Lalit Modi pioneered T20 leagues in 1997-98: Saba Karim

Former India wicket-keeper batter Saba Karim while sharing that T20 leagues concept was pioneered long before IPL, said, "Many people don't know that Mr Lalit Modi came up with...T20 franchise cricket concept in 1997-98." Notably, Lalit founded Indian Premier League in 2008 with eight teams. IPL is now the world's richest T20 cricket league, with valuation at $9.6-billion in 2025.