Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller have been signed by the Gulf Giants in the pre-auction signings for the upcoming ILT20 season. New Zealand batter Finn Allen will continue his association with the Knight Riders franchise as the Abu Dhabi franchise has signed him.

The 35-year-old Klaasen, who plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, is a feared batter in the T20 format. This season he scored 624 runs from 15 games at an average of 48 and a strike rate of 160 with six half-centuries. The veteran wicketkeeper batter has retired from international cricket after 122 international matches, with a total of 3245 runs, including four centuries and 16 fifties.

The left-handed batter David Miller, who has played for various sides in franchise cricket, will turn out for the Giants this year. Miller had a poor IPL 2026 season for Delhi Capitals, scoring 211 runs from 11 games with just a single fifty. Zimbabwe seamer Blessing Muzarabani and Afghanistan star Azmatullah Omarzai are also coming back to play for the side.

MI Emirates have completed the signing of Sherfane Rutherfordwho also plays for MI in the IPL. Rashid Khan, Nicholas Pooran, and Romario Shepherd are also returning. Veteran Zimbabwe star Sikandar Raza will be seen playing for Sharjah Warriors once more, while Adam Milne, Waqar Salamkheil, and James Vince have been signed for the upcoming season.

Marcus Stoinis and Noor Ahmed will be seen playing for the Dubai Capitals this season, with Mustafizur Rahman and West Indian star Rovman Powell making their return. Former West Indian skipper Jason Holder, who led LA Knight Riders to their first MLC title win, will be seen with Sunil Narine in the Abu Dhabi colours.

Finally, Desert Vipers have signed Shimron Hetmyer and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The player auction will be held on 1st October, and cricketers have until 12th September to register themselves for the auction. The season is set to kick off in November 2026 with the final to be held in December.

Pre-auction signings announced by teams for ILT20 2026 season

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

Jason HolderFinn Allen, and Matthew Tromp – Pre-auction signings

Sunil Narine – Returning player

Desert Vipers

Shimron Hetmyer and Mujeeb Ur Rahman- Pre-auction signings

Dan Lawrence and Andries Gous – Returning players

Dubai Capitals

Marcus Stoinis and Noor Ahmad – Pre-auction signings

Mustafizur Rahman and Rovman Powell – Returning players

Gulf Giants

Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller – Pre-auction signings

Azmatullah Omarzai and Blessing Muzarabani – Returning players

MI Emirates

Sherfane Rutherford – Pre-auction signing

Nicholas Pooran, Rashid Khan, Romario Shepherd – Returning players

Sharjah Warriorz

Adam Milne, Waqar Salamkheil, James Vince – Pre-auction signings

Sikandar Raza – Returning player.