Fazalhaq Farooqi has become the most expensive player in ILT20 auction history after MI Emirates secured the Afghanistan left-arm pacer for USD 380,000 at the Season 5 Player Auction in Dubai on October 1. The deal surpasses the previous record of USD 260,000 set by Andre Fletcher and MI Emirates in Season 4, underlining the franchise’s aggressive approach to strengthening their bowling attack.
For cricket followers tracking player movements and team builds, platforms like Funcrash offer a convenient digital space for Cricket updates, helping fans stay across auction outcomes and squad changes in real time.
Record-breaking bids dominate ILT20 auction 2026
Farooqi’s price was part of a wave of big-money moves, with four players eclipsing the earlier USD 260,000 benchmark. England all-rounder Liam Livingstone went to Gulf Giants for USD 350,000, while the same franchise used their Right-to-Match (RTM) option to retain Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz at USD 310,000. Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis joined Dubai Capitals for USD 300,000.
The auction highlighted how franchises are prioritising high-impact overseas talent, especially multi-format performers and strike bowlers. With the ILT20 auction 2026 setting new benchmarks, teams are clearly willing to invest heavily to build balanced, match-winning squads.
MI Emirates lead spending with Farooqi and key retainers
MI Emirates emerged as the biggest spenders, committing their full USD 2,000,000 purse. Alongside Fazalhaq Farooqi price reaching a record USD 380,000, they secured UAE opener Muhammad Waseem for USD 210,000 via RTM, England fast bowler Chris Jordan for USD 170,000, and retained Afghan spinner AM Ghazanfar at USD 150,000. South African pacer Lizaad Williams was added for USD 110,000.
The squad now blends power-hitting, pace depth, and spin options around retained core names like Nicholas Pooran, Rashid Khan, Romario Shepherd and Sherfane Rutherford. For readers wanting a reliable Cricket information hub to follow squad announcements and match previews, such digital platforms make it easier to track these developments without sifting through multiple sources.
Desert Vipers stack up Pakistan quartet at base price
Defending champions Desert Vipers made a notable move by signing four Pakistan stars—Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan—all at their USD 80,000 base price. Babar is set to make his ILT20 debut in Season 5, while Naseem and Fakhar return for another campaign with the Vipers.
This strategy gives the Vipers significant top-order and middle-order firepower, along with variety in pace and spin. It also shows how smart retention and targeted auction picks can build depth without overspending early.
UAE and Associate players command strong prices
Local and Associate-nation players also saw healthy demand. Muhammad Waseem became the most expensive UAE player in ILT20 auction history at USD 210,000. Alishan Sharafu fetched USD 110,000 from Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, while Muhammad Rohid and Aayan Khan went for USD 95,000 each to Knight Riders and Dubai Capitals respectively.
From Associate nations, USA’s Amshi De Silva was picked by Abu Dhabi Knight Riders for USD 100,000, fellow USA all-rounder Hassan Khan joined Dubai Capitals for USD 90,000, Scotland’s Brandon McMullen went to Sharjah Warriorz for USD 80,000, and Namibia’s David Wiese joined Gulf Giants for USD 70,000.
Full auction snapshots by franchise
Key auction signings and retained players across the six teams provide a clear picture of how squads are shaping up for Season 5.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Total spent: USD 1,549,000)
Auction signings include Alishan Sharafu (USD 110,000), Amshi De Silva (USD 100,000), Muhammad Rohid (USD 95,000), Moeen Ali (USD 80,000), Arab Gul (USD 80,000), Usman Tariq (USD 80,000), Gulbadin Naib (USD 75,000), Andre Fletcher (USD 40,000), Colin Munro (USD 40,000), Qais Ahmad (USD 38,000).
Retentions & direct signings: Finn Allen, Jason Holder, Matthew Tromp, Sunil Narine.
Desert Vipers (Total spent: USD 1,544,000)
Auction signings include David Payne (USD 150,000), Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, Babar Azam, Shadab Khan (all USD 80,000), Khuzaima Bin Tanveer (USD 75,000), Vriitya Aravind (USD 70,000), Joe Clarke (USD 40,000).
Retentions & direct signings: Andries Gous, Dan Lawrence, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, Shimron Hetmyer.
Dubai Capitals (Total spent: USD 1,834,000)
Auction signings include Faf du Plessis (USD 300,000), Max Holden (USD 100,000), Dasun Shanaka (USD 100,000), Aayan Khan (USD 95,000), Hassan Khan (USD 90,000), Phil Salt (USD 80,000), Mark Adair (USD 55,000).
Retentions & direct signings: Marcus Stoinis, Mustafizur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Rovman Powell.
Gulf Giants (Total spent: USD 1,972,000)
Auction signings include Liam Livingstone (USD 350,000), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (USD 310,000), Alzarri Joseph (USD 230,000), Shamar Joseph (USD 80,000), David Wiese (USD 70,000), Ibrahim Zadran (USD 65,000), Tabraiz Shamsi (USD 40,000).
Retentions & direct signings: Azmatullah Omarzai, Blessing Muzarabani, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen.
MI Emirates (Total spent: USD 2,000,000)
Auction signings include Fazalhaq Farooqi (USD 380,000), Muhammad Waseem (USD 210,000), Chris Jordan (USD 170,000), AM Ghazanfar (USD 150,000), Lizaad Williams (USD 110,000), James Coles (USD 100,000), Jonny Bairstow (USD 80,000).
Retentions & direct signings: Nicholas Pooran, Rashid Khan, Romario Shepherd, Sherfane Rutherford.
Sharjah Warriorz (Total spent: USD 1,720,000)
Auction signings include Richard Gleeson (USD 180,000), Mohammad Nabi (USD 140,000), Paul Walter (USD 110,000), Adil Rashid (USD 80,000), Brandon McMullen (USD 80,000), Tom Banton (USD 80,000), Craig Overton (USD 80,000).
Retentions & direct signings: Adam Milne, James Vince, Waqar Salamkheil, Sikandar Raza.
What the Fazalhaq Farooqi deal means for MI Emirates
Farooqi’s record fee reflects MI Emirates’ intent to build a pace attack capable of exploiting UAE conditions and high-scoring surfaces. His ability to swing the new ball and deliver in death overs adds a crucial dimension, especially alongside Rashid Khan’s spin and the batting depth of Pooran and Rutherford.
For fans following team news and player roles, having a trusted online platform that aggregates Cricket updates makes it simpler to understand how these pieces fit together ahead of the season. Funcrash features such as squad trackers and match previews can help readers quickly grasp each team’s strengths and likely XIs.
Looking ahead to ILT20 Season 5
With squads now largely set, attention shifts to how these high-profile signings translate into on-field results. The presence of stars like Babar Azam, Faf du Plessis, Liam Livingstone, and the record-breaking Fazalhaq Farooqi sets up a compelling Season 5, where depth, form, and smart captaincy could decide the title.
As the tournament approaches, readers can rely on a responsive Cricket news destination to stay updated on fixtures, team announcements, and injury updates. Should users need help navigating such platforms, Funcrash customer care support is available for general account and access queries, ensuring a smoother experience while following the latest Cricket action.
