Pakistan Skipper Opts for BPL Amidst ILT20 Contract Concerns

Pakistan’s cricket captain, Babar Azam, appears set to decline participation in the upcoming second edition of ILT20, scheduled for January next year. Reportedly, Babar has chosen to forego a substantial offer for the tournament. News18 reports suggest that the contract proposed for Babar was valued at an impressive half a million USD, with the intention of appointing him as a brand ambassador.

Issues related to image rights and the payment structure emerged as stumbling blocks, causing Babar to reject the offer. Consequently, Babar Azam is poised to feature in the 2024 Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), which coincides with a similar timeframe.

The Pakistan players were prohibited from participating in the inaugural ILT20 edition. This time, however, several Pakistani stars are set to join the tournament. Despite the intention to have Babar Azam as a brand ambassador, this aspiration appears unlikely to materialize in the near future.

In a contrasting development, Pakistani fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has secured a significant contract with the Desert Vipers for the upcoming ILT20. His signing comes with a hefty price tag of $400,000, excluding earnings from image rights, making it a substantial deal.

Shaheen Afridi will be accompanied by fellow countrymen Shadab Khan and Azam Khan, bolstering the Desert Vipers’ lineup for the next ILT20. The squad also features Sri Lankan talents Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana, further solidifying the team’s bowling prowess alongside Shaheen and Shadab.