DUBAI: Scouting the right talent at a suitable age is one of the most important aspects of a plan when the aim is to make progress in sport.
For those scouted, game time is important, and there is nothing better than high level cricket tournaments such as the DP World ILT20 for that, according to Zimbabwean legend Andy Flower.
The former international wicketkeeper-batter, now head coach of the Gulf Giants, believes that while the DP World ILT20 can help transform UAE cricket, the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament 2024 is as important.
Flower is keeping a keen eye on the action at the development tournament currently being played at the ICC Academy Oval 1. The tournament provides competing players an opportunity to seal one of the 12 remaining berths in the six DP World ILT20 Season 3 squads (two squad spots up for grabs in each team).
Flower, who has coached around the world, said: “The DP World ILT20 is brilliant for cricket in the 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 (DP World 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 (DP World 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 DP World 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 DP World 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 international level is absolutely crucial. And it is at tournaments like the DP World ILT20 where you start to realise 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 impressed by UAE players such as Aayan Khan, Zuhaib Zubair, Junaid Siddique and Muhammad Wasim, to name a few.
On a scouting trip for the Gulf Giants, who created history by becoming the inaugural champions of the DP World ILT20, the former Zimbabwe captain said: “We are aiming to bring home the trophy again after a sensational first season for the Gulf Giants. Working with the Adanis (team sponsor) 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 the UAE, just to cover all angles in terms of the balance of the squad.
“A specialist batter and quick bowler from the UAE, who know these conditions well, would probably give us more tactical flexibility,” Flower concluded.
