Desert Vipers Archives

Naseem Shah fined for ICC Code of Conduct breach

DUBAI: Fast bowler Naseem Shah has been fined 10 per cent of match fee during the International League T20 (ILT20) final played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) on January 4.

According to a press release on the ILT20 website, Shah was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the final between Desert Vipers and MI Emirates.

The article relates to the use of language, actions, or gestures that could disparage or provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter following their dismissal.

“Shah was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to the use of language, actions or gestures that could disparage or provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter following their dismissal,” the press release stated.

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The incident happened during the 11th over of the match when Naseem bowled a delivery that Pollard defended.

Naseem picked up the ball and smiled at Pollard, who responded aggressively, prompting a verbal exchange between the two players.

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Pollard appeared visibly angry while exchanging words with the right-handed pacer.

The umpires, along with Vipers batter Jason Roy, intervened to break up the confrontation. Naseem was also seen firing back, leaving both players visibly upset.

However, Naseem got his revenge in the first delivery of the 16th over, dismissing Pollard, who had scored a run-a-ball 28.

The sanction was imposed by Match Referee Simon Taufel.

Nonetheless, Desert Vipers clinched their maiden ILT20 title after skittling MI Emirates for 136 in 18.3 overs.

Naseem Shah starred with the ball as he picked three wickets in his quota of four overs.

Earlier, put into bat first, Desert Vipers managed to score 182-4 in their 20 overs, courtesy of skipper Tom Curran’s 74 from 51 balls that not only lifted them out of trouble but helped them set a winning total.

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Clinical Desert Vipers outplay Dubai Capitals in ILT20 opener

DUBAI: Andries Gous’ gutsy 58 off 36 balls powered Desert Vipers to a victory over Dubai Capitals in the opening match of the International League T20 (ILT20) here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) on Tuesday.

Chasing 151, Vipers hit the winning runs on the last ball of the penultimate over, losing six wickets in the process.

Andries Gous and Fakhar Zaman started briskly in the chase, notching up a fifty-run partnership in only 4.4 overs.

Zaman, who remained the core aggressor, made 26 from 15 with the help of two sixes and a four.

The solid foundation helped the Vipers cruise towards the target; however, the Capitals made a comeback with quick wickets in the middle overs, halting their progress.

Max Holden was the second to go after adding 35 for the second wicket with Gous. The right-hander departed after scoring 16 off 15 with the help of two fours.

At this stage, Vipers were 85-2 in 9.4 overs.

Andries Gous held one end firm until Waqar Salamkheil removed him and skipper Sam Curran in the span of two deliveries.

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Dubai Capitals struck again with the prized wickets of Shimron Hetmyer and Hasan Nawaz, left Desert Vipers reeling at 133-6 in 16.5 overs.

Yet, the Vipers cruised to a victory with Dan Lawrence and Khuzaima Tanveer stitching a brief 18* run partnership that took them over the line.

Lawrence made 19* from 16, whereas Tanveer struck a boundary in his 12 from eight balls.

For Dubai Capitals, Waqar Salamkheil and Scott Currie remained the standout bowlers, picking up two wickets each.

Earlier, after being put into the field first, Dubai Capitals managed to post 150-8 on the board in their allotted 20 overs.

Desert Vipers pacers piled a miserable start on Capitals as they lost four wickets in the first six overs.

Opener Sediqullah Atal was for 16 off 13, whereas Gulbadin Naib fell for a duck. Jordan Cox (2) and Shayan Jahangir (19 off 15) also fell in quick succession as the scorecard read 42-4 in 6.5 overs.

They were further pegged back in the 11th over when Noor Ahmed bowled David Willey as they slumped to 67-5.

However, Mohammad Nabi and Rovman Powell paired up down the order with a crucial 34-run stand that helped them reach a respectable total.

Powell top-scored with 39 off 22, striking four boundaries and two sixes, while Nabi hit two sixes and two fours in his 29 from 23 balls.

