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With the game of cricket becoming more commercial in nature, exciting sporting action is the need of the hour. Thus, the T20 format has seen an incredible rise in popularity. This has also seen a rise in demand for T20 leagues across the world.
A lot of T20 leagues have popped up over the years, with the more popular ones like the IPL and the BBL grabbing eyeballs across the world. In this article, we will rank the top 5 T20 leagues in the world.
5. T20 Blast
England's very own; this T20 Blast has produced great cricketing action over the past decade. Although it isn't a franchise T20 league, the quality of cricket exhibited is excellent, and that is what propels it ahead of the Bangladesh Premier League. In fact, it is more of a domestic competition rather than a full-fledged T20 league.
As many as 18 teams participate, and the league is divided into two divisions - North and South. Each division has nine teams, and each team plays 14 games. Each team plays six teams twice and the other 2, one apiece. After this, the top 4 teams qualify for the quarter-final.
Leicestershire Foxes has won the competition a record three times in 16 seasons. A lot of overseas stars have played in the league with a few of them being Aaron Finch, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, and Dwayne Bravo.
It is a great league, and only if it can attract more foreigners and ensure the participation of England stars more regularly, it can climb up the list.
4. Caribbean Premier League
Perhaps the most colourful league in the world, the Caribbean Premier League is an exciting league and is carried by the style and swag of the West Indies' players. The league has a couple of rules that are unique to it, with one of them being, a coin toss to decide who will bat first in a super over. This is in contrary to the actual rule, which states that the team batting second will bat first in the super over.
The other rule is that the net run rate of a team can take a hit for maintaining a slow over-rate, while bowling. There are six teams in the league and the top 2 play in Qualifier 1 whereas, 3rd and 4th placed teams will play in the Eliminator. The Winner of Q1 will progress to the Final and the loser to Q2, where they will play the winner of the Eliminator. The winner of this game will advance to the Final, where the winner is crowned as the champion.
TKR is the most successful team with three titles in just six editions. Overseas stars such as Steve Smith, David Warner and Colin Munro play in the league, along with local stars, including Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Dwayne Bravo.
3. Pakistan Super League
Pakistan Super League has quickly surged its way to become one of the most attractive leagues in the world. Just three editions old, PSL has already seen a lot of great cricketing action. There are six teams, and it uses the same format as the CPL. A large part of the league takes place in UAE, and only 2-3 matches are held in Pakistan.
Last season, Islamabad United won the title for the 2nd time in 3 seasons. Peshawar Zalmi finished the season as runners-up. Overseas superstars like Brendon McCullum, Jason Roy and Rashid Khan thave taken part in the tournament, and it could move higher in the years to come.
2. Big Bash League
Similar to the T20 Blast, the number of overseas stars in the league isn't a lot, but the cricketing quality wins the Big Bash League the second spot. CPL and PSL have the better players, but the matches and the intensity displayed in the BBL is brilliant. It is runs-galore in the Australian league and games are as exciting as they can get.
It is often used as a platform where inexperienced and young foreigners can play well and earn an IPL contract. Prime examples of such players are D'arcy Short and Jofra Archer, whose BBL performances ensured that they could be a part of the IPL.
Although only two overseas players can be there in a squad and the league collides with a lot of international games, the league has still managed to attract the likes of Rashid Khan, Dwayne Bravo, Brendon McCullum, and Jason Roy.
There is no draft or auction in the BBL, and there is a window in which teams can rope in players.
The league format is straightforward with eight teams and the top 4 qualify for the semi-finals. Perth Scorchers have won it thrice in 8 editions, making them the most successful team in the league.
1. Indian Premier League
Unarguably the best T20 league in the world, the Indian Premier League attracts fans and players from all over the world. It is a tournament that allows youngsters, especially Indians, to express themselves and to enhance their reputation. Current Team India players like Yuzvendra Chahal, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah made their mark in the IPL.
It is a festival for Indian fans and lasts for two months. Mumbai Indians are the most successful team in the league so far, with 4 cups in their trophy cabinet.
Overseas stars from every country play in the league and a few of the biggest stars include AB de Villiers, Sunil Narine, and Kane Williamson. The league format is the same as the PSL and CPL.
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