Cricket

Desert Vipers CEO explains why Babar Azam was high on priority list

October 7, 2026

Defending champions Desert Vipers secured Pakistan’s Babar Azam at the ILT20 auction on October 2, 2026, locking in the veteran batter at his base price of USD 80,000. Azam, who holds the record for most T20I runs (4,596 in 136 innings) and tops the Pakistan Super League’s all-time scoring charts with 4,380 runs, was a clear priority for the franchise.

His dominance continued into 2026, where he led the PSL with 588 runs in 11 innings—including two centuries—and was named captain of the PSL Team of the Tournament. The move comes after Azam’s absence from Pakistan’s T20I squad and recent international play, making his addition to Desert Vipers a strategic reinforcement ahead of the upcoming season starting November 22, 2026.

Desert Vipers CEO Phil Oliver emphasized Azam’s elite pedigree, citing his T20I strike rate of 128 and his ability to anchor the top order in high-pressure conditions. The franchise’s leadership, including Development Lead Jack Luffman, Head of Operations Sam Charnley, and cricket analyst Freddie Wilde, prioritized securing Azam early to bolster their squad ahead of the tournament finals scheduled for December 20, 2026.

Oliver highlighted the balance Azam brings to the team, particularly in adapting to T20 environments like those in the UAE, where his experience and consistency remain invaluable.