No Pakistani Players in ILT20 Season 4 – Will the Auction Change That?

All six teams participating in the upcoming Season 4 of the International League T20 (ILT20 Season 4) have officially revealed the first set of players they’ve retained or signed. However, one thing that has surprised many cricket fans is the complete absence of Pakistani players in these initial lists.

One of the most noticeable examples is the Desert Vipers. In previous seasons, this team included several big names from Pakistan. But this time, there are no Pakistani cricketers in their early squad announcement. Tom Moody, the team’s Director of Cricket, addressed this issue and assured fans that Pakistani players are still very much in their long-term plans.

“With only eight retention slots available, it was tough to bring back everyone,” Moody explained. “We’ve worked hard to build a strong core team over the past three seasons, and keeping that consistency is important. But let me be clear—we value our connection with Pakistani cricketers. Their skill and talent are undeniable, and they will be seriously considered during the auction.”

ALSO READMI vs KKR IPL 2022 56th Match Live Score, Indian Premier League 2022

The ILT20, which is hosted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has quickly gained a reputation as one of the best T20 leagues outside of India’s IPL and Australia’s Big Bash League. The upcoming fourth season will feature global T20 stars like Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Sam Curran, Moeen Ali, and Wanindu Hasaranga. Other well-known players like Luke Wood, Chris Woakes, and Waqar Salamkheil have also been picked by various teams.

Despite Pakistan’s strong talent in T20 cricket, no players from the country have been included in any of the six squads so far. This is surprising for many, especially because Pakistani players like Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, and Mohammad Amir have delivered memorable performances in past ILT20 seasons.

For now, Pakistani players are missing from ILT20 Season 4, but this may not be the final outcome. The player auction, scheduled for September, could bring big changes. Franchises will get another opportunity to reshape their squads, and many are still keeping an eye on top Pakistani talent.

This year, the ILT20 has shifted to a new window—from December to January—which could work in favor of Pakistani cricketers. While many of them also play in Australia’s BBL during that time, the adjusted schedule might give them a chance to participate in both tournaments, depending on their availability and fitness.

It all comes down to the draft. Which players put their names forward? Which teams need what kind of talent? Everything will be clearer after the auction.

Until then, Pakistani fans can only wait and hope that their favorite players will return to this exciting league. After all, the ILT20 is growing fast, and having Pakistani stars on board would not only boost the competition’s quality but also attract millions of fans from around the world.

READ MORE: Sri Lanka Announces 17-Member Squad for T20 Series Against Bangladesh