Pakistan Star Secured for US$80,000 at ILT20 Auction
Pakistan batter Babar Azam has officially joined Desert Vipers for the upcoming DP World ILT20 Season 5 after being selected at the player auction in Dubai. Babar was bought for US$80,000, his base price, and will make his debut in the UAE-based competition.
Babar entered the auction in the Global Cricket Icons category, which carried the highest base price of US$80,000. Desert Vipers secured his services without a competing bid, giving the franchise one of the most recognizable names in Pakistan cricket for the fifth edition of the tournament.
The move is significant because Babar has extensive experience in international and franchise T20 cricket, but he had not previously featured in the ILT20. His arrival adds another high-profile batter to the Desert Vipers squad as the franchise prepares for the new season.
Babar will also be joined at Desert Vipers by fellow Pakistan players Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan, who were also secured for US$80,000 each at the auction. The franchise has therefore assembled a substantial group of Pakistan internationals for Season 5.
The ILT20 auction produced several major deals. Afghanistan fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi became the most expensive player in the auction after MI Emirates purchased him for US$380,000. Liam Livingstone joined Gulf Giants for US$350,000, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz was retained by the Giants for US$310,000 through their Right to Match option.
ILT20 Season 5 is scheduled to take place in the UAE from November 22 to December 20. Babar’s inclusion gives Desert Vipers another major batting option as the franchise prepares for a tournament featuring several established international T20 stars.
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