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Following the inception of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008, franchise cricket has proliferated globally, prompting numerous cricketing bodies to establish their own leagues.
On Tuesday (May 21) in Colombo, the player auction for the upcoming fifth season of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) unfolded. Scheduled to kick off on July 4, the event has already generated witnessed excitement among the fans. Notably, emerging Sri Lankan talent Matheesha Pathirana emerged as a standout, clinching a league-record contract of $120,000 to represent Colombo Strikers.
Babar Azam go unsold in the Lanka Premier League?
Numerous notable international players failed to attract bids during the auction, including Lungi Ngidi, Martin Guptill, and Mujeeb-ur-Rehman. Pakistani talents, on the other hand, remained sought after, with Azam Khan, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Mohammed Hasnain securing deals with various franchises.
Yet, the absence of star player Babar Azam drew attention. Speculation circulated on social media suggesting that the Pakistan T20I captain had been overlooked in the auction.
🚨 Babar Azam unsold in LPL‼️ pic.twitter.com/SYl3a3Qm3q
— N (@SaadonaBreak1) May 21, 2024
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan UNSOLD in LPL too.#LPL pic.twitter.com/qqmhnAN8IJ
— 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐚𝐣𝐚 (@kirikraja) May 21, 2024
BOTH BABAR AZAM AND MUHAMMAD RIZWAN ARE UNSOLD FOR THE LPL 2024 #BABARAZAM #RIZWAN #PAKISTAN pic.twitter.com/ywCetIRzaQ
— Ali Tariq (@alinihari) May 21, 2024
Pakistan's top world class batsmen Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan unsold in LPL due to slow strike rate 💔 pic.twitter.com/TQDjO99HZI
— ANUJ THAKKUR (@anuj_thakkur) May 22, 2024
Babar Azam UNSOLD at LPL.#auction
— 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐚𝐣𝐚 (@kirikraja) June 14, 2023
Also READ: Pakistan captain Babar Azam reveals the toughest bowler to face in international cricket
Here is the truth
Following the widespread circulation of news across various social media platforms, it was later disclosed through a prominent media source from Pakistan that Babar had not enrolled himself for the LPL auction and the rumours circulating were wrong.
Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam did NOT apply for the registeration in the auction of Lanka Premier League 2024. #LPL2024
— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) May 21, 2024
Last year, Babar has played in the LPL for the Colombo Strikers, scoring 261 runs in 8 matches with an average of 32 and a strike rate of 133, including a sensational century. The Pakistan skipper further boasted a commendable run in T20Is, having featured in 117 matches, accumulating 3955 runs at an average of 41 and a strike rate of 130, that included 36 half centuries and three tons that further solidified status as one of the premier batter in the shortest format.
