Khuzaima Bin Tanveer’s pace, along with his clever variations, have made him an integral part of the Desert Vipers squad.
As the only UAE player to have been retained ahead of the auction in October, a significant role is already mapped out for the player in next month’s DP World ILT20 and he is focussed and clear about what he wants to achieve.
Speaking to the Vipers Voices podcast Khuzaima Bin Tanveer said: “I have only one goal. I just want to make my team win the tournament.”
Khuzaima played a crucial role in the team’s journey to the final in season three, taking a four-wicket haul against the Sharjah Warriorz in his debut game, and then supporting the team and the fast-bowling unit in the seven appearances he made.
Khuzaima bowled the last over of the final, where the Vipers lost to the Dubai Capitals and said that defeat bothered him. He told Vipers Voices he spent a lot of time reliving that over and analysing what he could have done differently.
“I thought about the final and the final over for two months,” he said. “I thought about how I could have bowled a yorker in that final over, or a slower one. When I was bowling the last two balls, it was [a] really hard feeling. And I do not want to feel that again this year.
“But I think it is a part of the game. So, we just can improve ourselves, our skills, our mindset. In the upcoming tournament (DP World ILT20 season four) I will definitely go in with a strong mindset.”
The positive approach from Khuzaima is boosted by his faith in the squad and coaching team, a group that, in his opinion, have what it takes to bring home the trophy this year.
“Of course, we can win this time,” he said. “I am not expecting anything less. The franchise is perfect, the coaches are perfect, and whatever they are doing is absolutely perfect.”
Also heartening for Khuzaima, moving into season four, is the faith his captain – another fast bowler par excellence, Lockie Ferguson, has in him. Ferguson had told Vipers Voices previously that he was impressed with the UAE-based fast bowler’s carefully planned approach.
“Yes it is a compliment (that Lockie Ferguson thought I was clear with my bowling plans and mature in my approach),” Khuzaima said. “Actually, I asked the skipper how I could improve my bowling, and what he was looking for from his fast bowlers.
“He told me I did not need to do anything different. The captain said I knew how to bowl a yorker, how to bowl a cutter, how to bowl a knuckle ball, how to swing the ball and how to reverse-swing the ball and that was sufficient. His main instruction was just ‘go and bowl fast’.”
Although Khuzaima Bin Tanveer has one year to go before he can represent the UAE national squad as per the International Cricket Council eligibility rules, the Emirates Cricket Board has recognised his talent. He is now regularly invited to the men’s team national camps to train with the rest of the squad.
Khuzaim’s talent was on show in that dream debut in season three when he took 4-22 against the Sharjah Warriorz. His wicket count included UAE legend Rohan Mustafa, wicket-keeper batter Tim Seifert, Sharjah captain Tim Southee and all-rounder Luke Wells.
Khuzaima said he still remembered that day: “I was thrilled by my first game, I was not expecting it (such a good performance) from myself in the very first game, when making my debut in such a big league.
“So, when I achieved that, my confidence levels grew up and I think the rest of the games became more comfortable for me because in the first game, if you perform like that, your confidence grows up. So, I think I did not feel any pressure in the upcoming games after that debut match.”
