Saudi Arabia are set to continue their heavy investment in sport, having launched the controversial LIV Golf tour, purchased Premier League side Newcastle and added a Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to the F1 calendar.
Now the gulf state is planning to start the world's most lucrative T20 cricket tournament in a move which has the potential to impact the sport in a major way. The rise of T20 leagues all around the world have had a huge effect on the international game, with players able to earn fortunes solely playing franchise cricket.
England are incredibly concerned about the threat of T20 leagues, with ECB chief executive Richard Gould stating earlier this month they plan to increase players' match fees and offer them multi-year central contracts in a bid to ensure they do not lose their biggest stars to the franchise circuit.
