Babar Azam Joins Desert Vipers at Base Price in ILT20 Season 5 Auction
Pakistan's cricket superstar Babar Azam, 31, has been acquired by Desert Vipers for his base price of $80,000 during the DP World ILT20 Season 5 Player Auction held today, October 1, 2026, in Dubai.
Dubai witnessed a significant moment in franchise cricket today as Pakistan's prolific batter, Babar Azam, was snapped up by Desert Vipers for $80,000, his base price, at the DP World International League T20 (ILT20) Season 5 Player Auction. The acquisition, which took place at the ICC Academy Indoors, sees the former Pakistan captain make his much-anticipated entry into the UAE-based T20 competition. Babar Azam Wicket Video: Pakistan Star Batter Falls For 4 To Register Back-To-Back Failures on First-Class Comeback.
Babar Azam Joins Desert Vipers
👑 is a 𝐕𝐈𝐏𝐄𝐑 now 🐍#DesertVipers #FangsOut #DPWorldILT20Auction pic.twitter.com/wR5Upr1sB8
— Desert Vipers (@TheDesertVipers) October 1, 2026
The move is expected to significantly bolster the Desert Vipers' top order as they look to defend their title in the upcoming season. Babar Azam, 31, joins a squad that also secured other prominent Pakistani talents, including pace sensation Naseem Shah and explosive opener Fakhar Zaman, both also bought at their base prices.
Star Power for Desert Vipers
Babar Azam's inclusion adds immense star power and experience to the Desert Vipers. Renowned for his elegant stroke play and consistent run-scoring, Azam has an impressive T20 record. He has amassed 4,380 runs from 109 innings at an average of 37.28, making him a prolific run-scorer in Pakistan Super League (PSL) history.
His recent form has been exceptional; he led Peshawar Zalmi to the HBL PSL 11 title in May 2026, finishing as the leading run-scorer with 588 runs, including two centuries. Earlier this year, he also made his Big Bash League (BBL) debut with Sydney Sixers during BBL|15, scoring 202 runs in 11 matches, featuring two half-centuries.
ILT20 Season 5 Overview
The DP World ILT20 Season 5 is scheduled to run from November 22 to December 20, 2026, across three prominent venues in the UAE: Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Dubai International Stadium, and Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The tournament will feature six franchises competing in a total of 34 matches, including 30 league games and four playoffs. Angry Babar Azam Throws Away Fan's Phone After Being Approched for On-field Selfie, Video Goes Viral.
Teams entered the auction with varying purses, aiming to finalize squads of 18 to 23 players, adhering to specific nationality quotas designed to foster both Full Member and Associate cricket. Each squad must include at least 11 players from ICC Full Member nations (with specific requirements for Afghan and Irish players), a minimum of four UAE players, and one player each from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Babar Azam's arrival in the ILT20 is a significant coup for the league and the Desert Vipers, promising a thrilling season ahead as the Pakistani maestro aims to make an immediate impact on UAE shores. His consistent performances and leadership qualities are expected to be a major asset for the Vipers in their quest for another title.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 01, 2026 08:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
