Italy has its first city-based franchise T10 league. The Italian Cricket Federation has officially endorsed Italia T10 Cricket, with the inaugural edition set to run from October 30 to November 7, 2026, across nine days of competition in Rome. Six city-based franchises will take part, each playing matches of 10 overs per side.
The tournament is the work of Apex T10 Ltd, a UK-based organisation co-founded by Nadeem Shahid and Aamir Akhtar, both of whom have played professional cricket at a high level. Broadcast arrangements are already in place, with the league scheduled to be carried live across more than 30 countries from its opening edition. The Italian Cricket Federation is coordinating the ICC sanctioning application for the competition, placing it within the formal international governance structure.
"This is a very positive moment for Italian cricket, both for our national teams and for the continued development of the sport across the country. We are pleased to officially endorse an initiative that shares our commitment to growing cricket in Italy in a structured, professional and sustainable manner. We look forward with confidence to a long and successful partnership with Italia T10 Cricket for the benefit of the entire Italian cricket community," Gianfranco Ravà, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Italian Cricket Federation, said as quoted by Cricket World.
Why has the Italian Cricket Federation backed this initiative?
The federation's endorsement signals a deliberate push to grow cricket in Italy through a structured, professionally run competition. By coordinating the ICC sanctioning application, the federation is ensuring the league operates within the same regulatory framework that governs recognised international tournaments.
The launch also arrives at a moment of broader momentum for the sport globally. Cricket is set to feature at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, a development that has sharpened interest in the game across associate and emerging nations, including Italy.
Who are the founders driving Apex T10 Ltd?
Nadeem Shahid brings more than two decades of first-class experience to the venture. He represented Essex and Surrey across his playing career, earned England A recognition, collected multiple County Championship titles and subsequently spent four seasons on the Surrey coaching staff.
Aamir Akhtar's background is equally relevant to the project. He represented Nepal at international level and built the Everest Premier League from the ground up, giving him direct operational knowledge of what it takes to establish a franchise T10 competition in a developing cricket market.
Together, the two founders bring complementary expertise in playing, coaching and tournament management, which underpins the professional structure Apex T10 Ltd is seeking to bring to Italian cricket through this new league.