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RIYADH: The ����ֱ��n Cricket Federation, in partnership with South Asian Network, has announced the launch of the Dunes Legends League T20 — an initiative that aims to strengthen the Kingdom’s position on the international cricket stage.

The T20 cricket league aims to expand the sport’s reach across Saudi cities and beyond in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 goals to diversify the economy and enhance quality of life, according to the SACF.

This strategic partnership reflects a shared vision to develop Saudi talent, promote sports tourism, empower the private sector’s participation in sports, and diversify Saudi cricket’s revenue streams while expanding the game’s presence nationwide, the federation said.

SACF chairman Prince Saud bin Mishal Al-Saud said: “The Dunes Legends League T20 is a milestone in our journey to advance cricket in ����ֱ��.

“It highlights national talent, engages the private sector, and supports Vision 2030 through new revenue opportunities and wider reach across the Kingdom,” he added.

Dr. Tuan Roshan Hassim, chairman of South Asian Network, said: “We are honored to partner with Saudi cricket on this forward-looking initiative that celebrates the Kingdom’s growing sports ambition and delivers a world-class cricket experience for fans in ����ֱ�� and beyond.”

The league will deliver a professional and engaging cricket experience uniting global legends and Saudi players, according to the SACF.

It says the league’s objectives include to unite international cricket legends with Saudi talent in one world-class platform, develop and empower Saudi players through professional training and exposure, encourage private-sector investment and build a sustainable cricket ecosystem, host the league across Saudi cities to boost sports tourism and community engagement, and support Vision 2030 by driving economic diversification and quality of life through sports.

KARACHI: Pakistan will be finalizing a third team for a tri-nation series with Sri Lanka next month, its cricket board said on Saturday, hours after Afghanistan announced their withdrawal from the tournament.

The withdrawal came after the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said Pakistani airstrikes had killed three of its cricketers in Paktika province close to the border with Pakistan.

A Pakistan security official said the strikes targeted a militant group. The assault ended a fragile truce announced by both sides on Wednesday after days of cross-border clashes that killed dozens on both sides.

The ACB said it considered the killing of the three players “a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community” and had decided to withdraw from next month’s tri-series “as a gesture of respect to the victims.”

“The tri series is on and the third team will be finalized shortly,” a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesman told Arab News, without commenting on the skirmishes.

The tri-series, also featuring Sri Lanka, is due to be played from Nov. 17 till Nov. 29 in Rawalpindi and Lahore as part of the teams’ preparations for the next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

It would have been second tri-series featuring Pakistan and Afghanistan in four months after both teams competed in a three-nation tournament in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in September.

Pakistan defeated Afghanistan in the final of that tournament.