Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam has been picked by the Desert Vipers for $80,000 in the International League T20 (ILT20) Season 5 auction.
Babar was placed in the highest base-price category of $80,000 and was selected by the Desert Vipers at that price. The move marks Babar Azam’s first appearance in the ILT20, adding another major franchise league to his international cricket career.
The Desert Vipers, who are the defending champions, also secured several other Pakistani players during the auction. Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan were among the Pakistan stars picked by the franchise for $80,000 each.
Babar’s selection is expected to attract significant attention from cricket fans in the UAE and around the world. Known for his elegant batting style and consistency across formats, he remains one of Pakistan’s most recognizable cricket stars.
The ILT20 Season 5 auction featured more than 200 players, with several high-profile names attracting major bids. Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi became the most expensive player of the auction after being picked for $380,000, while England’s Liam Livingstone was sold for $350,000 and Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz for $310,000.
ILT20 Season 5 is scheduled to take place from November 21 to December 20, 2026. Babar’s participation will give fans an opportunity to watch the Pakistani batter compete in another major T20 franchise competition.
