A landmark day for UAE cricketers at the DP World ILT20 Player Auction

By K.R. Nayar

The DP World ILT20 Player Auction marked a historic day for UAE cricket, with many national players fetching impressive bids—reflecting the rising stature, talent, and earning potential of UAE cricketers in international franchise leagues. This success can be attributed to the UAE’s impressive performances in recent international matches, which have significantly raised the profile of its players.

UAE's Muhammad Rohid being secured by MI Emirates for USD 140,000 as Mubashshir Usmani, Gen. Secretary Emirates Cricket Board proudly looks on

Speaking to this reporter during one of the auction intervals, Khalid Zarooni, Chairman of DP World ILT20 and Vice Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, said: “It shows that UAE cricket is doing things for the development of the game, and the recent results and performances of the players have been reflected in the auction.”

A proud day for Khalid Zarooni, Chairman of DP World ILT20 and Vice Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board. Photos ILT20 

This auction has sent a strong message that players do not need to belong to a Test-playing nation to catch the attention of team owners or command impressive price tags. Thirty-two-year-old Junaid Siddique, a right-arm pacer from Multan who came to the UAE in 2014 with a dream of playing international cricket, and has toiled hard for a decade, was bought by Sharjah Warriorz for USD 170,000.

Junaid Siddique when he excelled in UAE and returned to a heroes welcome with his father in his village. 

The significance of his achievement is best illustrated in Junaid’s own words during his interview with this reporter. “There was a time when I had no money and had to seek help to get Dh 10 (USD 2.80). I worked in a grocery store and on a farm to earn a living.” In the Asia Cup 2025, he proved that he is worth the money Sharjah has spent on him with two four-wicket spells. His 4 for 23 helped UAE beat Oman, and against Pakistan, he bagged 4 for 18.

 Muhammad Rohid receives one of the many player of the match awards. 

UAE’s left-arm pacer Muhammad Rohid, who was secured by MI Emirates for USD 140,000, had turned 23 only two days before the auction. Rohid is more than a wicket-taker; he is a spark of energy on the field who inspires his teammates and ignites matches. Teams crave for such players who not only deliver results but also fuel belief. This reporter still recalls his deadly spells in the Sharjah Cricket Council Cricketers Benefit Fund series domestic tournament — early signs of the star he has now become.

Salman Hanif (left) who orchestrated the auction with inputs. Photo by K.R. Nayar   

Though a few experienced UAE players like Rohan Mustafa and Basil Hameed went unsold, 35-year-old Asif Khan fetched USD 26,000 from a base price of USD 10,000. This batter, who has played some big match-winning knocks recently, was bought by Gulf Giants. An auction war was witnessed to acquire UAE’s left-arm pacer Wasim Akram. From a base price of USD 10,000, he was bought by Sharjah Warriors for USD 55,000. UAE pacer Haider Razzaq, who was the leading wicket-taker in Sharjah Warriorz Development’s title-winning campaign earlier this year, was purchased by Gulf Giants for USD 50,000.

Emirates Cricket Board executive member Zayed Abbas does the pick during the auction. Photo by K.R. Nayar 

The auction also carried a silent message to domestic players: age is no barrier, consistent performance is the real currency. It can also convert one’s dreams to dollars. This was further underlined when 19-year-old Ethan D’Souza was picked up by the Warriors for USD 10,000.

Mathew  Boucher, CEO Abu Dhabi Cricket does the pick during the auction. Photo by K.R. Nayar  

Though 36-year-old UAE pacer Zahoor Khan, with his never-say-die spirit, went unsold in the early round, he was later picked for USD 10,000 by MI Emirates. UAE’s 23-year-old Vriitya Aravind being bought by Desert Vipers for USD 10,000 can boost his confidence, especially as he will now play alongside top players in the team.

Legendary cricketer Wasim Akram does the pick at the auction. Photo by K.R. Nayar 

It was an auction in which team owners were very calculative in their spending. It saw Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin and England pacer Jimmy Anderson go unsold, but forty-year-old Mohammad Nabi, due to his recent form, was bought for USD 80,000 by Dubai Capitals.

Legendary auctioneer Richard Madley. Photo: ILT20 

The glittering event was staged at the Dana Ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel in Jumeirah, and the show belonged to legendary auctioneer Richard Madley — the “Hammerman” — whose charisma and booming voice gave the auction its unique rhythm. When his hammer dropped, the fortunes of UAE players too rose. With 17 years of experience in conducting player auctions, Madley turned the bidding process into theatre. Out of 294 players from 124 countries who enrolled, only 73 slots were available, raising the stakes for everyone.

Andre Fletcher from a base price of  USD 80,000 goes on to fetch USD 260,000. PhotoL ILT20  

The biggest money earners were Andre Fletcher (MI Emirates, USD 260,000), Scott Currie (Dubai Capitals, USD 250,000) and Liam Dawson (Gulf Giants, USD 170,000). The instruction from the organisers to the squads was to secure a minimum of 19 and up to a maximum of 21 players, split as a minimum of 11 from Full Member nations, four from the UAE including one U-23 UAE player, one from Kuwait, one from Saudi Arabia, and two from other ICC Associate Nations.

