UAE ILT20: Azam Khan becomes first Pakistan recruit at the tournament

Former wicketkeeper-batter Moin Khan’s son Azam Khan has  become the first Pakistan recruit at the highly-anticipated UAE’s International League T20 (ILT20). Azam has been roped in by the Desert Vipers for the inaugural edition of the tournament. The Desert Vipers is owned by an MNC named Lancer Capital, which is also the proud owner of the 13-time Premier League champions Manchester United.

Meanwhile, Azam is a relatively inexperienced, having played just three T20Is for Pakistan. Nonetheless, the 24-year-old has experience of playing various franchise leagues across the globe. The youngster has played for a few franchise teams like Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Galle Gladiators in the Lanka Premier League (LPL), and Barbados Royals in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Taking to their official Twitter handle, the Desert Vipers introduced their brand new signing Azam Khan saying, “Pakistan keeper-batter Azam Khan is an exciting addition to Desert Vipers! He is one of the world’s best players of spin in T20 cricket, averaging 35 with a strike rate of 160 against slower bowlers – Azam is ideally suited to attacking those middle overs for #DesertVipers. “

As far as some of their top officials are concerned, seasoned coach Tom Moody will be serving the Desert Vipers as the director of cricket, with James Foster appointed as the head coach. Other notable signings by the franchise include the likes of West Indies left-arm pacer Sheldon Cottrell, English players Tom Curran, Ben Duckett, Alex Hales, and Benny Howell, and the Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga.

Meanwhile, the Indian-owned teams have completely refrained from signing any Pakistani players due to the fear of facing consequences back home due to the ongoing strained political relations between both nations. There are five Indian-owned teams in the ILT20 – the MI Emirates, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Sharjah Warriors, Gulf Giants, and Dubai Capitals.

Desert Vipers Squad: Sam Billings (England), Sheldon Cottrell (West Indies), Tom Curran (England), Ben Duckett (England), Saqib Mahmood (England), Alex Hales (England), Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka), Benny Howell (England), Azam Khan (Pakistan), Sandeep Lamichhane (Nepal), Colin Munro (New Zealand), Sherfane Rutherford (West Indies) and Ruben Trumpelmann (Namibia)