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Ahead of the upcoming season of the 2026 International League T20 (ILT20), the league hierarchy has issued some guidelines for all of the participating teams. The guideline has been issued regarding the team-building process.
According to the latest guidelines, every ILT20 franchise will be required to secure at least 4 Afghanistan players and one player from Ireland. Teams will be allowed to sign a maximum of 11 overseas players, including 4 cricketers from Afghanistan and one from Ireland.
Fresh guidelines ahead of the 2026 ILT20 season
The directives are issued ahead of the fifth edition of the franchise league. This year’s ILT20 is scheduled to start from November 22 to with the final match on December 20. There will be 6 teams in the competition.
🚨 NEW RULES 🚨#ILT20 pic.twitter.com/7P2F7vvx8V
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) June 3, 2026
Teams which will be featured in ILT20: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Owned by Kolkata Knight Riders), Desert Vipers (Owned by Lancer Capital), Dubai Capitals (Owned by GMR Group), Gulf Giants (Owned by Adani Sportsline), MI Emirates (Owned by Reliance Industries / Mumbai Indians), Sharjah Warriorz (Owned by Capri Global).
ILT20 issues a detailed guideline on players' signing
Cricbuzz reported that these new rules were issued ahead of season 5. Along with 5 Afghans, every franchise will have to secure at least one Irish cricketer as well. According to the report, the ILT20 officials have released the following rules, which will take effect from the upcoming season:
- 11 Full Member players
- 4 UAE players (including at least 1 capped player and at least 1 under-23 player)
- 2 GCC players (including one from Saudi Arabia and one from Kuwait)
- 1 further player from an Associate nation (other than UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait players)
- Of the 11 minimum Full Member players, at least 4 must be from Afghanistan and at least 1 must be from Ireland.
The reports have shed some light on the salary cap as well. In the upcoming season of the ILT20, the maximum salary cap for a franchise could be USS 2 million, and the minimum could be USD 1.5 million on player salaries picked through retentions, direct signings, and the auction.
“According to an ILT20 note, accessed by Cricbuzz, the maximum salary cap for a franchise is USD 2 million, with each team mandatorily required to have a minimum of USD 1.5 million on player salaries picked through retentions, direct signings, and the auction. The minimum individual salary level for all players will be USD 10,000. There is no maximum individual player salary,” according to the report.
Signing using a Wildcard
The rules for the salary cap can be different if any of these franchises want to include a Wildcard player. Franchises are allowed to make signings through Wildcard as well.
For the wild-card category player, the salary cap can be increased. In a squad of 21-23 players, one can be added using this stipulation.
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