DP World ILT20 player auction throws up surprises

It was a long walk through the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach hotel to the room where the DP World ILT20 player auction was to be held. In the corridors outside there was earnest talk and an air of expectancy. Inside, it was cool and fairly empty. On the raised stage, Richard Madley, the auctioneer, was a bundle of energy as he appeared to be making last-minute adjustments to his notes. Immediately in front and below him, seven casino-style tables were positioned, one each for the six franchise teams and one for dignitaries who would take part in the proceedings.

At the allotted start time of 2 p.m. there was more activity outside the room than within it. Simon Doull, the master of ceremonies, stood alone at the podium waiting for the signal to start. He was less agitated than when he had been left high and dry as MC of the awards ceremony after the Asia Cup final. There, he was caught in the middle of the stand-off between the Indian team and the Pakistan chair of the Asian Cricket Council, who was due to present the trophy and medals. The row has rumbled on, re-emerging at the ACC AGM the day after the final. It is understood that the trophy remains in the ACC offices.

The corridors outside the auction room gradually emptied as the participants, attendees and media took their seats. At each end of the fenced-off area containing the bidders, the auctioneer and his support team, two large screens displayed the amount of dollars which each franchise had available to spend, along with the number of overseas and total players bought to date. Each squad are required to secure a minimum of 19 and up to a maximum of 21 players. These are to be split with a minimum of 11 from ICC Full Member nations, four from