Babar Azam Desert Vipers is now official after the Pakistan star was bought for his $80,000 base price ahead of ILT20 Season 5.
DUBAI: Babar Azam Desert Vipers became one of the headline signings of the DP World ILT20 Season 5 auction after the defending champions secured the Pakistan batter for $80,000, his base price.
The auction was held at the ICC Academy in Dubai on October 1, with Babar set to make his first appearance in the UAE-based league.
Babar joins defending champions at base price
The 31-year-old attracted no competing bid and was picked up by Desert Vipers for $80,000. Despite the relatively modest auction price compared with some of the day’s biggest deals, his signing adds a high-profile international batter to a squad preparing to defend its ILT20 title.
Babar has extensive white-ball experience. Desert Vipers highlighted his 122 from 59 balls against South Africa in a T20 international in Centurion in 2021, while he also scored 474 runs during the 2019 Cricket World Cup, then a Pakistan record for a single edition of the tournament.
The Babar Azam Desert Vipers move also marks his first ILT20 campaign, giving UAE spectators another established international name to watch when Season 5 begins.
Vipers retain strong Pakistan core
Babar will not be the only Pakistan player in the Desert Vipers squad. Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan were also secured for $80,000 each during the auction, while the franchise retained a substantial core from the side that won the previous ILT20 title.
Desert Vipers bought 18 players at the auction, with the franchise saying ten members of its title-winning squad would return for the new season. England seamer David Payne was the Vipers’ most expensive purchase of the day.
Farooqi leads the biggest auction deals
Babar’s $80,000 price was well below the auction’s largest bids. Afghanistan fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi joined MI Emirates for a record $380,000, while England’s Liam Livingstone went to Gulf Giants for $350,000.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz was secured for $310,000 and former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis joined Dubai Capitals for $300,000. UAE captain Muhammad Waseem was acquired by MI Emirates for $210,000, a record auction price for a UAE player.
When does ILT20 Season 5 start?
The fifth ILT20 season is scheduled from November 21 to December 20, 2026, with matches taking place at Dubai International Stadium, Sharjah Cricket Stadium and Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The Babar Azam Desert Vipers signing gives the defending champions another experienced top-order option while adding significant interest for Pakistan cricket followers across the UAE.
Impact to expect
Babar’s arrival could strengthen the Vipers’ batting options while increasing attention around their title defence. For the ILT20, signing one of Pakistan’s best-known cricketers also adds another recognisable international name to a tournament built around global franchise talent.
