Top-order batter Dan Lawrence intends to hit the ground running in the upcoming DP World ILT20, thanks to playing in the ongoing Abu Dhabi T10.

The player, who was a consistent performer for the Vipers in season three of the tournament, is playing for the Ajman Titans in the Abu Dhabi T10 tournament, and he said he regarded it as a key part of his build-up to the UAE’s own T20 event. 

“There is no better practice than match practice,” Dan told the Vipers Voices podcast. “Even though it is a completely different format of the game it will help me to get used to batting in the UAE again, whether it is at the Abu Dhabi Stadium or Dubai.

“It is just great to get some practice. It is great to get the body moving and get used to the heat before the DP World ILT20 tournament starts.”

Dan Lawrence was one of only three players to have featured in every single Desert Vipers match last season, alongside player of the tournament Sam Curran and opening batter Alex Hales. Dan scored 281 runs at a strike rate of 143.36 and finished as the twelfth highest run-scorer in the tournament. 

The 28 year-old was one of seven players to be retained by the Vipers and he said he was pleased to return to what he calls the best franchise team in global cricket.

“As a player, it is always an absolute joy to feel like you are backed and that all your coaches and the staff there back you as a player and as a person, as a human being,” he said. 

“It was an honour to be retained and it is really nice to go back to an environment that I know and be a part of a team that you really want to win for. 

“We have not got over the line in the last couple of years and it would be great for us as a group to try and win this tournament.

“There are some really good people at the Vipers. It is not just the players, who are all really good lads. The coaching staff has been consistent, and they just create an incredible environment.

“In my experience of franchise cricket, it is the best-run team in the tournament and in the world, in my opinion. Whatever you need as a player is there. The training is always excellent.”

Lawrence said he was a big fan of the morning coffee club which returns this year thanks to Desert Vipers’ partner RAW Coffee, with the players having a chance to interact and drink top-quality coffee every morning in the team room. 

It is these little touches that Dan Lawrence said helped the players come together successfully as a unit: “I think what is really good about the Desert Vipers is you end up spending a lot of time with the players away from cricket. 

“Whether that is the whole team getting together in the morning and having a coffee or going out for a dinner or whether we are playing golf or paddle, it feels like a real team unit.

“I know Foz (Head Coach James Foster) is really keen on trying to get people together as much as possible. I really enjoyed the camaraderie last season and just trying to make it a really memorable month. It is a long time to be together (as a group), so it is key to try and make it really memorable and enjoyable.”

After losing February’s final to the Dubai Capitals, Dan said he was intent on ensuring the Vipers finally secured success in season four, and he refused to put that latest setback down to ill-fortune, despite the heartbreaking nature of the four-wicket defeat.

“I don’t think it was bad luck,” he said. “I think the quality of players in our team is outstanding. So, we definitely have the quality to win the tournament.

“But I think when we hopefully do get to the knockout stages (in season four) we need to be really clear in key moments of the game and then try to treat finals like any other game of cricket that we play. 

“Obviously, fielding is a massive part of that. We need to try and make sure we take all our chances and then just try to stay as calm as possible under pressure. 

“I know that is easier said than done, but I think if we are really clear and really relaxed on the day of any of the finals, then I think we will be okay”.

The top-order batter, who batted at three and four last season, said he was clear on where he would like to bat this time if he had the choice.

“(I would like to bat) as high as possible really. Thankfully, I can bat anywhere they (the coaches and captain) need me to, but I feel I would probably have my most impact (batting) at three or four if I get the chance to come in during the power play and then I would use my skill against spin in the middle. 

“I am just really keen to contribute with both bat and, if I get the chance to twist a few overs out as well, with the ball too, and in the field.”

Looking ahead to the upcoming action, which begins when the Desert Vipers face the Dubai Capitals in the season’s opener on the 2^nd of December, Dan said he was excited to catch up with some of the new faces on the team including Pakistan’s lethal fast bowler Naseem Shah, West Indies batting maestro Shimron Hetmyer and Afghanistan’s ace spinner Noor Ahmed.  

“I have played with Naseem (Shah) and Hetty (Shimron Hetmyer) before and obviously they are two world-class performers. 

“I am really excited to play alongside Noor Ahmad. I am very glad I do not actually have to face him. I am glad he is on my team. I think he is an absolute wizard and to have someone who can spin the ball both ways in T20 cricket and be a genuine wicket-taker is an absolutely pivotal thing to have in your team. 

“I am sure he is going to have a real impact this year and he will be a massive player for us.”

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.”

The Desert Vipers are pleased to announce their partnership with Aqualy as the Official Packaged Water Supplier for season four of the DP World ILT20. 

