Historic DP World ILT20 Player Auction
In a groundbreaking first-ever DP World ILT20 Player Auction, West Indies star Andre Fletcher emerged as the highest-priced player, clinching a remarkable $260,000 deal with MI Emirates. The franchise overcame significant competition to secure Fletcher’s services for a fourth consecutive season.
Following closely was England’s promising pacer Scott Currie, who attracted a $250,000 bid from Dubai Capitals, showcasing the increasing value of emerging players. Among fast bowlers, Liam Dawson from England topped the list with a $170,000 agreement with Gulf Giants, while Afghanistan’s Naveen-ul-Haq rejoined Fletcher at MI Emirates for $100,000.
UAE Players Shine
A significant day for UAE cricket unfolded, with local talents gaining substantial attention. Junaid Siddique became the most expensive acquisition for Sharjah Warriorz at $170,000 through Right-to-Match. Another local pacer, Muhammad Rohid, also achieved a six-figure pay with MI Emirates for $140,000, marking a crucial moment for domestic cricket.
Several standout players from the ILT20 Development Tournament were rewarded with franchise contracts. Haider Razzaq, the leading wicket-taker and title winner with Sharjah Warriorz Development, was picked by Gulf Giants for $50,000. Player of the Tournament, Sanjay Pahal, was retained by Desert Vipers for $10,000, while Raees Ahmed, among the top run-scorers, returned to Sharjah Warriorz at his base price of $10,000.
Squad Enhancements
The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders made a strong move for Scotland’s Brandon McMullen, securing him for $110,000. They also added Michael Pepper and Unmukt Chand for $40,000 each, alongside George Garton for $10,000. Their selection from Associate Nations included Kuwait’s Adnan Idrees ($10,000) and UAE’s Ibrar Ahmad ($22,000, RTM), along with Ajay Kumar and Abdul Manan Ali (both $10,000).
Desert Vipers strengthened their roster by acquiring Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman and Naseem Shah at their base price of $80,000 each. They also welcomed Afghanistan’s Qais Ahmed ($40,000) and Scotland’s Tom Bruce ($80,000). Additionally, UAE’s Vriitya Aravind, Kuwait’s Bilal Tahir, and Saudi Arabia’s Faisal Khan—who became the first Saudi player signed in the ILT20 auction—were all signed for $10,000 each.
Complete Squad Overview
Dubai Capitals, having made a strong impression with their bid for Currie, rounded out their team by signing veterans Mohammad Nabi and Tymal Mills for $80,000 each. They further featured UAE’s Farhan Khan and Muhammad Farooq ($10,000 each), along with Kuwait’s Anudeep Chenthamara and Saudi Arabia’s Usman Najeeb.
The Gulf Giants completed their squad first, acquiring South Africa’s Tabraiz Shamsi and Netherlands’ Fred Klaassen for $40,000 each. They also added depth with Sean Dickson ($10,000), Chris Wood, and Ramon Simmonds at $40,000 each. From the Associate pool, they signed Kuwait’s Meet Bhavsar ($14,000) and Saudi Arabia’s Ishtiaq Ahmad ($16,000), while bolstering their local presence with UAE’s Asif Khan ($26,000) and Zuhaib Zubair ($10,000, RTM).
With the ILT20 Season 4 set to kick off on December 2 and concluding with the final on January 4, 2026, the tournament will showcase six teams competing in a total of 34 matches.
