Babar Azam plies his trade in leagues all around the world
Pakistan skipper, Babar Azam is set to forgo the second edition of the International League T20 (ILT20) due to issues regarding payment terms and potential image rights disputes. While insiders claimed that he was presented with a tempting Pakistan Rs. 150 million (half a million USD) contract for this edition, Babar's participation remains uncertain.
Babar Azam turns down mega PKR 150 million ILT20 contract: Reports
Sources within Cricket Pakistan have indicated that the ILT20 organizers had not just envisioned Babar as a player, but were also mulling over the idea of him becoming the league's ambassador.
Nonetheless, Babar's gaze appears to be set elsewhere. Current reports suggest that he's gearing up to feature in the Bangladesh Premier League, which kicks off on January 10th.
This divergence from the ILT20 is especially noteworthy since last year, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refrained from issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for its players. This year paints a different story, with stars such as Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Azam Khan readying to don the Desert Vipers' colours from January 19 to February 18.
On a related note, the Desert Vipers recently made headlines by inking a three-year deal with Afridi. With an impressive package of $400,000 and additional image rights compensation, Afridi stands out as the top earner of the league.
Moreover, an intriguing clause ensures that he will be the highest-earning player in the tournament and if another cricketer outbids him in the league's third edition, Afridi's paycheck will see an automatic rise.
As a quick flashback to the ILT20's inaugural edition, teams such as the Dubai Capitals, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, MI Emirates, Sharjah Warriors, Gulf Giants, and Vipers battled it out.
The crown was ultimately claimed by the Gulf Giants led by Colin Munro after a thrilling finale against the Vipers on February 12 earlier this year.
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