Cricket legend Andy Flower has praised the DP World ILT20 for nurturing Gulf talent and bringing top players to the region. The former Gulf Giants coach highlighted the league’s impact, the rise of UAE players, and his rewarding title win.
A Rewarding Venture
Zimbabwe cricket legend, seasoned coach and ILT20 commentator Andy Flower, has applauded the league’s efforts of nurturing cricket talent across the Gulf countries and bringing world-class players to the region’s cricket stage. Flower, who coached the Gulf Giants to the title in the inaugural season, reflected on the glory. “It’s been great to be here from the inception. Winning it in the first year with the Giants was special, not just because it was DP World ILT20’s first season, but also as the first major venture of the Adani family into professional cricket. Working with them through those years was a pleasure, and bringing instant results was rewarding,” he said, , as per a press release from ILT20.
‘A Revelation’: Flower on ILT20’s Impact
Speaking about the ILT20’s impact, Flower said, “The DP World ILT20 has been a revelation. The quality of cricket and the sheer talent coming from all over the world is impressive. Just look at the players competing this year — Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Romario Shepherd, Tom Banton, James Vince — some of the finest names who bring their skills and excitement to the league.”
“What I find most impressive are the initiatives to include players from Gulf countries like Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. This tournament is not just about high-quality cricket but also about spreading the game’s reach and raising standards in this part of the world. The improvement in UAE players is tremendous,” he added.
Spotlight on UAE’s Rising Stars
Flower praised emerging UAE talents like Aayan Khan, who most recently became the first UAE player to win the Player of the Match award in Season 4 after bagging three wickets against the Sharjah Warriorz. “I have worked closely with Aayan Khan, the talented left-arm spinning all-rounder for the Gulf Giants. He’s a wonderful cricketer with strong international experience. Another standout is Muhammad Waseem, arguably the best UAE player at the moment. He could hold his own in any franchise tournament globally, performing impressively on both the international and franchise stages,” he said.
From Coaching to Commentary
Reflecting on his role in the league, Flower said, “Commentating for DP World ILT20 gives me the perfect opportunity to engage with a game I love without the pressure of coaching. I enjoy analysing and talking about cricket in a relaxed environment, which adds a different and enjoyable dimension to my career.” (ANI)
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