MI Emirates Sign Afghanistan Fast Bowler for US$380,000
Afghanistan fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi became the most expensive player in ILT20 auction history after MI Emirates signed him for US$380,000 during the Season 5 player auction in Dubai. The deal broke the previous auction record and made Farooqi the biggest purchase of the event.
Farooqi’s record price came during an auction that repeatedly produced new league records. Before his deal, Faf du Plessis had reached US$300,000 with Dubai Capitals, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz moved to Gulf Giants for US$310,000 through the Right-to-Match option. Liam Livingstone then raised the mark to US$350,000 before Farooqi’s US$380,000 deal established a new record.
The Afghanistan pacer will continue with MI Emirates, making his move particularly significant because he has now been retained by the franchise for another ILT20 campaign through the auction process. His pace-bowling role adds another international option to the MI Emirates attack ahead of Season 5.
England all-rounder Liam Livingstone was the second-highest purchase, joining Gulf Giants for US$350,000. Gulf Giants also secured Rahmanullah Gurbaz for US$310,000 using their Right-to-Match option, while Faf du Plessis became the fourth player to cross the US$300,000 mark after being signed by Dubai Capitals for US$300,000.
The auction also produced major deals for other international players. West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph joined Gulf Giants for US$230,000, while UAE batter Muhammad Waseem moved to MI Emirates for US$210,000 through the franchise’s Right-to-Match option.
Pakistan players also attracted attention during the auction. Babar Azam was signed by Desert Vipers at his US$80,000 base price, meaning the Pakistan star will make his ILT20 debut in Season 5. Naseem Shah, Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan also joined Desert Vipers at the same base price according to the completed squad reports.
The auction pool contained more than 200 players from 23 countries, while the six franchises entered the event with different available purses. The auction has now completed the squad-building process for the fifth season of the competition.
Farooqi’s US$380,000 deal will therefore go into the ILT20 record books as the highest auction price in the competition’s history. The Afghanistan pacer will now prepare to represent MI Emirates during the upcoming fifth season.
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