coordinating the application process for ICC sanctioning.

The arrival of Italia T10 also comes at a particularly significant time for the global game, with cricket set to return to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028. The sport’s expanding international footprint is creating fresh opportunities for emerging cricket territories and providing new pathways for players, clubs and cricketing communities beyond the game's traditional markets.

Italia T10 aims to contribute to that growth by increasing cricket’s profile in Italy, creating new development pathways for players and clubs, and providing a higher standard of domestic competition while connecting Italian cricket with the wider international cricket community.

With three of its six franchises already in place and strong interest following its global announcement, Italia T10 is now looking to the Middle East cricket fraternity to become part of the league’s growing international story.