ILT20 2026 Auction: Can UAE's Top Cricket Stars Shatter the $200,000 Milestone?

The leading cricketers of the UAE are preparing for competitive bidding wars as the DP World ILT20 auction approaches at the ICC Academy in Dubai on Thursday. Each of the six franchises is required to include four UAE players in their squad, creating 24 available contracts. Within this group, at least one player must be capped by the senior national team, and one must be under 23. With a minimum individual salary set at $10,000, players are anticipating a lucrative payday.

At the inaugural ILT20 auction last year, West Indies batter Andre Fletcher secured the highest fee at $260,000, while Junaid Siddique commanded the largest bid for a local player, earning $170,000 with the Sharjah Warriorz. Domestic players recently showcased their skills in the Development Tournament, ultimately won by Gulf Giants, though identifying the most sought-after local talent remains a challenge.

Potential scheduling conflicts pose a hurdle, as the tournament overlaps with the penultimate phase of qualifying for the ODI World Cup. Although the ICC has not yet officially confirmed the Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-off, teams have been advised it will run from December 1-20. The eight-team competition features the four lowest-ranked sides in the Cricket World Cup League Two, with the UAE currently sitting at the bottom. While franchises and ILT20 officials remain hopeful for a rescheduling, the urgent need to determine who advances to the February and March 2027 World Cup Qualifier leaves many players facing tough choices. Consequently, some athletes hoping for lucrative ILT20 contracts may prefer to remain unselected for national team duty.

Several standout contenders outside the current national team setup are drawing significant attention ahead of the auction:

• Muhammad Waseem: Recognized as the best UAE player in each of the first four ILT20 seasons, he ranks third in career sixes in T20 internationals behind Rohit Sharma. As a globally experienced franchise cricketer who appears currently unavailable for the UAE ODI team, Waseem is positioned to command a top price, with MI Emirates holding the right to match any bid.
• Ansh Tandon: The 24-year-old left-hander delivered outstanding performances during the development tournament, scoring 237 runs and helping Gulf Giants claim the title.
• KS Bharat: The former India Test wicketkeeper-batter brings extensive experience from seven Test matches and five IPL seasons. Because he is not yet eligible to play for the UAE, he is entirely available for the ILT20 season.
• Luqman Faisal: Making a strong impression for Sharjah Warriorz by blazing 95 not out from 38 balls, he finished the tournament with the most sixes and equal most runs, bolstered by his wicketkeeping abilities and current lack of national eligibility.
• Ali Naseer: As the top-qualified under-23 local player, the all-rounder was expected to attract strong bids, though his availability is uncertain following a recall to the squad touring the United States.
• Wali Mohammed: Emerging as a standout find of the development tournament, the tall fast bowler was both the leading wicket-taker and the most economical bowler, positioning him as an ideal replacement if Khuzaima Tanveer is sidelined by ODI duty.
• Alishan Sharafu: Despite a recent drop from the UAE ODI side, the outstanding T20 batter and former captain remains a vital asset for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, who are expected to match bids for him.
• Haider Razzaq: Following a successful $50,000 signing with Gulf Giants last year, the fast bowler's strong finish in the development tournament ensures the franchise retains the right to match bids for him.
• Sagar Kalyan: Honored as the player of the development tournament, his consistent run-scoring and boundary-hitting prowess make him valuable for franchises utilizing UAE batters in the lower order.
• Vriitya Aravind: His continued absence from the national team enhances his appeal to ILT20 recruiters, hoping to rejoin the Desert Vipers after securing a winner's medal with them last season.
• Junaid Shamsu: Having hit 15 sixes out of 113 faced balls and earning three player of the match awards, the burly batter is heavily favored to join Gulf Giants.
• Mohammed Rohid: After securing a $140,000 deal last year and falling out of ODI consideration, he is expected to return to MI Emirates.