The Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation (SACF) chairman has categorically denied reports of plans to launch the “world’s richest league” to rival with IPL. The Indian Premier League’s popularity has grown leaps and bounds ever since its inception in 2007 and has gone to become the richest cricket league in the world. Earlier, reports had claimed that the wealthy Saudi government was planning to launch a cricket league what would feature international stars.

Saudi Arabia has no plans to rival or invest in IPL

As per Cricbuzz, SACF chairman His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Mishaal Al Saud dismissed reports of either starting a “world’s richest league” or any plans of investing in IPL. ICC’s new rules restricting franchises to fielding just four overseas players poses a further hurdle for the start of a new league. While the ILLT20 allows for more than four overseas stars to feature in the playing XI, ICC’s rule came into effect after the tournament began.

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However, the SACF chairman said that the country was open to hosting IPL matches in the future. Recently, the two-day IPL 2025 auction was held in Jeddah that saw 182 players being sold and franchises spending Rs 639.15 cr from their purse. The SACF chairman said that hosting the IPL auction was the first step and said that he was looking forward to allowing cricket to take off in the country and vowed to develop world-class stadiums.

 “The IPL auction is a major first step. It will help us fast-track some of our plans. Hosting it would not have been possible without the big support from the Saudi Government and Jay Shah ,” he said.

IPL 2025 auction in numbers

Three players saw the teams break their bank to buy them at the IPL 2025 auction. They are Rishabh Pant (Rs 27 cr), Shreyas Iyer (Rs 26.75 cr) and Venkatesh Iyer (Rs 24.75 cr). 17 players were purchased by franchises for a price over Rs 10 cr, with most of the stars on the list getting a huge boost in their salary.