UAE pacer Muhammad Rohid credits ILT20 for creating clear pathway to professional cricket
Left-arm fast bowler Muhammad Rohid, who secured a $140,000 deal with MI Emirates at the ILT20 Season 4 auction, says the Emirates Cricket Board-administered tournament has opened doors for the next generation of UAE cricketers through structured opportunities and exposure to international stars.
Muhammad Rohid: ILT20 is the perfect pathway for UAE cricketers
UAE left-arm pacer Muhammad Rohid believes the International League T20 has transformed the landscape for local cricketers, creating genuine opportunities for homegrown talent to develop their skills and achieve professional recognition.
Rohid's $140,000 acquisition by MI Emirates at the league's inaugural player auction on October 1, 2025, made him the second-most expensive UAE player behind Junaid Siddique ($170,000) and highlighted the growing investment franchises are making in local talent. The auction, which marked a shift from the league's previous draft-based system, saw Andre Fletcher become the most expensive player overall at $260,000.
MI Emirates, owned by Indiawin Sports, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited that also operates the Mumbai Indians IPL franchise and MI Cape Town in South Africa's SA20, invested heavily in the left-arm pacer ahead of Season 4, which ran from December 2, 2025 to January 4, 2026.
Structured opportunities
The Emirates Cricket Board-administered tournament, which began in 2023 and features six franchises competing across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, requires teams to include a minimum of four UAE players in their squad, with at least two local players mandatory in the playing XI for each match. This regulatory framework has created structured pathways for UAE cricketers to gain experience at the highest level.
"The biggest thing the ILT20 has done is create a clear pathway for UAE players. Young cricketers can now see that if you perform well, opportunities will come, whether it's with a franchise or the national team. That's incredibly inspiring, and I hope my journey encourages more youngsters to believe that they can achieve their dreams too," Rohid said.
Pressure performance
The tournament's rescheduling to avoid overlap with the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka meant Season 4 took place earlier than the league's usual January-February window. During the competition, Rohid delivered when it mattered most for MI Emirates, the 2024 champions who had defeated Dubai Capitals by 45 runs to claim the Season 2 title.
Just 10 minutes before the toss in Qualifier 2, Rohid learned he would be playing. Rising to the challenge, he produced match-winning figures of 2-19, removing Brandon McMullen and Liam Livingstone to demonstrate his ability to perform under pressure. MI Emirates ultimately reached the final before falling to Desert Vipers by 46 runs on January 4, 2026.
"The ILT20 has shaped me into a better cricketer. The biggest lesson I learnt was to stay ready because opportunities can come at any moment. The environment around the team taught me to trust my preparation, stay calm under pressure, and back my skills whenever I got my chance," Rohid explained.
Learning from the best
Sharing the dressing room with international stars such as Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Shakib Al Hasan proved invaluable for the young pacer's development.
"Being around players of that calibre is something young cricketers dream of. Watching how they prepare for matches, train with purpose and stay composed under pressure taught me a lot. They were always willing to share advice, and those small conversations gave me confidence and helped me improve my own game. Learning from players who have achieved so much in international cricket is an experience I'll always value," Rohid said.
National team ambitions
Since making his international debut, Rohid has represented the UAE in three ODIs and 17 T20Is, establishing himself as one of the country's most promising left-arm fast bowlers. His consistent performances earned him selection for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, where he appeared against New Zealand.
"Representing the UAE is always my biggest motivation, and I want to keep improving every season. My goal is to become a bowler my captain can trust in any situation, whether it's with the new ball or at the death. I'm grateful to MI Emirates for believing in me and giving me opportunities, and I hope to contribute even more in the seasons ahead," Rohid said.
