Gulf Giants’ Simon Helmot on Record-Breaking ILT20 Auction

The Gulf Giants, owned by Adani Sportsline, had a record-breaking afternoon at the ILT20 Season 5 Player Auction in Dubai, twice setting a new record for the tournament’s most expensive player.

The Gulf Giants initially used their Right-to-Match option to retain Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz for $310,000, making him the most expensive player in ILT20 Player Auction history. The record stood only briefly before England all-rounder Liam Livingstone signed with the Giants for $350,000.

The Gulf Giants also signed West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph for $230,000, as well as West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph, Namibia all-rounder David Wiese, Afghanistan batter Ibrahim Zadran, South Africa spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, and Ireland all-rounder Curtis Campher.

Livingstone brings international experience to a batting lineup that includes South Africa’s David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen, while Gurbaz provides the Giants with another explosive option at the top of the order.

Helmot stated that the next aim was to supplement that batting prowess with the appropriate bowling choices.

The Gulf Giants’ auction action follows a successful campaign by their development team, which won the ILT20 Development Tournament. The Season 5 group also reflects the progression from the development program to the senior squad, with UAE players like as Sagar Kalyan, Awais Ahmed, and Haider Razzaq among the auction acquisitions.

With the auction completed, Helmot stated that the focus will now shift to bringing the group together in preparation for the event.

Also Read :  Mohammed Siraj Gets John Campbell with a Stunning Delivery on ODI Return

ILT20 Season 5 will take place from November 22 to December 20, 2026 in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah.

Gulf Giants Season 5 Squad

Retentions / Direct Signings

Azmatullah Omarzai, Blessing Muzarabani, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen

Auction Signings

Liam Livingstone (USD 350,000), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (USD 310,000) (RTM), Alzarri Joseph (USD 230,000), Shamar Joseph (USD 80,000), David Wiese (USD 70,000), Ibrahim Zadran (USD 65,000), Tabraiz Shamsi (USD 40,000), Curtis Campher (USD 22,000), Dhruv Parashar (USD 10,000), Matiullah Khan (USD 10,000), Haider Razzaq (USD 10,000), Imran Mir (USD 10,000), Imtiaz Khan (USD 10,000), Meet Bhavsar (USD 10,000) (RTM), Shubham Ranjane (USD 10,000), Wahidullah Zadran (USD 10,000), Awais Ahmed (USD 10,000), Sagar Kalyan (USD 10,000), Alick Athanaze (USD 10,000)

Kunal Rajput