Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
The birth of a new cricket tournament brings a distinct sense of anticipation, an unwritten canvas where players do not merely contest matches but construct an identity from the ground up.
For David Wiese, the well-travelled all-rounder whose career spans both South Africa and Namibia international cricket, a new EU T20 league in Belgium represents another frontier in the global franchise landscape.
The inaugural staging from June 6 to 14 will see five teams compete, including Wiese’s Antwerp Anchors, co-owned by former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan.
Meanwhile, Wiese is embracing the responsibility that comes with his experience: mentoring the next generation of international talent on an untested new stage.
Among those set to benefit from the counsel of the 41-year-old is the UAE’s promising spinner, Aayan Afzal Khan. The two are already familiar companions, having shared a dressing room for the Gulf Giants during the inaugural International League T20 in the UAE.
Reflecting on the rapid evolution of the young teenager, Wiese recalls a player who defied his youth from the moment he stepped onto the professional stage.
“I played with him a couple of years ago at the Gulf Giants in the inaugural ILT20 tournament,” Wiese tells Aletihad. “And I think he was only 16 years old back then. He was still a youngster. But the potential that he has as such a young player... he’s so mature and he knows his game so well.”
While Khan is primarily recognised for his exploits with the ball, Wiese insists that the teenager possesses a complete repertoire that will prove vital on European pitches.
“Everybody always focuses on him as just a left-arm spinner, and he’s a phenomenal spinner,” he observes. “But I think his batting is very underrated also, and he’s come a long way over the last couple of years with his batting. So he’s a genuine, genuine all-rounder. And he’s a guy that is always looking to improve his game. He’s always looking for advice and he’ll come to you and chat about the game. So, yeah, it’s definitely someone I’m looking forward to connecting with again and working with and working together in the next couple of weeks.”
The young Khan revealed how much he is looking forward to pairing up with known names such as Wiese and Andre Russell when he travels to Belgium in the first week of June. It will be a quick change of scenery and tough to acclimatise, but the UAE bowler expressed confidence in adapting.
With a gruelling schedule that could demand playing eight or nine consecutive days, Wiese stresses that success will hinge on rapid adaptation, squad rotation and fitness. Despite lush green conditions favouring pace bowlers like himself, Wiese believes there is scope for everyone.
“Traditionally, when you look at these type of tournaments,” Wiese reasons, “there’s probably only maybe two pitches that you’re going to be playing on the whole time. So at the start of the tournament, traditionally, the pitches almost suit the fast bowlers a little bit more.
“But then as you go towards the back end of the tournament, because they use the same pitches the whole time, they get a little bit worn, they get a little bit tired. And that’s when the spinners come in. Someone like Aayan is really going to play a big part with us. But even if the wicket isn’t spinning or turning, he’s a quality bowler.”
Antwerp have assembled a squad rich in international pedigree, balancing explosive youth with the seasoned big-hitting of Russell and the technical authority of Martin Guptill. For Wiese, who has played in over 10 franchise tournaments, providing structural support for such a diverse roster requires no official title.
“I don’t even think you need to have a label to be a leader or mentor in the team,” Wiese says. “You don’t have to be the captain to influence the team; you don’t have to be a coach to help other people out. You can just be a player, and your presence and your conversations that you have with people can mentor them.
"Just being able to have conversations with the younger guys in the team as a fellow player quite often adds more value than actually a physical coach telling you what to do.”