This collaboration unites two brands with a shared mission — to inspire healthier choices for people and the planet. Through this partnership, Aqualy will keep the Desert Vipers team, staff, and fans hydrated in an environmentally responsible way — replacing single-use plastic bottles with 100 per cent recyclable, FSC-certified Tetra Pak carton packaging. Together, the two brands are setting a new benchmark for sustainability in UAE sports, showing how small changes can create lasting impact.

While the Desert Vipers have moved away from single-use plastic bottles and moved to filtered water units and refillable water bottles for their own players, the management of the franchise has recognised on match days there are several areas in the stadium where single-use water solutions are unavoidable. 

Therefore, to reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles, the team has partnered with Aqualy, who produce sustainable Tetra Pak water cartons, to supply water in the stadium on Desert Vipers’ match days. 

These recyclable cartons will be branded in Desert Vipers colours and offered to guests in central and franchise hospitality areas and the media centre. 

All TV and broadcast crews, photographers and ground staff will also be supplied water in the Aqualy Tetra Pak cartons.

The reason for picking Aqualy as a supplier is simple: their cartons are significantly more environmentally-friendly than the previously used single-use plastic bottles. 

Tetra Pak has a much lower environmental impact than plastic and emits just 160 kgCO₂e per 1000 litres (L) of water in the Middle Eastern market. 

For comparison, virgin PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) plastic emits 287 kgCO₂e per 1000 L, recycled PET plastic emits 264 kgCO₂e per 1000 L, and a glass bottle emits 781 kgCO₂e per 1000 L. 

And aside from carbon emissions, Tetra Pak is less harmful to nature than plastic, so its overall environmental performance is impressive. 

The Desert Vipers CEO Phil Oliver welcomed the partnership with Aqualy and said: “We are pleased to welcome Aqualy as our Official Packaged Water Supplier for season four of the DP World ILT20. 

“As a group, the Desert Vipers have made several changes to reduce our impact on nature. I believe the most impactful thing that we are doing, aside from reducing our carbon footprint, is using better and more sustainable materials, while eradicating unnecessary plastic use.

“Aqualy offers us the chance to achieve this through their more sustainably produced Tetra Pak water cartons. These cartons are produced using primarily plant-based materials which are easily recyclable, which ensures a reduced negative impact on nature. 

“This season we expect to prevent the use of about 18,000 plastic bottles, thus saving around 262 kilos of plastic. These are impressive numbers and where single-use water solutions are unavoidable, this option is the best available for us.”

Olivia White, Managing Director, Aqualy Middle East added: “Partnering with the Desert Vipers represents more than hydration — it is a blueprint for how sport and sustainability can move forward together. 

“By introducing private-label water in carton, we are helping teams and sponsors replace plastic with a medium that tells their story, supports local circular economies, and aligns with the UAE’s Vision 2031 for a cleaner, more conscious future. This collaboration proves that every drop — and every choice — can drive meaningful change.”

The Desert Vipers are preparing for the fourth season of the DP World ILT20 and will play the first match of the upcoming tournament, meeting the Dubai Capitals at the Dubai International Stadium on 2 December, a repeat of the final from season three.

The Vipers have twice been finalists in the first three editions of the DP World ILT20, also playing the ultimate match in 2023.

Thomas (Tom) Bruce, the New Zealand-born batter picked up by the Desert Vipers in last month’s DP World ILT20 auction, has said he is very much looking forward to playing with rather than against Vipers captain Lockie Ferguson.

Bruce, now qualified for Scotland through his father who was born in Edinburgh, joined the Vipers as one of the franchise’s Associate player picks and made his debut for his adopted homeland in August, after previously playing 17 T20 Internationals for the Black Caps. 

And speaking to the Vipers Voices podcast the 34-year-old said he was most excited about playing alongside New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson.

Bruce said: “It is always nice to play with Lockie rather than against him. We have certainly had some good battles on the field and I have always enjoyed playing against Lockie as a competitor.

“There is just something about a fast bowler that as a batter, you go one of two ways: you either get up for it or you hide and crumble. 

“I have really enjoyed my battles with Lockie, and it will be awesome to be on the same team as him.

“And if you look at a few of the other guys, like Shimron Hetmyer, Fakhar Zaman and Sam Curran, there are some world-class names there. I am really looking forward to getting alongside them, gaining some knowledge and just being teammates. I am excited to get to know them as people as well as cricketers.”

Earlier this year Tom played an innings of 345 for the Central Stags against Auckland in New Zealand’s first-class competition. 

It was the third highest individual score in New Zealand’s domestic history, and although his team could not force a win in the four-day game, it was an effort that he said would stay with him forever.

Explaining his unique experience of playing for two different national teams, Tom said his dream of playing more international cricket was behind his decision to seek to represent Scotland: “I qualified through my father, who is born in Edinburgh, and his whole family were from Scotland, and they moved out to New Zealand at a young age.

