After Shaheen Afridi joined Desert Vipers earlier this month, two of the Pakistani cricketers are set to join the franchise for the second edition of DP World International League T20. The second season of ILT20 is scheduled to begin on January 13 hosted by Emirates Cricket Board.
Shadab and Azam Khan joins Desert Vipers for ILT20
After Shaheen Afridi joined the ILT20 franchise, Shadab Khan and Azam Khan are set to join Afridi to represent Desert Vipers in the second season of ILT20.
Azam Khan has been selected for the ILT20 last year, making him the first Pakistani player to join the league. But due to various NOC issues from the Pakistan Cricket Board, it did not happen. The other franchises in the six-team league stopped signing a Pakistani Player after the incident.
But this year the Pakistan Cricket Board has given no objection certificates to their players due to which Azam and Shadab Khan are set to play on ILT20.
Tom Moody, the director of Cricket for the Vipers is delighted on the arrival of the players to their side. He praised Shadab Khan’s all-rounder skills and appreciates his growing reputation as a captain.
“We are certainly looking at all our options to continue to build the strongest squad we possibly can, but more importantly to build a team that is not only going to take it one step further in 2024 and not only play in a final but win a final,” Moody said.
“We are also looking to build a squad that our growing fan-base are going to look forward to supporting. The more support we have on the other side of the fence the greater the heights the team can reach.”
He describes Azam as a potential threat due to his immense batting skills and power. “He is a genuine power-hitter that can take the game in a breathtaking way away from the opposition,” the Australian coach said of Azam.
“We look forward to having him as an impact player in the middle-order to join the likes of [Guyanese batter] Sherfane Rutherford, who has continued to show his high level of excellence in the tournament in Canada recently.”
Azam being a well-experienced T20 player said he is waiting eagerly to play in the Emirates. “The UAE fans are crazy about cricket and last season the atmosphere was amazing,” Azam said.
“I am looking forward to this season and hoping to put on some good performances in the tournament.”
Colin Munro, the vice-captain of Desert Vipers said that adding new players have brought their team in a strong position.
“Last year we came very close to winning the title and got pipped at the post.”
“With the additional players that we have brought in, adding to our retained players, it puts us in a really strong position in the next edition.” said Colin Munro.