The top individual awards in the form of belts ready for next edition. Photo by K.R. Nayar

The DP World ILT20 Season 4 will raise its curtain on December 2 – UAE National Day (Eid Al-Etihad) – with six teams battling for supremacy. After 34 matches, the tournament will crown its champion on January 4, 2026. For UAE cricket, this auction wasn’t just about contracts — it was about recognition, validation, and the dawn of a new era.

The media at the auction. Photo: ILT20 

Complete Squad List 

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Total Spent: USD 1,457,000)

Auction Signings: Michael Pepper (USD 40,000), George Garton (USD 10,000), Brandon McMullen (USD 110,000), Ibrar Ahmed (USD 22,000), Ajay Kumar (USD 10,000), Adnan Idrees Muhammad (USD 10,000), Abdul Manan Ali (USD 10,000), Mayank Chowdary (USD 10,000), Khary Pierre (USD 10,000), Shadley Van Schalkwyk (USD 10,000), Unmukt Chand (USD 40,000) 

Retentions + Direct Signings: Liam Livingstone, Alishan Sharafu, Alex Hales, Sherfane Rutherford, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Phil Salt, Olly Stone 

Rohan Gavaskar does the pick at the auction. Photo by K.R. Nayar 

Desert Vipers (Total Spent: USD 1,617,500)

Auction Signings: Vriitya Aravind (USD 10,000), Fakhar Zaman (USD 80,000), Naseem Shah (USD 80,000), Qais Ahmad (USD 40,000), Sanjay Pahal (USD 10,000), Bilal Tahir (USD 10,000), Faisal Khan (USD 10,000), Hasan Nawaz (USD 40,000), Tom Bruce (USD 80,000), Matiullah Khan (USD 10,000), Tawanda Muyeye (USD 40,000), Faridoon Dawoodzai (USD 10,000) 

Retentions + Direct Signings: Dan Lawrence, Max Holden, David Payne, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Lockie Ferguson, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sam Curran, Andries Gous 

Wasim Akram speaks to journalists during the auction . Photo:ILT20 

Dubai Capitals (Total Spent: USD 1,475,000)

Auction Signings: Muhammad Farooq (USD 10,000), Tymal Mills (USD 80,000), Scott Currie (USD 250,000), Mohammad Nabi (USD 80,000), Farhan Khan (USD 10,000), Anudeep Chenthamara (USD 10,000), Usman Najeeb (USD 10,000), Ritesh Mallikarjuna Grandhi (USD 10,000), Shayan Jahangir (USD 10,000), Rushil Ugarkar (USD 10,000), Naveen Bidiasee (USD 10,000), Toby Albert (USD 10,000), Akshay Wakhare (USD 10,000) 

Retentions + Direct Signings: Jordan Matthew Cox, Rovman Powell, Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Waqar Salamkheil, Haider Ali, Muhammad Jawadullah, Jimmy Neesham 

South African Test star JP Duminy bids for Sharjah Warriorz at the auciton. Photo: ILT20 

Gulf Giants  (Total Spent: USD 1,471,000)

Auction Signings: Asif Khan (USD 26,000), Zuhaib Zubair (USD 10,000), Sean Dickson (USD 10,000), Tabraiz Shamsi (USD 40,000), Liam Dawson (USD 170,000), Fred Klaassen (USD 40,000), Haider Razzaq (USD 50,000), Meet Bhavsar (USD 14,000), Ishtiaq Ahmad (USD 16,000), Lorcan Tucker (USD 10,000), Chris Wood (USD 40,000), Tom Moores (USD 40,000), Ramon Simmonds (USD 40,000) 

Retentions + Direct Signings: Aayan Afzal Khan, Mark Adair, Gerhard Erasmus, Blessing Muzarabani, Moeen Ali, James Vince, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 

The glittering ILT2o Trophy  

MI Emirates (Total Spent: USD 1,868,000)

Auction Signings: Muhammad Rohid (USD 140,000), Jordan Thompson (USD 48,000), Naveen-ul-Haq (USD 100,000), Andre Fletcher (USD 260,000), Nosthush Kenjige (USD 10,000), Mohamed Shafeeq (USD 10,000), Zain Ul Abidin (USD 10,000), Usman Khan (USD 10,000), Ackeem Auguste (USD 10,000), Arab Gul (USD 10,000), Tajinder Dhillon (USD 10,000), Zahoor Khan (USD 10,000), Shakib Al Hasan (USD 40,000) 

Retentions + Direct Signings: Fazalhaq Farooqi, Tom Banton, Romario Shepherd, Chris Woakes, Jonny Bairstow, AM Ghazanfar, Muhammad Waseem, Kamindu Mendis 

Sharjah Warriorz (Total Spent: USD 1,664,000)

Auction Signings: Junaid Siddique (USD 170,000), James Rew (USD 10,000), Nathan Sowter (USD 100,000), Dwaine Pretorius (USD 120,000), Jayden Seales (USD 80,000), Harmeet Singh (USD 10,000), Wasim Akram (USD 55,000), Mohamed Nawfer Mohamed Aslam (USD 14,000), Raees Ahmad (USD 10,000), Richard Ngarava (USD 10,000), Shubham Ranjane (USD 10,000), Ethan D’Souza (USD 10,000), Taskin Ahmed (USD 80,000), Abdul Salman Khan (USD 10,000) 

Retentions + Direct Signings: Dinesh Karthik, Sikandar Raza, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tim David, Johnson Charles, Tim Southee, Saurabh Netravalkar