Pakistan’s top-order star Babar Azam is set for another major franchise assignment, as Desert Vipers secured him alongside Naseem Shah and Fakhar Zaman at the ILT20 Season 5 auction in Dubai. The results underline both the market value of experienced Pakistan players and the franchise’s clear intent to strengthen with proven international names.
Desert Vipers add three Pakistan internationals
At the auction held on Thursday, October 1, at the ICC Academy Indoors, the Desert Vipers completed one of the most notable Pakistan-focused picks of the event. Babar Azam was signed for USD 80,000, while Naseem Shah and Fakhar Zaman were also acquired at their base values, listed at PKR 2.2 crore each.
The triple signing is significant because it gives the franchise a mix of batting stability, new-ball pace, and left-handed top-order power. From a squad-building perspective, that combination covers multiple formats of game impact and offers balance across powerplay and middle overs.
| Player | Franchise | Auction Value |
|---|
| Babar Azam | Desert Vipers | USD 80,000 |
| Naseem Shah | Desert Vipers | Base price / PKR 2.2 crore |
| Fakhar Zaman | Desert Vipers | Base price / PKR 2.2 crore |
Babar’s market value remains strong despite recent struggles
Babar’s selection is especially notable because it comes during a period of mixed form in domestic cricket. He is currently featuring in the President’s Trophy Grade-I, where his batting has remained under scrutiny, yet his franchise value continues to hold due to his long-term record and consistency across previous seasons.
In the shortest format, Babar has generally been one of Pakistan’s most reliable top-order options. Even in phases where his recent scoring rate has come under the spotlight, franchises continue to value his career averages, technique, and ability to bat deep.
Why the pick still makes analytical sense
Teams in T20 leagues often look beyond short-term form and focus on repeatable performance indicators. Babar’s wicket management, boundary control, and ability to anchor innings make him a low-variance selection, which is important in auction environments where certainty is often premium-priced.
Desert Vipers also gained flexibility by securing two other Pakistan players who offer specialist roles. Naseem Shah’s pace and Fakhar Zaman’s aggressive scoring profile give the team different tactical options depending on pitch and match situation.
Other notable auction outcomes
The auction featured several competitive bids, with some of the biggest values going to bowlers and multi-skill players. Fazalhaq Farooqi emerged as one of the highest-priced buys at USD 380,000, while Richard Gleeson fetched USD 180,000 after a bidding contest with Gulf Giants.
Among the more strategic retention-style outcomes, David Payne was initially pushed to USD 150,000 by Dubai Capitals before Desert Vipers used their RTM option to keep him. That decision suggests the franchise prioritised balance and continuity in its bowling unit.
| Player | Team | Value |
|---|
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | MI Emirates | USD 380,000 |
| Richard Gleeson | Sharjah Warriorz | USD 180,000 |
| David Payne | Desert Vipers | USD 150,000 |
| Mohammad Nabi | Sharjah Warriorz | USD 140,000 |
| Phil Salt | Dubai Capitals | USD 80,000 |
What the auction pattern says about team strategy
Several franchises appeared to value established international names at controlled prices rather than engaging in prolonged bidding wars. That trend was visible in the signings of Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali, and Babar Azam, all of whom joined teams at or near base values.
For Desert Vipers, the outcome looks efficient on paper. They added a top-order anchor, a frontline pacer, and another specialist batter without overextending on auction spend, which should help them preserve purse flexibility for later squad adjustments.
Pakistan players continue to attract franchise demand
The presence of multiple Pakistan cricketers in the auction draw reflects their sustained appeal in franchise cricket. Even in a competitive market, players like Babar, Naseem, and Fakhar remain attractive because they bring international experience and role clarity.
The absence of bids from Indian-owned franchises for Pakistan players at this auction was also notable, but Desert Vipers’ approach showed that the market for high-profile Pakistan talent remains active in the UAE league structure.
Analytical takeaway
On balance, Desert Vipers may have delivered one of the more efficient auction hauls of the day. Babar Azam’s arrival gives them a proven top-order option, and the combined acquisition of Naseem Shah and Fakhar Zaman strengthens the squad across pace, powerplay overs, and batting depth.
If Babar converts recent domestic pressure into franchise consistency, the Vipers could get strong value from a player whose broader T20 record still makes him one of the safest technical investments in the auction pool.