{
  "id": 11862905,
  "title": "ILT20 2026 salaries: Who are the highest-paid players in the UAE league?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/ilt20-2026-salaries-who-are-the-highest-paid-players-in-the-uae-league",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-04T06:14:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/cricket/2026/10/04/ilt20-2026-salaries-who-are-the-highest-paid-players-in-the-uae-league/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The DP World International League Twenty20 (ILT20) 2026 concluded with a record-breaking player auction, as reported by Paul Radley on October 2, 2026. The league has become one of the most lucrative in the world, with local and Associate-nation players also receiving their share of the prize money. A total of $1 million was spent on 24 UAE players, with a minimum salary of $10,000.\n\nLeading the pack in earnings was Fazalhaq Farooqi from Afghanistan, who secured the highest contract for $380,000, joining MI Emirates. Following closely, Liam Livingstone from England was snapped up by Gulf Giants for $350,000. Rahmanullah Gurbaz from Afghanistan held the third position with a $310,000 deal with Gulf Giants. Faf du Plessis from South Africa earned $300,000 with Dubai Capitals, while Alzarri Joseph from West Indies secured $230,000 with Gulf Giants.\n\nThe auction raised the bar for UAE cricketers, with Muhammad Waseem from UAE signing a $210,000 contract with MI Emirates. Richard Gleeson from England and Chris Jordan from MI Emirates earned $180,000 and $170,000 respectively. Other top earners included Allah Ghazanfar and David Payne from MI Emirates, Mohammad Nabi from Afghanistan, Paul Walter and Lizaad Williams from Sharjah Warriorz, and Alishan Sharafu from Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, all earning $110,000 each.",
  "summary": "The DP World International League T20 held its second player auction, with some of the biggest names in franchise cricket landing mega deals. The ILT20 has become one of the most lucrative leagues in the world. This time, the rules were altered to ensure that local and Associate-nation players also get a slice of the cash pie. As a result, more than $1 million was spent on 24 UAE players with a…",
  "key_points": [
    "Fazalhaq Farooqi from Afghanistan earned $380,000, the highest salary in ILT20 2026",
    "Liam Livingstone from England secured $350,000 contract with Gulf Giants",
    "Rahmanullah Gurbaz from Afghanistan earned $310,000 with Gulf Giants"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The record-breaking player auction cements ILT20's status as one of the world's most lucrative leagues, with top players from leading nations and local UAE cricketers securing significant salaries.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "ILT20 2026 salaries: Who are the highest-paid players in the UAE league?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/ilt20-2026-salaries-who-are-the-highest-paid-players-in-the-uae-league-11865167",
        "published": "2026-10-04T06:14:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}