For Desert Vipers, Noor Ahmad, Khuzaima Tanveer, and David Payne picked up two wickets each.

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‘No question about his capabilities,’ Tom Moody heaps high praise on Fakhar Zaman

Former Australian cricketer Tom Moody, who is serving as the Director of Cricket for Desert Vipers in the International League T20 (ILT20), has lauded the capabilities of explosive Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman.

Currently, Fakhar is in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he is set to represent Desert Vipers, alongside his compatriots Azam Khan and Mohammad Amir, for the 2025 season of the ILT20, which will kick off later today.

Moody, during an interview, expressed excitement to work with the Pakistani opening batter, while acknowledging Fakhar’s power-hitting abilities.

“At the end of the day, as long as he [Fakhar Zaman] is delivering for the Desert Vipers, that’s a real bonus for us,” Moody stated.

“We know he’s an exciting player and what he can bring to the table.

“That’s why we embraced the opportunity to have him as part of our squad. There’s no question about his capabilities and the impact he can have as a player. We welcome him wholeheartedly.”

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Tom Moody took the time to discuss Fakhar’s fitness status, noting that he appeared to be in excellent shape and fully prepared for the upcoming tournament.

“He looks great in the net sessions. He’s fitted in perfectly and has trained really well. We’re looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the table,” he concluded.

It’s worth noting that Fakhar Zaman recently revealed that he had been excluded from Pakistan’s white-ball team due to health issues following the T20 World Cup 2024.

However, he has recovered and is now focusing on making a strong comeback for the Champions Trophy 2025.

“I have recovered 100% and you will see me in the next international series which Pakistan plays,” he said.

“Actually, many people do not know this, but after the T20 World Cup, I got sick and due to my medical condition, I was not fit, so I was not part of the team.”

READ: Imam-ul-Haq, Abrar Ahmed named in Pakistan squad for West Indies Tests

Former Australian cricketer hails Azam Khan as a ‘rare player’

Former Australian cricketer Tom Moody, who is serving as the Director of Cricket for Desert Vipers in the International League T20 (ILT20), has heaped high praise on explosive Pakistan wicket-keeper Azam Khan.

The young wicket-keeper is part of the Desert Vipers squad, alongside his compatriots Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Amir, for the 2025 season of the ILT20, which will kick off later today.

Moody, during an interview, acknowledged Azam’s batting abilities and expressed hope that he would prove to be a real asset for Desert Vipers this season.

“We all know what he [Azam Khan] is capable of doing. He’s one of those rare players who, from ball one, can hit the ball out of the ground,” Tom Moody stated.

“Having players like that in this format of the game is a real bonus. I’m sure he’ll be looking forward to having a really impactful season for us.”

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Moody also praised Mohammad Amir, highlighting his quality while expressing excitement to work with the Pakistan pacer again.

“Amir is an outstanding bowler. He was with us last year, and we know what he’s capable of. I’ve worked with Amir in other tournaments, and he’s a real asset,” he said.

“There’s no question about his quality and class as a quick bowler. It’s exciting to have him with us again.”

For the unversed, Azam Khan and Mohammad Amir represented Desert Vipers in the last season as well. Amir returned with 12 wickets in nine games at an average of 21.08.

Meanwhile, Azam smashed 159 runs in seven innings at an average of 31.80 and a whopping strike-rate of 176.66.

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Fakhar Zaman signed by Desert Vipers for ILT20 2025

DUBAI: The International League T20 (ILT20) franchise Desert Vipers have roped in explosive Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman for the third edition of the cash-rich league.

Fakhar, who has proved his mettle across the world for his belligerent strokeplay, spearheaded the new players’ signings list for the ILT20 Season 3.

The Southpaw will join his fellow countrymen wicket-keeper Azam Khan and left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir, who were retained by Desert Vipers.

However, Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was an integral part of Desert Vipers in the last season, was not named in the retention list of the franchise due to his international commitments.

