Afghanistan cricketers received substantial recognition and financial rewards during the International League T20 (ILT20) season five player auction.Left-arm fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi led the list as the highest-paid player, fetching USD 380,000 – a record signing amount in the tournament’s history. Opening batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz also surpassed USD 300,000, securing a USD 310,000 deal with the Gulf Giants.In total, 25 Afghan players were selected across six ILT20 franchise squads. Each team was required to include at least four Afghan players in their squads, with the league’s playing conditions mandating a minimum of two Afghan players in the playing eleven for Season 5.This significant financial gain and opportunity for both established and emerging Afghan players stem from a strategic partnership between the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and the ILT20/Emirates Cricket Board, aimed at providing sustained long-term prospects for the players. The ILT20 has become a source of hope and aspiration for many Associate and Full Member countries, including Afghanistan.ACB CEO Naseeb Khan commented: “We are delighted at the outcomes of the hugely successful ILT20 Season 5 Player Auction. The auction has raised the profile of Afghanistan cricket like never before. A total of 25 Afghanistan players have earned contracts with the ILT20 franchises, with Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz earning record amounts of money through their massive bidding.”He added, “This opportunity for our players is a result of our incredible partnership with the DP World ILT20 and the Emirates Cricket Board. We reached a strategic decision with them earlier this year to further expand the game in Afghanistan through the ILT20/ECB’s support. I want to take this opportunity to thank the Chairman of ILT20, Khalid Al Zarooni and League Commissioner Mubashshir Usmani, who were instrumental in the implementation and execution of this partnership.“Zarooni and Mubashshir’s vision for the growth of the game is truly inspirational, which is proven by the ILT20’s game-changing approach for both Associate Members and Full Members like Afghanistan. We are off to an incredible start in our partnership, and we have full confidence that this partnership will continue to support our players and inspire a new generation of Afghanistan stars,” he concluded.The following Afghan players secured contracts in ILT20 season five:
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Arab Gul (USD 80,000), Gulbadin Naib (USD 75,000), Qais Ahmad (USD 38,000), Abdullah Tarakhail (USD 10,000). Total spent: USD 203,000.
Desert Vipers: Abdullah Ahmadzai (USD 40,000), Nangeyalia Kharote (USD 28,000), Saleem Safi (USD 10,000). Total spent: USD 78,000. Pre-auction signing: Mujeeb-ur-Rahman.
Dubai Capitals: Sediqullah Atal (USD 70,000), Karim Janat (USD 40,000), Darwish Rasooli (USD 10,000). Total spent: USD 120,000. Pre-auction signing: Noor Ahmad.
Gulf Giants: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (USD 310,000), Ibrahim Zadran (USD 65,000), Imran Mir (USD 10,000), Wahidullah Zadran (USD 10,000). Total spent: USD 395,000. Pre-auction signing: Azmatullah Omarzai.
MI Emirates: Fazalhaq Farooqi (USD 380,000), Allah Ghazanfar (USD 150,000), Faridoon Dawoodzai (USD 10,000). Total spent: USD 540,000. Pre-auction signing: Rashid Khan.
Sharjah Warriorz: Mohammad Nabi (USD 140,000), Fareed Malik (USD 40,000), Sharafuddin Ashraf (USD 40,000). Total spent: USD 220,000. Pre-auction signing: Waqar Salamkheil.
