PKL auctions: Iranian Atrachali becomes costliest buy

Mumbai, May 30, Iranian defender Fazel Atrachali became the costliest buy in the history of the Pro Kabaddi League after being pocketed by U Mumba for a whopping Rs 1 crore at the league's foreign player auctions here on Wednesday. Having a base price of Rs 30 lakh, the 26-year-old sparked off a bidding war between Jaipur Pink Panthers and the Mumbai-based franchise; however, it was the latter who bagged Atrachali. Gujarat Fortune grants had the option to retain the Iranian but they declined to exercise the Final Bid Match (FBM) option. With this purchase, the Iranian also surpassed Nitin Tomar, who was till now the costliest buy in the league after being bagged by UP Yoddhas for Rs 93 lakhs in the previous year's auctions. The left-corner defender has featured in 56 matches of PKL, securing 152 tackle points. Atrachali's compatriot Abozar Mohajermighani, who was the first foreign player to be auctioned, was snapped by Telugu Titans for Rs 76 lakhs as the Fortune giants once again refused to exercise their FBM option. On the other hand, South Korean raider Jang Kun Lee was bought by Haryana Steelers for Rs 33 lakh. However, the Bengal Warriors utilised the FBM card to retain the 25-year-old.