Champions: Winners of five most famous T20 Leagues played in 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic turned out to be a big headache for the cricket boards which got many exciting competitions called off in 2020. However, the T20 tournaments in major countries did find a way to successfully organize the competitions. As many as five franchise-based T20 leagues took place in this calendar year including the introduction of Sri Lanka’s franchise T20 league. Let’s take a look at how the franchise-based T20 leagues fared in 2020:
Big Bash League – Sydney Sixers
The Big Bash League 2019-20 began in the second half of December 2019 and concluded at the start of February with Sydney Sixers clinching the title by winning a rain-affected final against Melbourne Stars. The tournament saw the introduction of a 5-match playoff stage which gives a chance to the top five teams to stay in the race for the title. This was the 2nd season where the Sixers ended up winning the Big Bash title.
? YOUR @BBL|09 CHAMPIONS! ?#smashemsixers #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/aXECG0NdTm
— Sydney Sixers (@SixersBBL) February 8, 2020
Pakistan Super League – Karachi Kings
The 2020 Pakistan Super League marked to be the first-ever edition of the league to be organized in Pakistan for full duration. However, the increase of COVID-19 pandemic saw the tournament to be played without spectators in the latter half. The unprecedented spread of virus got the playoffs postponed to a later date. The leftover four playoff games were played in November with the Karachi Kings lifting the title after they defeated Lahore Qalandars in the finals.
Caribbean Premier League – Trinbago Knight Riders
A perfect finish to a perfect campaign?! Relive the most ? moments from the final when the Knights etched their name into the annals of #CPL history. pic.twitter.com/puncQ6nZT3
— Trinbago Knight Riders (@TKRiders) September 11, 2020
The Caribbean Premier League was the first franchise-based T20 league to take place upon the COVID-19 outbreak. All the six teams were made to play behind the closed doors across the two venues in Trinidad – Queen’s Park Oval and Brian Lara Cricket Stadium. The home team Trinbago Knight Riders emerged as the winners for the record 4th time by defeating St Lucia Zouks in the final. TKR won the tournament winning every match they played on their way to the title. Their skipper Kieron Pollard won the player of the tournament award for his all-round efforts.
Indian Premier League – Mumbai Indians
CHAMPIONS!! #MumbaiIndians #Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/iJVilrC9WX
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) November 10, 2020
The much anticipated Indian Premier League was hosted by the United Arab Emirates between September 19 and November 10. It turned out to be only the 2nd edition of the IPL to be played outside India for the complete duration. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah hosted the 60 matches contested between 8 teams. The tournament began almost five months after the scheduled start due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Mumbai Indians defended their title successfully and won it for the record 5th time.
Lanka Premier League – Jaffna Stallions
The inaugural edition of Lanka Premier League was won by Jaffna Stallions under the captaincy of Thisara Perera. The Stallions began the tournament with four consecutive wins but won none in their next four league matches. They bounced back in the knockouts to lift the title quite comfortably. Colombo Kings were the table-toppers in the league phase with six wins but got knocked out by Galle Gladiators in the semi-final. The Galle team finished as runners-up despite winning only two of the eight league matches.
