UAE cricketer Aayan Afzal Khan, one of the nation’s most promising young talents, is eagerly preparing for his third season with the Gulf Giants in the International League T20 (ILT20).
With 36 T20Is and 37 wickets under his belt, Aayan sees the league as a critical platform for local players to showcase their skills and compete against international stars.
“This league is very important because it gives opportunities to local players to compete against international players,” said Aayan. “Players who perform well in this league could also get chances in other franchise leagues.”
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The ILT20 mandates the inclusion of at least two UAE players in each playing XI, ensuring that local cricketers have a significant role in the tournament. Aayan acknowledged this initiative, saying, “The ILT20 is a very good league and an excellent initiative that gives UAE players a platform. In the future, more players will be interested because they know this league provides opportunities to grow. It’s a great initiative, and we (UAE players) have also worked hard, so all franchises also show faith in local players.”
The Gulf Giants have been a formidable team in the league, clinching the title in the inaugural season and reaching the playoffs in the second.
Reflecting on the team’s journey, Aayan said, “The first season was very good for our team because we won that season. In the second season, we qualified for the playoffs but overall, these two seasons were great for our team. Our team operates like a family, and all the players contributed and did their part well.”
Aayan also recalled a memorable moment from last season, saying, “The most memorable moment for me was against Sharjah Warriorz when I took two wickets in two balls in my first over. That was special for me because it gave our team a great start, and we won that match comfortably.”
The Gulf Giants are set to kick off their campaign on January 12, 2025 against Sharjah Warriorz at the Dubai International Stadium. Aayan expressed his gratitude to fans for their unwavering support, saying, “My message to all the fans in UAE is to continue supporting us like you did in the first season when we won the trophy. Hopefully, we’ll win again this time. Thank you to all the fans and supporters who come to the stadiums.”
The ILT20, running from 11 January to 9 February 2025, will feature several international superstars, including Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and David Warner, alongside exciting debutants like Tim Southee and Fakhar Zaman. With a mix of seasoned players and rising stars like Aayan, the league is poised to deliver another thrilling season of cricket.
