🏏 Mohammad Amir Reveals Why He Went Unsold in ILT20 Auction 2025
📌 The Shocking Twist in ILT20 Auction
The International League T20 (ILT20) 2025 auction created massive buzz among cricket fans worldwide. Big names like Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, and Andre Fletcher grabbed attention with huge bids, while some surprising stars went unsold.
But the biggest shocker was Mohammad Amir, Pakistan’s left-arm pace sensation, who had been a consistent performer for Desert Vipers in the last two seasons. Despite taking 26 wickets in 20 matches, Amir’s name was missing from the auction board.
Now, Amir himself has revealed the real reason behind going unsold, clearing all the speculations around his absence.
📬 Amir’s Revelation – The Withdrawal Email
Amir took to his official Facebook page, posting a screenshot of an email confirmation that showed he had withdrawn from the ILT20 auction ahead of time.
The email read:
“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.”
This statement confirmed that Amir himself opted out, and it wasn’t a case of franchises rejecting him. The reason behind this decision, however, has sparked debates and curiosity among fans.
🏟️ Mohammad Amir’s ILT20 Journey So Far
Before his withdrawal, Amir had been one of the main pacers for Desert Vipers. Let’s look at his numbers in the tournament:
- Matches Played: 20
- Wickets Taken: 26
- Economy Rate: 8.01
- Best Performance: 3/23
✅ These stats prove Amir was still effective in franchise cricket, especially in pressure situations.
His experience of bowling in the UAE conditions, combined with his T20 league success, made him a valuable asset. Which is why his withdrawal was even more surprising.
🔥 Desert Vipers’ Auction Picks – Pakistan Stars Dominate
While Amir pulled out, his former team Desert Vipers turned to other Pakistan players in the auction:
- Fakhar Zaman – Bought for $80,000
- Naseem Shah – Bought for $80,000
- Hasan Nawaz – Bought for $40,000
👉 Fakhar Zaman is returning for his second stint with Desert Vipers. In his previous season, he scored 222 runs in 9 matches, with 2 fifties.
👉 Naseem Shah will make his ILT20 debut, bringing fiery pace and death-over skills after proving himself in CPL, LPL, and BPL.
👉 Hasan Nawaz, a young Pakistan middle-order batter, is seen as a long-term investment.
💰 Big Money Deals – Who Got the Highest Bids?
The ILT20 2025 auction saw several record-breaking signings:
- Junaid Siddique (UAE) – Sharjah Warriors – $170,000
- Naveen-ul-Haq (Afghanistan) – MI Emirates – $100,000
- Andre Fletcher (West Indies) – MI Emirates – $260,000
But one of the biggest surprises was James Anderson (England), the legendary Test pacer, who went unsold. Despite his reputation, franchises seem to prefer younger fast bowlers for the T20 format.
❌ Other Pakistan Players Who Went Unsold
Several Pakistan cricketers failed to attract buyers:
- Mohammad Haris (Wicketkeeper-batter)
- Saim Ayub (Opening batter)
- Imad Wasim (All-rounder)
- Mohammad Nawaz (Spinner)
- Usman Tariq (Spinner, despite stellar CPL 2025 stats)
⚡ Usman Tariq’s case was particularly shocking since he was the second-highest wicket-taker in CPL 2025 with 20 wickets in 10 games at 7.31 economy.
🧐 Why Did Amir Withdraw? Possible Reasons
Amir hasn’t publicly elaborated beyond the withdrawal email, but experts suggest a few possible reasons:
- Personal Commitments – Amir has often prioritized family and selective leagues over hectic schedules.
- Workload Management – Playing multiple leagues back-to-back can cause fitness issues.
- Future Plans with Pakistan Team? – Although retired from international cricket, Amir has hinted at a possible comeback if circumstances change. With the T20 World Cup 2026 coming, he may be keeping options open.
- Contract Disputes or Negotiations – Sometimes players pull out if financial terms don’t meet expectations.
🌍 ILT20 2025 – Tournament Schedule & Expectations
- Start Date: December 2, 2025
- Host Country: United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Venues: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah
- Total Teams: 6 Franchises
Fans are expecting another high-octane season, with international stars, local UAE talent, and rising Asian cricketers making the league one of the most exciting in the franchise circuit.
🏏 Cricketory Insights & Analysis
Strategic Withdrawal by Amir?
His decision to pull out suggests he may be keeping his options open for PSL 2026 or a possible Pakistan comeback before T20 World Cup 2026.Desert Vipers’ New Look Attack
With Amir missing, the team will rely heavily on Naseem Shah’s pace and Fakhar Zaman’s firepower at the top.Shift in Franchise Preferences
Younger bowlers like Naveen-ul-Haq and Junaid Siddique fetched big bids, showing franchises are moving toward youth and raw pace over veterans.Fan Impact
Amir has a huge fan following in UAE, and his absence might reduce the initial hype around Desert Vipers. But Pakistan’s young stars may fill the void.📊 Impact of Amir’s Absence on ILT20
Amir’s decision to withdraw will affect:
- Desert Vipers’ Bowling Attack – They lose a senior left-arm pacer.
- Pakistan Representation – With fewer seniors, the pressure is now on Fakhar Zaman and Naseem Shah.
- Fan Engagement – Amir’s fanbase, especially from Pakistan, was a major crowd-puller in the UAE.
📰 Fan Reactions on Social Media
Social media exploded after Amir’s revelation:
- Some fans praised him for being transparent.
- Others speculated about hidden politics between leagues and boards.
- Many expressed disappointment, saying “ILT20 won’t be the same without Amir.”
Trending hashtags: #MohammadAmir #ILT20Auction #DesertVipers #CricketNews2025
🤔 The Bigger Picture – Amir’s Franchise Future
Amir has already played in:
- Pakistan Super League (PSL)
- Caribbean Premier League (CPL)
- Bangladesh Premier League (BPL)
- Lanka Premier League (LPL)
With ILT20 off his calendar, fans wonder whether he will focus on PSL 2026 or explore newer leagues like Major League Cricket (USA).
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why did Mohammad Amir go unsold in ILT20 2025?
➡️ Amir revealed via an official email that he withdrew his name from the auction beforehand. It was not due to lack of interest from franchises.Q2: Which team did Mohammad Amir play for in ILT20 previously?
➡️ Amir represented Desert Vipers for two seasons, where he played 20 matches and took 26 wickets.Q3: Who are the Pakistan players picked in ILT20 2025?
➡️ Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, and Hasan Nawaz were signed by Desert Vipers. Other players like Imad Wasim, Saim Ayub, and Haris went unsold.Q4: When does ILT20 2025 start?
➡️ The tournament begins on December 2, 2025, in the UAE across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.
Q5: Which players got the biggest deals in ILT20 2025 auction?
➡️ Andre Fletcher ($260,000), Junaid Siddique ($170,000), and Naveen-ul-Haq ($100,000) were among the top signings.📌 Conclusion – Amir’s Chapter in ILT20 on Pause
Mohammad Amir’s withdrawal from ILT20 2025 shows that not all “unsold” stories are about rejection—sometimes, it’s a player’s own decision.
While fans will miss seeing him in Desert Vipers’ colors, his legacy as one of the most skillful left-arm pacers in T20 cricket remains intact.
As ILT20 2025 kicks off on December 2, the spotlight now shifts to new signings like Naseem Shah, Fakhar Zaman, and Andre Fletcher, who will look to make their mark.
👉 But one thing is certain: the chatter around Amir’s withdrawal has already made ILT20 2025 one of the most talked-about leagues before it even begins.