Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
The DP World International League T20 (ILT20), the UAE’s flagship franchise cricket competition and the world’s second-richest league after the Indian Premier League (IPL), is entering its fourth season with a series of significant firsts or twists.
First-ever Player Auction
For the first three editions, ILT20 franchises relied on direct signings and retentions. Season 4 introduces an auction system, bringing an IPL-style buzz.
Minimum base price: $10,000 for associate and GCC players.
Composition rules: Each franchise must field four UAE players in their squad, two associate nation players, plus one each from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Playing XI rules: Eight internationals and three associate/UAE players in every match.
Saudi Arabia Joins in the Fun
In a landmark move, the league has partnered with the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF).
Each franchise is now mandated to sign at least one Saudi player.
From future seasons, ILT20 matches will also be hosted in Saudi Arabia.
A commercial framework with the SACF aims to nurture grassroots talent and create pathways for Saudi cricketers.
Indian Names on the Roster
The biggest talking point is the entry of Indian cricketers.
Ravichandran Ashwin has confirmed his availability for the auction and is exploring a dual player-coach role. His presence alone has forced the league to raise the maximum base price possible from $80,000 to introduce a $120k option.
Dinesh Karthik has already signed with Sharjah Warriors as a direct replacement for Kusal Mendis.
This marks a watershed moment, as Indian participation in overseas leagues has been rare due to BCCI restrictions.
Going under the Hammer
The 120,000 category features Ravichandran Ashwin, of course. Aletihad learns that one franchise atleast has made a gentleman’s agreement to buy him at a certain prize, but the auction dynamics can be a spoilsport, not for Ashwin though. It is also worth noting that Ashwin may have to balance the end of ILT20 with the Big Bash League in Australia as well.
The $80,000 bracket will feature the likes of England’s Jason Roy, Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub, and West Indies’ Andre Fletcher. The all-round options include Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi and Karim Janat, along with Pakistan’s Muhammad Nawaz. Pakistan’s pace spearhead Naseem Shah and Faheem Ashraf, and Afghanistan’s Naveen-ul-Haq. Only one team can probably think on paper of bidding together for Indian and Pakistan names – Desert Vipers.
The $40,000 category includes names such as Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh), James Anderson (England), Andrew Tye (Australia), Ibrahim Zadran and Najibullah Zadran (Afghanistan) and more.
Show Me the Money
Each franchise will enter the auction with a purse of $800,000 plus any remaining amount from the $1.2 million allocated earlier for direct signings and retentions.
Dubai Capitals and Gulf Giants enter the auction with the largest purses at $1,035,000 each.
Sharjah Warriorz have $1,025,000, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders follow with $925,000, Desert Vipers with $802,500, and MI Emirates have $800,000 to spend.
Franchise Dynamics
Franchises can now retain players from past seasons, use two wildcard spots for direct signings (outside the auction), and mix international cricketers with more talent from the GCC countries.
At the end of the auction, each squad will be required to feature a minimum of 19 and up to a maximum of 21 players. The playing XI will have atleast three players from Associate nations, including two from UAE, and eight international players.
Franchises must spend at least $1.5 million and no more than $2 million, with the option of signing up to two Wildcard players outside the auction for an additional $250,000.
Early Birds
Many of the format’s most recognisable performers are already locked in with their franchises. Sunil Narine (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), Andre Russell (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), Phil Salt (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), Tim Southee (Sharjah Warriorz), Dinesh Karthik (Sharjah Warriorz), Tim David (Sharjah Warriorz), Fazalhaq Farooqi (MI Emirates), Muhammad Waseem (MI Emirates), Romario Shepherd (MI Emirates), Gulbadin Naib (Dubai Capitals), Rovman Powell (Dubai Capitals), Moeen Ali (Gulf Giants), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Gulf Giants), Wanindu Hasaranga (Desert Vipers), Shimron Hetmyer (Desert Vipers) are among the stars set to feature in Season 4, ensuring that the tournament once again boasts a strong line-up of global talent.
Talent Pathways
Desert Vipers and other franchises are launching structured talent pathway programmes in the UAE, ensuring a sustainable feeder system for the UAE Developing Tournament in turn. Kuwait has also started its own support tournament while Saudi Arabia is expected to follow suit.
Current Squads as they Stand
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Liam Livingstone, Alishan Sharafu, Alex Hales, Sherfane Rutherford, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Phil Salt, Olly Stone, Jason Holder (Wildcard), Piyush Chawla (Wildcard)
Desert Vipers: Lockie Ferguson, Dan Lawrence, David Payne, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Max Holden, Sam Curran, Wanindu Hasaranga, Andries Gous, Shimron Hetmyer (Wildcard)
Dubai Capitals: Jordan Matthew Cox, Rovman Powell, Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Waqar Salamkheil, Haider Ali, Muhammad Jawadullah, Jimmy Neesham, David Willey (Wildcard), Leus de Plooy (Wildcard)
Gulf Giants: James Vince, Aayan Afzal Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Gerhard Erasmus, Mark Adair, Azmatullah Omarzai, Moeen Ali, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Kyle Mayers (Wildcard), Matthew Forde (Wildcard)
MI Emirates: AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kamindu Mendis, Romario Shepherd, Tom Banton, Muhammad Waseem, Chris Woakes, Jonny Bairstow
Sharjah Warriorz: Tim Southee, Dinesh Karthik, Johnson Charles, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Saurabh Netravalkar, Sikandar Raza, Tim David, Tom Abell (Wildcard), Adil Rashid (Wildcard)
