Franchises in the International League T20 (ILT20) face a selection challenge ahead of the October 1 player auction as a scheduling overlap with international qualifiers threatens the availability of mandatory UAE players. The 2027 ODI World Cup Qualifier playoffs are tentatively scheduled for December 1 to December 22, 2026, creating a near-total clash with the ILT20 Season 5 window.
Season 5 is confirmed to run from November 22 to December 20, 2026, with matches held in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Under league rules, each of the six franchises must include four UAE players in their squad. The scheduling conflict means teams must bid on local talent at the ICC Academy Indoors in Dubai without knowing if those players will be required for national duty during the tournament.
“It is possible that UAE may be in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers in December, depending on other results before then. If that is the case, then some UAE players will miss a portion of the DP World ILT20 season,” confirmed Mike Fordham in a report by Yardbarker.
The UAE’s participation in the December playoffs depends on their performance in upcoming tri-series fixtures. The national team currently sits eighth in the ICC CWC League 2 table, having earned 18 points from 28 matches. Their next tri-series begins October 3, 2026, against Namibia in Dallas.
Analysis of the UAE’s 15-member squad for the Dallas tour shows that marquee players Muhammad Waseem and Junaid Siddique have been omitted. This selection choice suggests they may be prioritized for ILT20 availability or indicates a shift in the national team’s strategy ahead of the qualifiers.
The auction also marks the first time Pakistan star Babar Azam has registered for the ILT20. Azam is placed in the highest base-price bracket of $80,000. His inclusion is expected to affect how franchises manage their $1.3 million salary purses, especially as they balance the mandatory requirement for Associate and UAE players. Teams retain one Right to Match (RTM) card specifically for a UAE player, which may become a vital tool for retaining talent if availability concerns drive up prices for players not expected to join the national squad.
