As per some reports, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is likely to miss next year’s International League T20 (ILT20) which is scheduled to be played in January-February 2024. Babar has turned down 15 Crore PKR offer to play in the tournament due to issues regarding payment terms and potential image rights disputes.
Babar Azam is regarded as one of the finest batters in modern-day cricket. Hence, the ILT20 organisers were trying to bring in the Pakistan captain as the brand ambassador of the league apart from being a player.
Babar Azam likely to miss ILT20 2024
As per sources within Pakistan cricket, after the issues regarding payment terms, Babar is set to decline the 15 Crore PKR offer to play in the ILT20 League. He is likely to be seen in action in the Bangladesh Premier League, which is scheduled to begin on January 10, 2024.
If reports are to be believed, top Pakistani cricketers, including Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, have decided to include a clause in their contracts with various franchise T20 leagues that they will not endorse or promote products from certain categories, such as tobacco, alcohol, surrogate betting products, pork items, and adult entertainment.
If Babar decides to opt out of the ILT20 League 2024, then left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi will become the highest-earning cricketer in ILT20 for the next three years. Afridi has signed a deal with the Desert Vipers franchise for a whopping $400,000 and additional image rights compensation.
Shaheen Afridi’s contract with the Desert Vipers has an intriguing clause that ensures that the Pakistan pacer will remain the highest-earning player in the ILT20. In case, some other cricketer outbids him in the next edition of the tournament, Afridi’s paycheck will see an automatic rise.
The 2024 edition of the ILT20 will be played in the window of January 19-February 18. Dubai Capitals, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, MI Emirates, Sharjah Warriors, Gulf Giants and Desert Vipers are the six teams that will participate in the second edition of the league.
Meanwhile, Babar Azam led the Pakistani side to a 3-0 victory in the ODI series against Afghanistan prior to the Asia Cup 2023. The series concluded on August 26 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
The Pakistan skipper smashed back-to-back fifties in the second and third ODI against Afghanistan and proved his form which will be pretty crucial for the Men in Green in the Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup 2023.