{
  "id": 11204598,
  "title": "ILT20 Auction: Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Fakhar Zaman Sold At Base Price As No Indian-Owned Franchise Bids For Pakistan Stars; VIDEO",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/ilt20-auction-babar-azam-naseem-shah-fakhar-zaman-sold-at-base-price",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T13:20:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/ilt20-auction-babar-azam-naseem-shah-fakhar-zaman-sold-at-base-price-as-no-indian-owned-franchise-bids-for-pakistan-stars-video"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Desert Vipers secured three Pakistan stars, Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Fakhar Zaman, in the ILT20 Season 5 auction for approximately ₹76 lakh each. None of the Indian-owned franchises showed interest in bidding for these players, allowing the UAE-based team to acquire the trio at their base price of PKR 2.2 crore each. Babar Azam, a renowned Pakistani batsman, recently led Peshawar Zalmi to the Pakistan Super League title and was named captain of the PSL Team of the Tournament. Naseem Shah and Fakhar Zaman are skilled fast bowlers and batsmen, respectively. The signings significantly bolster the Desert Vipers' lineup as they gear up for the upcoming ILT20 season.",
  "summary": "Desert Vipers sign three Pakistan stars for approximately ₹76 lakh each in the ILT20 Season 5 auction as no Indian-owned franchise show interest in buying them. Pakistani star cricketers Babar Azam, Naseem Shah and Fakhar Zaman were sold at their base price in the ILT20 Season 5 auction after Desert Vipers signed all the three players for PKR 2.2 crore each (approximately ₹76 lakh each). No…",
  "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."
}