Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (DUBAI)
Gulf Giants have hit the ground running early among their rivals in the lead-up to the International League Twenty20 (ILT20) tournament, and it is not just because they got a marker on their backs as the defending champions.
They kick off the second season of the second-richest cricket league behind the Indian Premier League in the world on January 19 when they take on Sharjah Warriors in the nearly month-long tournament. But head coach Andy Flower is taking the start seriously in an ominous sign to the other five rival teams.
“We are not full strength in assembling here, given that many players are playing in other leagues and some may not arrive until the day before the start,” Flower said at the International Cricket Council Academy ground while the team revealed their jersey and kits were handed out to the assembled players.
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“However, one thing I told the boys last year and more so again. We have a commitment to Adani Sportsline [the owners], and they have given us all the support and very little interference so we need to give our best. We had an amazing season in 2023, obviously winning the inaugural tournament, but we must continue.
“Of course, our goal is to win the trophy once more but first and foremost we aim to reach the playoffs and to do that, we need to work very hard to win that first game. But I don’t see that as pressure at all.”
Flower is practising what he preaches. On hearing that his star UAE player in the squad Aayan Khan had inputs to offer on the pitch in Sharjah, he quickly made a mental note to make use of the information.
Speaking to Aletihad before Flower did, the UAE spinner, while playing in the recent three-match series against Afghanistan, said that the relaid pitches there on an otherwise batting-friendly surface was now providing more assistance for spin bowling.
Flower has also put Sharjah Warriors as one of the danger teams to look out for this season even though they missed out on the four-team play-offs.
The Zimbabwean agreed with the general feeling going into the inaugural season last year that not many considered the Gulf Giants as title contenders. “Funny that you say that because I tend to agree that we were not full of stars in the squad, but we had outstanding players and the way James Vince led them and got the team together along with the support staff. Inside the dressing room there was always self-belief.
Not just a uniform, it's a statement of identity! 👕
— Gulf Giants 🦅 (@GulfGiants) January 14, 2024
Andy Flower talks about the significance of the jersey as we kickstart our preparations for Season 2 of @ILT20Official. 🔥#GiantArmy #GulfGiants #Adani pic.twitter.com/sUDjL2uc4c
“And we intend to carry that this season, too. Having said that, it is credit to the management for bringing in the right kind of support,” the coach said.
A day later, England all-rounder Jamie Overton addressed the media and his presence in the squad only highlighted Flower’s comments about the need to come back stronger at another level up with other teams girding up for the challenge.
A lumbar stress fracture last time meant Gulf Giants had to rope in Carlos Brathwaite as a late replacement. Now the Giants have both players available and raring to go. And in Overton’s case, he is keen to add more with the bat as he eyes a place in the England team through the ILT20 and the subsequent Pakistan Super League where he will play for the Karachi Kings.
“Obviously the idea is to play for England and I am also keen to grab every opportunity with the bat in my role as a finisher. If I can bowl in the right areas and step up whenever I can to take the team over the line, I will be happy to have contributed in whichever way I can.”
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