Babar Azam sold to Desert Vipers in ILT20 Auction 2026. Image Credits: AFPBabar Azam is set to make his long-awaited entry into the International League T20 after being picked by Desert Vipers for the upcoming season. The Pakistan star attracted an opening bid at his base price, but the auction produced no competing offer for his services. Notably, Babar was sold to the defending champions of the tournament.Babar Azam Booked By Desert Vipers For Maiden ILT20 StintBabar Azam entered the ILT20 auction with a base price of USD 80,000, with Desert Vipers opening the bidding for the former Pakistan captain. No rival franchise followed with another bid, allowing Vipers to secure Babar at his base price.The move will mark Babar Azam's maiden ILT20 appearance, adding one of Pakistan's most recognisable batting names to the reigning champions' squad. Desert Vipers have previously benefited from the presence of Pakistani players, and Babar now becomes their latest Pakistan recruit for the tournament.Desert Vipers @TheDesertVipers 👑 is a 𝐕𝐈𝐏𝐄𝐑 now 🐍 #DesertVipers #FangsOut #DPWorldILT20Auction Oct 1, 2026, 5:03 PM Also Read- No Pakistan Player Included As SA20 Auction List Of 156 Players ReleasedThe timing also gives Babar an opportunity to enter the UAE-based competition as the defending champions prepare to begin their title defence. The ILT20 Season 5 will run from November 22 to December 20, 2026, featuring 34 matches across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.As the bidding went in the ILT20 auction table, Babar Azam was grabbed for his base price where players like Rahmanullah Gurbaz got bids as high as 310,000 USD and Faf du Plessis sold for 300K USD.Babar Azam's T20 exploits before ILT20 stintBabar Azam has built a strong record across T20 franchise cricket, particularly in the PSL and Vitality Blast. He has scored 4,380 runs in 111 PSL matches at an average of 47.09, including four centuries and 39 fifties. In the Vitality Blast, he has added 796 runs from 20 matches at a strike rate of 146.05.His franchise record also includes notable campaigns in the Lanka Premier League and Bangladesh Premier League. Babar has scored 261 runs in eight LPL matches, including a century, while his 368 runs in 11 BPL matches have come at an average of 40.88.His latest franchise campaign came in the PSL 2026, where Babar represented Peshawar Zalmi. He finished with 588 runs in 11 innings at an average of 73.50 and a strike rate of 145.91. His campaign included two centuries, a 103 off 59 balls in Qualifier 1 and a 100 off 52 against Quetta Gladiators, along with scores of 87 and 71.Also Read- Naman Dhir Replaces Washington Sundar In India's T20I Squad vs West Indies
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