We are aiming to bring home trophy again after sensational first season for Gulf Giants, says head coach Andy Flower

Dubai, 09 October 2024: Scouting the correct talent at a suitable age is one of the most important aspects of a plan when the aim is to make progress in sports. And for those scouted, game time is important, and there is nothing better than high-level cricket tournaments such as ILT20 for that, according to the Zimbabwean legend Andy Flower.    

The head coach of the Gulf Giants, the former legendary wicketkeeper-batter, believes that while ILT20 can help transform UAE cricket, the ILT20 Development Tournament 2024 is as important, while on the same journey. 

Flower is keeping a keen eye on the action at the ILT20 Development Tournament which is currently being played at the ICC Academy Oval 1. The tournament provides the competing players an opportunity to seal one of the 12 remaining berths in the six ILT20 Season 3 squads (two squad spots up for grabs in each team).   

The very well-traveled Flower who has coached around the world said, “The ILT20 is brilliant for cricket in UAE and some of the guys get some excellent exposure from playing with the best players in the world during the tournament. And I expect the coming tournament ( ILT20 Season 3) is going to be very similar in standard and in terms of great exposure for the UAE players. The extension of that is this tournament (ILT20 Development Tournament 2024), and I have come out for a bit of scouting for the Gulf Giants.”  

He added, “Watching the players go at it in a highly competitive tournament is a great experience and a motivator for me as well. And a tournament like this is all part of the growth of cricket in the UAE.”   

The 56-year-old called the ILT20 crucial for the growth of cricket in the UAE. He explained, “We have just seen a very apt example in the USA, and their growth as a team there is potential for something similar and more. At the ILT20 there are currently two UAE players per playing XI, and I hope in the future that number grows and that allows for greater experience for the players and crucially, confidence. That confidence and self-belief at the international level is absolutely crucial. And it is at tournaments like the ILT20 where you start to realize the international players are not invincible.”  

Formerly the coach of the England cricket team, Flower, who has been watching the tournament from one of the best seats in the house, has been mighty impressed by the young UAE players such as Aayan Khan, Zuhaib Zubair, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Wasim to name a few. 

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On a scouting trip for the Gulf Giants, who created history by becoming the inaugural champions of the  ILT20, the former Zimbabwe captain said, “We are aiming to bring home the trophy again after the sensational first season for the Gulf Giants.

"Working with the Adanis was a fantastic experience for us and yes, we would like to do them proud. So, getting to the playoffs is the first step towards real success, and strengthening our squad with the UAE players is just a small step in the same direction. 

“We have a couple of UAE spinners in our squad, and I am very impressed with them, but we might look to cover a few different skills in terms of filling up the two spots we have for players from UAE, just to cover all angles in terms of the balance of the squad. A specialist batter and quick bowler from UAE, who knows these conditions well, would probably give us more tactical flexibility,” he concluded.