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Pakistan National Cricket Team’s Test captain Babar Azam is all set to be seen in action for the Desert Vipers in the upcoming edition of the International League T20 (ILT20) in the UAE.
Babar already made headlines by registering for the player auction, and now he got the new home in the UAE’s domestic franchise league despite his struggles with the bat across the formats. Earlier, England show hypocrisy as players set to get NOCs for Afghanistan Premier League.
Babar Azam, Naseem Shah and Fakhar Zaman join Desert Vipers for ILT20 Season 5
The Desert Vipers have snapped up three big Pakistan stars at their base price in the ILT20 Auction. Actually, Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Fakhar Zaman have all been picked by the franchise at the auction, which is taking place on Thursday, October 1, at the ICC Academy Indoors in Dubai.
The Desert Vipers have picked Babar Azam for $80,000 in the ILT20 Auction for the upcoming season. The right-handed batter remains one of the biggest stars in world cricket and will now be seen wearing the Desert Vipers jersey in ILT20 Season 5.
On the other hand, Naseem and Fakhar were listed at a price of PKR 2.2 crore each, and Desert Vipers didn’t have to go beyond their base price in the auction. Interestingly, there was no Indian-owned franchise bid for the Pakistan players at the ILT20 Auction on Thursday.
Babar Azam's struggles continue in President’s Trophy
Babar Azam is currently playing in the President’s Trophy Grade-I in Pakistan. However, the right-hander has been making headlines not only for his batting show but also for his poor form and surprising behaviour with the fans during the first-class tournament.
Meanwhile, several international stars found new teams in the ILT20 auction, some players returned to familiar franchises, while others sparked intense bidding battles. Amid this, Ishan Kishan warns India against taking Pakistan lightly in Gold Medal clash at Asian Games 2026.
Here are the attractive deals from the ILT20 Auction:
- Aneurin Donald – Desert Vipers – USD 40,000: The England batter was picked by Desert Vipers at his base price after impressing with his recent performances.
- David Payne – Desert Vipers – USD 150,000: Dubai Capitals won the bid for the England seamer at USD 150,000, but Desert Vipers used their RTM and kept Payne.
- Adil Rashid – Sharjah Warriorz – USD 80,000: The veteran England spinner returned to Sharjah Warriorz at his base price.
- Fazalhaq Farooqi – MI Emirates – USD 380,000: The Afghanistan pacer was one of the biggest buys. MI Emirates eventually won a fierce bidding battle for USD 380,000.
- Phil Salt – Dubai Capitals – USD 80,000: Capitals picked the explosive England opener for USD 80,000, with ADKR choosing not to use their RTM.
- Mohammad Nabi – Sharjah Warriorz – USD 140,000: Warriorz beat ADKR to sign the experienced Afghanistan all-rounder.
- Moeen Ali – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – USD 80,000: The England all-rounder joined ADKR at his base price.
- Andre Fletcher – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – USD 40,000: The West Indies wicketkeeper-batter was also picked by ADKR.
- Darwish Rasooli – Dubai Capitals – USD 10,000: Capitals signed the Afghanistan batter without any competing bid.
- Sediq Atal – Dubai Capitals – USD 70,000: Capitals eventually won a three-way battle involving ADKR and Sharjah Warriorz.
- Kusal Perera – MI Emirates – USD 40,000: The Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter was picked by MI Emirates.
- Richard Gleeson – Sharjah Warriorz – USD 180,000: Warriorz won a bidding battle with Gulf Giants for the England fast bowler.
- Arab Gul – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – USD 80,000: The Afghanistan mystery spinner was picked by ADKR.
- Jakeem Pollard – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – USD 10,000: The emerging CPL player joined ADKR at his base price.
- Gulbadin Naib – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – USD 75,000: ADKR beat Dubai Capitals to sign the Afghanistan all-rounder.
- Mark Adair – Dubai Capitals – USD 55,000: Capitals won the battle with ADKR for the Ireland seamer.
- Karim Janat – Dubai Capitals – USD 40,000: The Afghanistan all-rounder was picked by Capitals at his base price.
