DUBAI: Pakistan batter Babar Azam has reportedly entered the player pool for the DP World ILT20 Season 5 auction, putting the UAE-based franchise league in contention as his next T20 opportunity.
Babar’s reported registration comes ahead of the auction scheduled for October 1 at the ICC Academy in Dubai. The move does not mean he has signed for an ILT20 franchise. A team would still need to select him at the auction, while his availability would also be subject to the necessary clearances.
The report of his registration was carried by Cricket Addictor and subsequently reported by Gulf News. There has been no official ILT20 announcement confirming Babar’s registration by name, so his status should currently be treated as reported rather than confirmed.
Auction brings Babar into the UAE picture
The timing puts Babar among the names to watch before the fifth ILT20 season.
The league’s official auction information confirms that player registrations ran from July through September, with the registration deadline set for September 12. The auction will determine the remaining players for the six franchises.
Each franchise has a US$1.3 million auction purse, in addition to any money left from the earlier direct-signing and retention budget. Squads must ultimately contain between 18 and 23 players.
The six teams competing in Season 5 are Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriorz. The franchises have already made their pre-auction signings, with several established international players returning to the competition.
Babar has previously played franchise cricket outside Pakistan, including the Pakistan Super League and Australia’s Big Bash League. His reported ILT20 registration therefore represents a possible new destination in his T20 career, rather than his first experience of overseas franchise cricket.
Previous ILT20 interest had complications
Babar’s potential arrival in the UAE has been discussed previously, but earlier attempts to bring him into the ILT20 reportedly encountered issues involving the PCB’s No Objection Certificate (NOC), image rights and payment terms. Those issues are part of the background to the current uncertainty and mean registration alone should not be interpreted as confirmation of a final deal.
The ILT20’s current rules also specifically provide for replacements if a player does not receive an NOC, underlining the importance of player availability and board clearance in the final squad process.
Babar has just returned to domestic first-class cricket
The ILT20 development comes at a time when Babar has returned to Pakistan’s domestic red-ball competition.
The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed on September 23 that Babar had joined Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) for the third round of the President’s Trophy Grade-I. On September 24, the PCB reported that he was back in first-class action against Khan Research Laboratories at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium.
It is Babar’s first domestic first-class appearance since 2019. He had last played the format for Central Punjab in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final in December that year.
The President’s Trophy itself is part of Pakistan’s 2026-27 domestic season and is scheduled to run through October 28.
ILT20 Season 5 starts in November
The official ILT20 schedule places the fifth season from November 21 to December 20, 2026, with matches being played across the UAE. The auction will take place in Dubai several weeks before the tournament begins.
For UAE cricket followers, Babar’s reported registration adds another high-profile name to an already established international lineup. But the key question will be whether a franchise selects him on October 1 and whether all required clearances are secured.
Until those steps are completed, Babar Azam’s appearance in ILT20 Season 5 remains a possibility rather than a confirmed UAE move.
Is Babar Azam joining the ILT20 in 2026?
Babar Azam has reportedly registered for the ILT20 Season 5 auction, but his participation in the tournament is not confirmed. He would still need to be selected by a franchise and meet the applicable availability and clearance requirements.
When is the ILT20 auction?
The DP World ILT20 Season 5 player auction is scheduled for October 1, 2026, at the ICC Academy in Dubai.
When does ILT20 Season 5 begin?
The official schedule lists Season 5 from November 21 through December 20, 2026.
Which ILT20 teams could sign Babar Azam?
There are six franchises: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriorz. Babar has not been officially assigned to any of them.
Has Babar Azam played in the ILT20 before?
The current reporting indicates that Babar has not previously played in the ILT20. His previous franchise experience includes the PSL and BBL.
Why is Babar Azam’s ILT20 participation uncertain?
Earlier attempts to bring Babar into the competition reportedly faced issues involving the PCB’s NOC, image rights and payment terms. The final situation will depend on the relevant clearances and auction process.
Which domestic team is Babar Azam currently representing?
Babar has joined OGDCL as a guest player in Pakistan’s President’s Trophy Grade-I. The PCB confirmed his participation in the third round beginning September 24.
