Azam Khan on new sustainable kit: “I really like the design of the shirt, but the special thing about this shirt is that it is made out of recycled material. That is something that is very surprising to me, because I thought it would not be as breathable. But this is very nice and very comfortable.”
Luke Wood on season three of the DP World ILT20: “When we (Desert Vipers) come together as a group our expectation is to try and win the whole thing. We have a good squad as we have had last two seasons, and I am looking forward to it.”
Phil Oliver, CEO, Desert Vipers, on the new sustainable kit: “We are delighted to unveil our playing kit for season three of the DP World ILT20. We recently announced our three-year deal with Palm Fit, and the most important aspect of this partnership is the opportunity that we are creating for all sports teams, both grassroots and professional, to join us on our journey by choosing UAE-made sustainable sportswear. We know that this reduces our carbon emissions associated with kit by over fifty percent.”

Dubai, UAE (November 6, 2024) – Desert Vipers fast bowler Luke Wood and wicket-keeper-batter Azam Khan were in Dubai at the SEE Institute to lead the launch of the team’s sustainable match kit (made from recycled polyester) for season three of the DP World ILT20. Both players responded positively to the look and feel of the kit, while remaining hopeful of the team’s performance in the tournament next year.

Azam Khan commented on the kit and said wearing it reminded him that he would be part of the Desert Vipers at the DP World ILT20. “I am very excited about being back with the Vipers, and even though the tournament is a bit far away, wearing the kit made me much closer to the tournament.

“I really like the design of the shirt, but the special thing about this shirt is that it is made out of recycled material. That is something that is very surprising to me, because I thought it would not be as breathable. But this is very nice and very comfortable.”

Luke Wood agreed with Azam and said he was a fan of the new kit too: “It is great to put the (Desert Vipers) jersey back on and it feels like the tournament is getting closer.

“It is great, it has got the same colours, but it feels more like a football shirt. The material is nice, and I like the fitting as well, and most importantly it is breathable.”

Azam added that the team’s sustainability policies were important, and he hoped the Desert Vipers’ example would be followed by others too. “This is helping the planet, and I still have the aluminium bottles (from last season, when the team adopted the no-plastic bottles policy) and I do not use plastic at home,” he said.

“We all want to contribute and make the world a better place to live in, and these are the small changes we can make. In fact, I would recommend all the other teams to also follow this sustainability process with their match kits and that would be really good.”

Desert Vipers CEO Phil Oliver expressed his satisfaction and said he could not be more pleased with the direction the team’s sustainability initiatives was taking. “We are delighted to unveil our playing kit for season three of the DP World ILT20,” he said.

“We recently announced our three-year deal with Palm Fit, and the most important aspect of this partnership is the opportunity that we are creating for all sports teams, both grassroots and professional, to join us on our journey by choosing UAE-made sustainable sportswear. We know that this reduces our carbon emissions associated with kit by over fifty percent.”

Looking ahead to preparations for season three, Azam said he would not be playing in the Abu Dhabi T10 competition but would get in some practice at home: “I am going to play in a domestic tournament back in Pakistan in December, and that would give me good practice coming into the DP World ILT20.”

Wood said he would be participating in the Abu Dhabi T10 and possibly the Lanka T10 in his build up to the ILT20 but planned to arrive early: “I will come out here early, and do some training outside, because at home at this time of year it is impossible, so that is what my preparation looks like before we start all over again.”

With the ICC Champions Trophy ODI tournament scheduled to be played in Pakistan in February 2025, Azam Khan admitted he was not expecting to get into the national side for that event as the format did not suit his game: “It has been two years since I have played a List A game, and right now my focus is on T20 cricket because I enjoy playing a fast format game,” he said.“I know you have to be correct and know how to play a forward defence and a backfoot defence, but I like to smash every ball and T20 cricket and T10 cricket allows me to do that, and I am looking forward to playing the T20 tournament.”

Luke Wood meanwhile confirmed he was keen to play for England again and revealed how he was going about getting noticed by the selectors. “I try not to put too much pressure on myself. I have been playing for them (England) on and off over the last couple of years. That has been a great experience and I have really loved doing that,” he said.

“All I say is that I try and put on good performances wherever I play, whether that is the T10, the ILT20 or the IPL. Whenever I get the ball in my hand I try and put in performances and then see where it takes me.”

Batter Fakhar Zaman is one of the Desert Vipers new signings this season and Azam Khan said he was super-excited to link up with his compatriot.

“I am looking forward to playing alongside Fakhar Zaman,” he said. “He is a player who can change the course of the game at any point, whether he plays in the middle-order or as an opener. I am really excited that he is on my side and cannot wait to see him smashing the ball in the UAE.”

With victory at the heart of their ambitions for the Desert Vipers in the coming season, Azam Khan and Luke Wood said they were excited about reuniting with the squad. Azam said: “Last year I personally thought we had the best team in the tournament, but somehow we could not deliver. But I am glad the core of the team has been retained, and I have played with most of the guys all over the world. I am excited to play alongside them and I really want to win this tournament.”

Luke Wood added: “When we (Desert Vipers) come together as a group our expectation is to try and win the whole thing. We have a good squad as we have had for the last two seasons, and I do not want to get too ahead of ourselves, but I am looking forward to it.”

Players joining the squad this year include explosive Pakistan top-order batter Fakhar Zaman, ex-England under-19 captain Max Holden, England seam bowler David Payne who was part of the Gloucestershire side that won the T20 Blast in England and Wales in 2024, and New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson.

They join a dressing room that already features star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga from Sri Lanka, Pakistan left-armer Mohammad Amir, plus Alex Hales, the man who was the leading run-scorer and maker of the tournament’s first hundred in season one.

And the UAE players already locked in are outstanding young all-rounder Ali Naseer and talented wicketkeeper-batter Tanish Suri.