By Zainab Shafiq 
The much-anticipated International League T20 (ILT20) auction may have brought excitement for a few, but for Pakistan cricket, the story turned bittersweet. While three names, Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, and Hasan Nawaz, secured deals with Desert Vipers, several others found no takers. The long list of unsold Pakistani players in ILT20 auction has left fans asking tough questions about franchise preferences and selection strategies.
Among those overlooked were experienced campaigners like Imad Wasim and Mohammad Nawaz, as well as rising stars such as Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris. Even standout spinner Usman Tariq, who recently finished as the second-highest wicket-taker in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025, was ignored despite his 20 wickets in just 10 matches at an impressive economy of 7.31.
Mohammad Amir’s Case: A Different Story
The name that stood out the most on the unsold list was Mohammad Amir. Having played two seasons for Desert Vipers with respectable numbers, 26 wickets in 20 matches at an economy of 8.01, his absence surprised many. However, Amir himself cleared the air.
On his official Facebook page, the left-arm pacer shared a screenshot of an email he had sent prior to the auction, formally withdrawing his name. “As you may be aware of the recent developments, please treat this email as a notice of withdrawal of Muhammad Amir from the upcoming ILT20 auction,” the note read.
This revelation shifted the conversation from why he was ignored to why he chose to pull out. For fans, it explained his absence but still deepened the disappointment of seeing Pakistan’s overall representation remain so thin.
Unsold Pakistani Players in ILT20 Auction: A Worrying Trend?
Apart from Amir’s unique case, several other Pakistani cricketers were simply passed over. Imad Wasim, a proven all-rounder in leagues worldwide, did not attract a single bid. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris and explosive opener Saim Ayub, both considered part of Pakistan’s new T20 generation, also went unsold.
Veteran spinner Mohammad Nawaz, a regular in Pakistan’s white-ball squads, and Usman Tariq, who had just dominated the CPL, were similarly overlooked. This raised eyebrows, especially when lesser-known players from other regions secured hefty paychecks.
Contrast this with the success of others in the same auction: UAE fast bowler Junaid Siddique was signed for a whopping $170,000 by Sharjah Warriors, Afghanistan’s Naveen-ul-Haq went for $100,000, and West Indies batter Andre Fletcher fetched an impressive $260,000. Meanwhile, England legend James Anderson, like many Pakistanis, was also left unsold, a reminder that big names don’t always guarantee deals.
Pakistan’s footprint in the fourth edition of the ILT20 will rest entirely on Desert Vipers’ trio of Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, and Hasan Nawaz. Fakhar returns for his second stint after scoring 222 runs in the previous season, Naseem will debut after stints in the CPL, LPL, and BPL, while Hasan Nawaz carries the tag of an emerging batter eager to prove himself.
For the rest, the disappointment is sharp. With so many unsold Pakistani players in ILT20 auction, questions will linger about whether franchises undervalued Pakistan’s talent or whether other factors influenced the lack of bids. Fans will now be watching closely: if the signed Pakistani players shine for Vipers, the franchises that turned away may have second thoughts in seasons to come.
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