The third season of the ILT20 will be played from January 11 to February 9 next year in thee cities of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.

New Signings and Retentions

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

New signings: Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Gudakesh Motie, Hassan Khan, Roston Chase and Terrance Hinds

Retentions: Aditya Shetty, Ali Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Andre Russell, Andries Ghous, Charith Asalanka, David Willey, Joe Clarke, Laurie Evans, Michael Pepper and Sunil Narine

Desert Vipers

New signings: Dan Lawrence, David Payne, Fakhar Zaman, Lockie Ferguson and Max Holden

Retentions: Adam Hose, Alex Hales, Ali Naseer, Azam Khan, Bas de Leede, Luke Wood, Michael Jones, Mohammad Amir, Nathan Sowter, Sherfane Rutherford, Tanish Suri and Wanindu Hasaranga

Dubai Capitals

New signings: Adam Rossington, Brandon McMullen, Garuka Sanketh, Gulbadin Naib, Jeffrey Vandersay, Joe Burns, Joe Weatherley, Najibullah Zadran, Obed McCoy, Scott Kuggeleijn, Sharafuddin Ashraf and Shai Hope

Retentions: Dasun Shanaka, David Warner, Dushmantha Chameera, Haider Ali, Raja Akif, Rovman Powell, Sam Billings, Sikandar Raza, Zahir Khan, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Oliver Stone

Gulf Giants

New signings: Adam Lyth, Dominic Drakes, Daniel Worrall, Ibrahim Zadran, Mark Adair, Tom Curran, Tymal Mills and Wahidullah Zadran

Retentions: Aayan Afzal Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Chris Jordan, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gerhard Erasmus, Jamie Overton, James Vince, Jamie Smith, Jordan Cox, Mohammad Zuhaib Zubair, Rehan Ahmed, and Shimron Hetmyer

MI Emirates

New signings: Romario Shepherd, Tom Banton, Fareed Ahmad, Thomas Jack Draca, Ben Charlesworth

Retentions: Akeal Hosein, Andre Fletcher, Daniel Mousley, Dwayne Bravo, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Jordan Thompson, Kieron Pollard, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Muhammad Waseem, Nicholas Pooran, Nosthush Kenjige, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Waqar Salamkheil

Sharjah Warriorz

New signings: Adam Milne, Adil Rashid, Ashton Agar, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Daniel Sams, Gus Atkinson, Harmeet Singh, Jason Roy, Karim Janat, Keemo Paul, Matthew Wade, Virandeep Singh and Tim Seifert

Retentions: Dilshan Madushanka, Johnson Charles, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah, Kusal Mendis, Luke Wells, Peter Hatzoglou and Tom Kohler-Cadmore

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Azam Khan becomes first Pakistan cricketer to sign for UAE’s ILT20

KARACHI: Right-handed explosive batter Azam Khan became the first Pakistan cricketer to be signed by the newly-introduced cash-rich league of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The hard-hitting batter will represent the Glazer Family promoted Desert Vipers as the franchise acquired the services of Azam for the inaugural edition of International League T20.

Following his signing with the ILT20 franchise, Azam became the first Pakistan cricketer to be recruited by the UAE league, which sparked a controversy regarding posing a threat to international cricket.

Taking to Twitter, Desert Vipers also confirmed the signing of Pakistan hard-hitting batter Azam and termed it an exciting addition to the side.

“Pakistan [wicketkeeper-batter] Azam Khan is an exciting addition to Desert Vipers!” the ILT20 franchise wrote.

“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 [Desert Vipers],” the caption added.

https://twitter.com/TheDesertVipers/status/1560638235105038336

Earlier, Azam has also been granted a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for participating in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The right-handed batter will represent Barbados Royals in the league, set to commence on September 1.

Azam has played three T20Is for Pakistan and has represented Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators in the PSL, Overseas Warriors in Kashmir Premier League, and Galle Gladiators in Lanka Premier League.

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