Cricket in the UAE has huge potential for growth: Vipers’ CEO
Since the launch of the UAE League (ILT20) earlier this year, there was an obvious curiosity around the interest shown by a US finance firm in owning a cricket franchise. Phil Oliver, the CEO of Desert Vipers, the ILT20 side owned by Avram Glazer of Lancer Capital, has confirmed they were keen to embrace the sport and the UAE competition was the “ideal opportunity”.
“Cricket is a hugely popular sport with global appeal and we’re excited about the prospect of being involved with a league in UAE at its inception,” Oliver told Cricbuzz on Sunday (August 21). “T20 cricket continues to go from strength to strength and the chance to help develop a new, elite tournament in the region is exciting. Cricket in the UAE has huge potential for growth. The world class facilities, location and governance make the Emirates the ideal hub for a genuinely international T20 event, which will engage both a global and local audience,” the UK-based CEO of Vipers added.
The franchise was expected to sign a host of Pakistan players as it does not have the pressure the other five sides, all owned by Indians, have. But it ended up signing only Azam Khan ahead of more popular names like Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. “We focused on signing quality players that we expect to be available. Multi-format players from all nations have busy schedules and that includes such Pakistan players. Teams have their own strategies in assembling squads — it’s one of the things that makes this league interesting — and ours led us to a group that we think has good balance and opportunity to succeed in the event,” Oliver said, explaining the reason.
He added, “ILT20 has the potential to not just transform cricket in the region, but to help the development of Associate nation players. That’s an important part of this league – the playing squads will have a diverse mix of talent from many nations that fans will love watching.”
Sam Billings is tipped to be the captain but the Vipers executive cautioned against speculations. “Desert Vipers have an experienced group of players that have played a huge amount of T20 cricket, including in UAE. A captain will be announced in due course, but there is plenty of leadership in the squad that will not just come from the captain,” Oliver said.
Oliver also quashed speculation around the involvement of Manchester United football club in the league. “The link with Manchester United is just through some common ownership. Desert Vipers are not owned by Manchester United, we are an independent team and are run as such. We are a new team that is at the start of its cricket journey and under hugely experienced cricket management will develop an aggressive and entertaining brand of cricket. Lancer Capital were keen to enter cricket and this league was the ideal opportunity.”
