Pakistan’s cricketing sensation, Babar Azam, is poised to make his maiden appearance in the International League T20 (ILT20), with reports confirming his registration for the league’s Season 5 player auction.
The highly anticipated auction is set to take place on October 1, 2026, at the ICC Academy indoor facility in Dubai, preceding the tournament’s start on November 22.
The news has sent ripples through the cricketing world, as the former Pakistan captain, currently 31 years old, has been a marquee player in various global T20 leagues but has yet to feature in the ILT20. While an official confirmation from the league or Babar Azam himself is still awaited, report suggest his name is among the prominent players registered for the auction.
Potential Destination: Desert Vipers?
Speculation is rife regarding which of the six franchises might secure the services of the prolific right-hander. According to Cricket Addictor, from September 26, 2026, have specifically linked Babar Azam with the Desert Vipers for the 2026-27 season, suggesting a potential new chapter for the batter in the UAE. However, ILT20 COO Mike Fordham remained tight-lipped when asked about Azam’s specific participation, only stating that a full list of players would be released in due course and confirming that “definitely some big name players have signed up for the auction.”
Previous attempts to bring Babar Azam into the ILT20 have reportedly fallen through due to issues surrounding No Objection Certificates (NOC) from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), image rights, and payment terms. With his reported registration this year, it appears these hurdles may have been addressed, paving the way for his inclusion.
ILT20 Season 5 Details
The fifth edition of the DP World ILT20 promises an exciting month of cricket across the UAE’s premier venues.
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Auction Date | October 1, 2026 |
| Tournament Dates | November 22 – December 20, 2026 |
| Venues | Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah |
| Franchise Purse | $1.3 million (Dh 4.77 million) per team |
Participating Teams
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
- Desert Vipers
- Dubai Capitals
- Gulf Giants
- MI Emirates
- Sharjah Warriorz
Each of these six franchises will enter the auction with a purse of $1.3 million to assemble their squads.
Babar Azam’s Recent Form and Franchise Commitments
Babar Azam recently returned to Pakistan’s domestic first-class cricket, representing Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) in the President’s Trophy Grade-I, marking his return to red-ball domestic cricket after nearly seven years. He has been a consistent performer in franchise cricket, captaining Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and making his Big Bash League (BBL) debut last season with the Sydney Sixers.
His potential move to the ILT20 could raise questions about his availability for the upcoming BBL season, given the overlapping schedules of global T20 leagues. As the October 1 auction draws near, all eyes will be on Dubai to see if Babar Azam indeed finds a new home in the UAE for ILT20 Season 5.