The inaugural ILT20 player auction on Wednesday marked a historic moment for European cricket outside England, as five players (two for Ireland, two from Scotland and one from Netherlands) secured lucrative deals demonstrating the growing prominence of talent in the region.

Scotland all-rounder Brandon McMullen emerged as one of the most sought after players commanding $110,000 from Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, making him the highest-priced non-English European player in the auction. The 25-year-old substantial price tag reflects his rapid rise in international cricket, having become the second-fastest  player to reach 1,000 ODI runs and 50 wickets doing so in only 33 matches, only behind Ryan Ten Doeschate.

Ireland's Lorcan Tucker was snapped up by Gulf Giants at his base price of $100,00. After scoring a sublime 50 in the first game against England at Malahide in the recently concluded T20I series.

Mark Adair was retained by Gulf Giants, continuing his association with the franchise that has provided him with opportunities in the elite T20 competition.

Tom Bruce was picked up in a $80,000 deal with Desert Vipers. His versatility as a middle-order batsman and his big-hitting abilities provides Desert Vipers with additional depth in their batting lineup and gives them a player with plenty of international cricket experience for New Zealand before his switch to Scotland this year.

Netherlands' left arm pacer, Fred Klaassen's fetched a $40,000 bid from Gulf Giants.

The Broader Context

The success of European players outside the boundaries of England and Ireland in the ILT20 auction reflects the league's unique commitment to associate nation development. The ILT20 mandates that franchises include at least two players from Associate nations in their playing XI, creating guaranteed opportunities for cricketers from developing nations. This policy has proven transformative for European cricket, providing players with exposure to world-class coaching and competitive environments. The 25/26 edition is set to begin on 2 December 2025, with the finals scheduled for 4 January 2026