{
  "id": 11186360,
  "title": "Babar Azam sold for base price in ILT20 season 5 auction",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/babar-azam-sold-for-base-price-in-ilt20-season-5-auction",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T11:33:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/sport/babar-azam-sold-for-base-price-in-ilt20-season-5-auction-1.500694430"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dubai: During the DP World ILT20 Season 5 auction, Pakistani cricket sensation Babar Azam has been purchased for a base fee of $80,000 by the UAE-based franchise team, Desert Vipers. The right-handed batsman is presently engaged in Pakistan's President's Trophy Grade-I competition, maintaining his dedication to domestic cricket following a stellar performance in the 2023 Pakistan Super League. Babar led his team, Peshawar Zalmi, to victory in the HBL PSL 11 in May, securing his first championship as a captain and his second overall, following their inaugural win in 2017. He was also the leading run-scorer in the tournament, tallying 588 runs, including two centuries, which earned him the captaincy of the PSL Team of the Tournament. The 31-year-old has broadened his franchise cricket horizon by making his Big Bash League debut with Sydney Sixers during the BBL|15, signing as the Sixers' pre-draft overseas player. Babar contributed 202 runs at an average of 22.44 and a strike rate of 103.06 in 11 matches, including two half-centuries. His transfer to Desert Vipers enhances the ILT20 franchise with a seasoned top-order batsman boasting substantial international and franchise cricket credentials. His arrival is anticipated to spark considerable enthusiasm among Pakistan and UAE-based cricket enthusiasts. The ILT20 Season 5 auction will witness the six franchises bolstering their squads in preparation for the fifth edition of the competition.",
  "summary": "Dubai: Pakistan star Babar Azam has been sold for $80,000 to Desert Vipers during the DP World ILT20 Season 5 auction, adding one of the biggest names in world cricket to the UAE-based franchise league. The right-handed batter is currently competing in the President’s Trophy Grade-I in Pakistan, continuing his domestic commitments after an impressive campaign in this year’s Pakistan Super League.…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}