News DeskDubai, UAE – The excitement for the upcoming DP World International League T20 Season 4 continues to build, with the official announcement that the Player Auction will be held on Tuesday, 30 September in Dubai. The auction marks a crucial phase in finalizing the six franchise squads ahead of the much-anticipated tournament starting 2 December 2025, coinciding with UAE National Day.
Players wishing to enter the auction can register through the official link registration.ilt20.ae, which goes live on 1 August. The deadline for registrations is set for Wednesday, 10 September.
In this second phase of squad assembly, each team is allowed to sign 13 players from the auction pool, filling the remaining 78 player slots. Teams will compete for talent with a combined auction purse of USD 4.8 million. Further details about individual team budgets, auction order, and the complete list of available players will be released in the coming weeks.
DP World ILT20 CEO David White: “We are delighted to confirm the DP World International League Season 4 Player Auction date – Tuesday, 30 September. The auction is a big milestone for the league as we continue to grow as a world-class T20 tournament. The auction will be a great opportunity for our franchises to add local and international firepower to their Season 4 squads.
“For the UAE players, the ACC Asia Cup 2025 – September 9-28 in the UAE – is a massive opportunity for making a global impression ahead of the Player Auction. The players will have incredible exposure in the continental championship where they will be pitted against some of the top-ranked T20 teams.
“We are also set to play the third edition of the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament from later this month which – alongside the Asia Cup – is another platform for the local players to impress ahead of the Player Auction.”
Season 4 Squad Retentions & Pre-Signings
Earlier this month, the six franchises completed their first phase of squad-building through retentions and direct signings. Each team was allowed up to eight players. The confirmed selections are as follows:
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Alex Hales, Alishan Sharafu, Andre Russell, Charith Asalanka, Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt, Sherfane Rutherford, Sunil Narine.
- Desert Vipers: Andries Gous, Dan Lawrence, David Payne, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Lockie Ferguson, Max Holden, Sam Curran, Wanindu Hasaranga.
- Dubai Capitals: Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera, Gulbadin Naib, Luke Wood, Muhammad Jawadullah, Rovmann Powell, Shai Hope, Waqar Salamkheil.
- Gulf Giants: Aayan Afzal Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Blessing Muzarabani, Gerhard Erasmus, James Vince, Mark Adair, Moeen Ali, Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
- MI Emirates: AM Ghazanfar, Chris Woakes, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Perera, Romario Shepherd, Tom Banton, Muhammad Waseem.
- Sharjah Warriorz: Johnson Charles, Maheesh Theekshana (listed twice in the release), Tim Southee, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Saurabh Netravalkar, Sikandar Raza, Tim David.
Tournament Overview
The DP World ILT20 Season 4 will commence on 2 December 2025 with a blockbuster opening match. The league will feature 34 matches played across the UAE and will culminate in the final on Sunday, 4 January 2026.
With international stars, rising local talent, and the auction shaping up to be fiercely competitive, the fourth edition of the DP World ILT20 promises to deliver thrilling cricket action and further establish itself as one of the premier T20 leagues on the global calendar.
