(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Pakistani Players Who Secured Deals in ILT20 Auction 2025
Oct 2, 2025 | 9:25 am
The first-ever International League T20 (ILT20) auction turned into a historic night for cricket in the UAE. For Pakistan, the event brought both joy and disappointment as some players landed contracts while others surprisingly went unsold.
Big Wins for Pakistan Stars
The Desert Vipers were the most active in securing Pakistani talent. They invested USD 80,000 each to bring in Fakhar Zaman and pace sensation Naseem Shah. Fakhar also made history as the first overseas star picked in the ILT20 auction, while Naseem is set for his league debut this winter.
The Vipers further added young Hasan Nawaz in the accelerated round for USD 40,000, showing faith in Pakistan’s rising talent.
Another highlight came when MI Emirates grabbed Usman Khan for USD 10,000 in the accelerated round. Despite not being part of Pakistan’s current international setup, Usman remains a highly sought-after name in franchise cricket.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders made a surprise wildcard pick by signing mystery spinner Usman Tariq, who impressed earlier this year in the Caribbean Premier League.
Big Names Go Unsold
While some Pakistani players celebrated, others faced disappointment. Established stars such as Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Saim Ayub, and Mohammad Haris were left unsold in the USD 80,000 category.
Pakistani Players Picked in ILT20 Auction 2025
| Player | Team | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Fakhar Zaman | Desert Vipers | 80,000 |
| Naseem Shah | Desert Vipers | 80,000 |
| Hasan Nawaz | Desert Vipers | 40,000 |
| Usman Khan | MI Emirates | 10,000 |
| Usman Tariq | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Wildcard |
What’s Next?
Season 4 of the ILT20 will run from December 2, 2025, to January 4, 2026, across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. Fakhar Zaman and Naseem Shah are set to be Pakistan’s marquee names, while Usman Tariq’s debut adds a fresh twist to the competition.
Whether future auctions open more doors for Pakistani cricketers remains to be seen, but one thing is clear — Pakistan’s presence has already become a major talking point in the league’s journey.
