Pakistan star batter Babar Azam has been signed by Desert Vipers for $80,000 at the DP World International League T20 (ILT20) Season 5 player auction in Dubai.
The deal marks Babar’s entry into the UAE-based franchise league for the first time, adding one of Pakistan’s leading international batters to the Desert Vipers squad. He was listed in the tournament’s highest auction price bracket of $80,000.
Babar is currently taking part in President’s Trophy Grade-I cricket in Pakistan and remains involved in domestic cricket. He also enjoyed a strong campaign in this year’s Pakistan Super League.
In May, Babar led Peshawar Zalmi to their second PSL title, following the franchise’s first championship in 2017. It was Babar’s first PSL title as captain.
He also finished the tournament as the leading run-scorer with 588 runs, including two centuries, and was named captain of the PSL Team of the Tournament.
His signing gives Desert Vipers an experienced top-order batter with extensive international and franchise cricket experience. Babar will also become one of the major attractions for Pakistani and UAE-based cricket fans during the upcoming ILT20 season.
The Season 5 auction featured more than 200 players from 23 countries, with franchises using the event to strengthen their squads ahead of the tournament. Players were divided into three base-price categories of $80,000, $40,000 and $10,000.
The ILT20 Season 5 is scheduled to be played in the UAE from November 2026, with six franchises competing in the tournament.