MI Emirates paid USD 380,000 for Afghan left-arm bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi during the ILT20 Season 5 Player Auction on October 1, 2026, at the ICC Academy Indoors in Dubai, marking him the most expensive acquisition in the league’s auction history.
Andre Fletcher, who was also with MI Emirates, had earlier set the price at USD 260,000 during the Season 4 auction. Farooqi’s price is USD 120,000 higher than the previous number, demonstrating the competition’s tremendous surge in demand for top fast bowlers.
The fact that the record changed hands three times before the auction concluded made the day even more memorable. Gulf Giants used the Right-to-Match card to acquire Rahmanullah Gurbaz for USD 310,000 before moving on to purchase Liam Livingstone for USD 350,000 through open bidding.
The day concluded with Farooqi’s hammer price of USD 380,000, the final high.
Who else made headlines at the ILT20 Season 5 auction?
Aside from the top three, several clubs made major investments. Gulf Giants signed Alzarri Joseph for USD 230,000, while Dubai Capitals signed Faf du Plessis for USD 300,000. Chris Jordan signed with MI Emirates for USD 170,000, while Richard Gleeson spent USD 180,000 to join Sharjah Warriorz.
In addition, Mohammad Nabi joined with Sharjah Warriorz for USD 140,000, and MI Emirates retained AM Ghazanfar on the Right-to-Match card for USD 150,000. Paul Walter signed with Sharjah Warriorz for USD 110,000, and Lizaad Williams joined MI Emirates.
Desert Vipers bought Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Fakhar Zaman, and Shadab Khan for a base price of USD 80,000, becoming a notable group primarily influenced by Pakistan. Naseem and Fakhar have rejoined the team, and Babar will make his ILT20 debut. The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders signed Moeen Ali for $80,000, Amshi De Silva for $100,000, and Alishan Sharafu for $110,000.
The remaining transactions included David Wiese signing with the Gulf Giants for USD 70,000, Max Holden joining the Dubai Capitals for USD 100,000, Aayan Khan signing with the Dubai Capitals for USD 95,000, and Dasun Shanaka being retained by the Dubai Capitals via Right-to-Match for USD 100,000. Brandon McMullen signed with Sharjah Warriorz for US$80,000.
What does Muhammad Waseem’s retention in this auction imply?
Muhammad Waseem became the most expensive UAE player in ILT20 auction history when MI Emirates utilised the Right-to-Match card to purchase him for USD 210,000.
Because of the retention, MI Emirates now holds both the UAE player record through Waseem and the overall auction record through Farooqi, reflecting the team’s aggressive attitude throughout the Season 5 auction.
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Competitive offers were also made to other associate-nation players. Hassan Khan joined the Dubai Capitals for USD 90,000, while Muhammad Rohid signed a USD 95,000 contract with the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. Gulbadin Naib bid USD 75,000, and Arab Gul received a bid of USD 80,000. All of the players joined the Knight Riders.
