Pakistan batting star Babar Azam, 31, was picked up by Desert Vipers at his base price of $80,000 during the ILT20 Season 5 player auction, held under the UAE Cricket Board. The Dubai-based franchise league has grown into one of the Gulf's premier T20 cricket competitions.
Azam recently captained Peshawar Zalmi to the HBL PSL 11 title in May 2026, finishing the campaign with 588 runs and two centuries, and was subsequently named in the PSL Team of the Tournament.
He also has experience in Australia's Big Bash League, having featured for the Sydney Sixers during BBL|15, where he scored 202 runs in 11 matches at an average of 22.44 and a strike rate of 103.06.
Azam is currently competing in Pakistan's President's Trophy Grade-I tournament and is expected to travel to the UAE to join the Desert Vipers camp once that competition concludes.
His arrival at Desert Vipers has generated strong interest among cricket fans in both Pakistan and the UAE, with the franchise expected to lean on his experience and consistency for the upcoming season. The ILT20 Season 5 auction continues as other franchises finalise their squads with further international signings.