Afghan bowler shatters ILT20 auction record

Afghanistan fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi made ILT20 history, becoming the most expensive player ever at $380,000 after being acquired by MI Emirates. The recent auction saw four players surpass the previous record of $260,000, demonstrating franchises' strong commitment to enhancing their rosters.

Liam Livingstone secured a $350,000 deal with Gulf Giants, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz also joined the Giants for $310,000. Faf du Plessis was acquired by Dubai Capitals for $300,000. These high-value signings underscore the increasing recognition of Afghan cricket talent.

The fifth season of the ILT20 is slated to run from November 21 to December 20, 2026. Defending champions Desert Vipers significantly strengthened their lineup by signing four Pakistani internationals, including Babar Azam and Naseem Shah, at their base price of $80,000.

Muhammad Waseem became the highest-priced UAE player in the league's history, secured by MI Emirates for $210,000. Other UAE talents like Alishan Sharafu and Muhammad Rohid also attracted considerable bids, reflecting a broader investment in local players.

Franchises also targeted talent from Associate Member nations. USA's Amshi De Silva and Hassan Khan secured deals worth $100,000 and $90,000 respectively. Scotland's Brandon McMullen and Namibia's David Wiese were also signed, showcasing the league's international appeal.

MI Emirates led auction spending with $2 million, closely followed by Gulf Giants at $1.972 million. The auction drew notable figures from the cricket world, including ambassador Brett Lee and former stars like AB de Villiers and Shoaib Malik.