Image Source: X
Most Expensive ILT20 Players: The auction for Season 5 of the International League T20 (ILT20), held in Dubai, has created a buzz in the T20 cricket world. Afghanistan's star left-arm fast bowler, Fazalhaq Farooqi, has made history at this auction. Known for his lethal swing and precision bowling during the death overs in the T20 format, Farooqi has now become the most expensive player in the tournament's history.
Fazalhaq Farooqi Breaks Andre Fletcher’s All-Time ILT20 Record
Image Source: X
The major highlight of the auction was the historic bid placed on Fazalhaq Farooqi. MI Emirates signed the Afghan pacer for a massive sum of USD 380,000.
With this move, Farooqi easily shattered the previous record held by explosive West Indies batter Andre Fletcher. Fletcher had been bought by MI Emirates for USD 260,000 in Season 4. The USD 120,000 surge in Farooqi's price tag demonstrates the rapidly growing demand in modern T20 cricket for bowlers who can swing the ball early on and contain runs during the death overs.
Gulf Giants Secure Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Liam Livingstone in Big Signings
Image Source: X
Gulf Giants also appeared quite aggressive early in the auction. Making excellent use of their 'Right-to-Match' (RTM) card, they retained explosive Afghan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz for USD 310,000.
Immediately after that, they bolstered their middle order by acquiring England all-rounder Liam Livingstone for $350,000.However, the biggest highlight of the day ultimately remained MI Emirates' record-breaking bid for Farooqi.
Also Read: Asian Games 2026 Final: IND vs PAK Match Date, Time, Venue & Live Streaming
MI Emirates Aggressive Strategy: Record Bid for UAE’s Muhammad Waseem
Image Source: X
Beyond acquiring Farooqi, MI Emirates impressed everyone with their strategy throughout the auction:
- Muhammad Waseem (UAE): Emirates used their RTM card for UAE opener Muhammad Waseem and retained him for US$210,000. This is the highest fee ever paid to an Associate player in the history of the ILT20.
- Chris Jordan (England): Experienced death-overs bowler Chris Jordan was added to the squad for $170,000.
- AM Ghazanfar (Afghanistan): They retained the young and talented Afghan spinner Ghazanfar for $150,000.
Key Signings by Other ILT20 Franchises
Image Source: X
Other teams also placed their bets on star players during the auction:
- Dubai Capitals: Signed legendary South African batter Faf du Plessis for $300,000.
- Gulf Giants: Bought West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph for $230,000.
- Desert Vipers: The Vipers have assembled a highly balanced and strong squad this time, featuring international stars such as Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Fakhar Zaman, and Shadab Khan.
A Historic Day for Afghan Cricket and ILT20
This auction highlights the growing demand for Asian—and specifically Afghan—players in T20 cricket. With new records set and balanced squads formed, the upcoming season of the ILT20 promises to be incredibly exciting for the audience.
Also Read: Asian Games Final: IND vs PAK Gold Medal Match, Head to Head Record & History
Disclaimer
Possible11 is a sports news and analysis platform designed purely for entertainment and educational purposes. All match previews, player insights, and team analyses are based on publicly available information and expert opinions. We do not promote or support betting, gambling, or real-money gaming in any form. Users are encouraged to enjoy our content responsibly and use it for informational purposes only.
Give Your Feedback