Farooqi becomes ILT20's most expensive player, snapped by MI Emirates for $380,000.
The Afghan pacer—known for his lethal swing and a career that includes a 4‑for‑32 in the 2024 IPL—had already broken the auction record earlier this week when Gulf Giants paid $350,000 for Ireland's Liam Livingstone.
But that $350,000 deal was a shockwave, and Farooqi's $380,000 hit sent the market into overdrive, making him the highest‑priced talent in league history.
MI Emirates, with a $1.39 million purse, used the extra capital to lock in a key pacer for a fifth straight season, a move that signals a serious bid to lift the franchise out of the middle tier.
With Farooqi's pace, MI's bowlers now have a weapon that can break partnerships in the final overs, a commodity that will be game‑changing in the high‑tempo format.
Next up: MI will face the Desert Vipers in Season 5's opening match—an early test of whether the record‑breaking budget translates into trophies.