“I still have a burning desire to play international cricket and think I have still got plenty of good years left in me, so I thought the time was right, while I am still in some form and still have plenty of cricket left in me, to make the change and to make the switch to Scotland. 

“Unfortunately, they (Scotland) have missed out on the T20 World Cup next year in February (in India and Sri Lanka) which is really disappointing for the side, and I know they are gutted with that result. But if you look ahead, there is a One Day World Cup in 2027 and another T20 World Cup in 2028, so there are a couple of goals on the horizon that we can strive to get towards.”

Tom Bruce was asleep in New Zealand when the DP World ILT20 auction was taking place and woke up early to news of his selection by the Vipers. But he was able to quickly get an insider’s view on the franchise and his role within it from Head Coach James Foster, who happened to be in New Zealand with the men’s national team.

“I was really fortunate in the week after the auction, because James Foster was with the Black Caps team, and he came to our pre-season training and worked with the (Central) Stags (Tom’s domestic team in New Zealand) and the Auckland Aces,” he said. 

“So it meant I got to catch up with him there in person, which was great. He had nothing but positive things to say about the team, the management, the ownership and everything that the team brings.

“He (James Foster) obviously laid out the expectations, and the hope to go one better than last year. (The Desert Vipers were losing finalists in season three of the DP World ILT20).

“Personally I do not have too many expectations. I am walking into a team environment, so I will be prepared to do whatever the team needs, whatever Fozzie and Tom Moody and Lockie think is going to be best for the team.”

Bruce added he was flexible about his batting position: “I have batted for the majority of my career in the middle order, but I told James Foster I was versatile and I could bat wherever I was needed and do whatever sort of role that the team needed at that time.”

Earlier this year Tom played an innings of 345 for the Central Stags against Auckland in New Zealand’s first-class competition. 

It was the third highest individual score in New Zealand’s domestic history, and although his team could not force a win in the four-day game, it was an effort that he said would stay with him forever.

“It was a special, special knock and certainly something I am pretty proud of,” he said. “I am not going to be emulating that feat any time soon again.

“It was certainly something I look back on as one of the top highlights in my career from an individual level.

“It is not going to get much better than that in first-class cricket. To score a century is great, a double-hundred is even better, but to go on and get a big score like that 345 was pretty special.” 

With a strike rate of 142 in T20s, plus his experience of playing in the Bangladesh Premier League, the Global T20 Super League in Guyana which featured the Dubai Capitals and his time on the New Zealand domestic circuit Bruce will add a lot of value to the Desert Vipers line-up. 

And while he acknowledged the strength across all the teams in season four of the DP World ILT20, he said he was hopeful the Vipers could go one better this season and win the title for the first time.

“You look at every team (in the DP World ILT20) and every team is strong,” he said. “Every team has some great names, some world-class players. And it shows the nature of this tournament and the fact that people want to play here. 

“The best in the world want to play in this tournament. So, it is a great opportunity to test yourself against the best.

“Hopefully we can come out on top and go one better than what the team did last season. I certainly think we have got the squad to do it. But like I say, you look at every squad and they all look tough.

“It is just about who is going to be the best on the day each time that you turn up to play.”

UAE wicketkeeper-batter Vriitya Aravind is looking to use the upcoming DP World ILT20 to make his case for a recall to the national team in time for next year’s ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

The 23-year-old, who has been part of the MI Emirates and Dubai Capitals squads in past editions of the tournament, was the first player picked up by any franchise when the Vipers snapped him up.

And speaking with the Vipers Voices podcast, the player who moved to the UAE aged nine from Chennai, said the ultimate prize of a spot at the global event was the perfect incentive for him to do well for Lockie Ferguson’s side.

“What better motivation can a player have than playing in the World Cup?” he asked. “I think it is every cricketer’s dream.

“I was lucky enough to play the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2022, but of course, I want to play the World Cup in 2026 and especially because it is happening in the country where my family is from.

“I think that will be unreal to go back to where I was born, to play cricket, representing the UAE in the World Cup. So the DP World ILT20 with the Desert Vipers will provide me with the opportunity to play some good cricket and put my name forward for that World Cup squad.”

Vriitya Aravind made his international debut in 2019 at the age of just seventeen and has played 63 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 48 T20 Internationals (T20Is) for the UAE. 

But in 2025 he found himself on the outside looking in and this calendar year has only played two ODIs, with his most recent T20I appearance coming in January 2024. 

Aravind said he was determined to regain his national spot through strong form in domestic tournaments, including the DP World ILT20.

And recently the right-hander put his best foot forward by being part of a championship-winning side, Sharjah, in the Emirates D20 tournament, where he was  the highest run scorer with 466 runs. 

Reflecting on his absence from the UAE team, Vriitya said his biggest takeaway was to never take his place in the national set-up for granted.

“I think for all cricketers, performances matter the most,” he said. “I think the more runs I score in domestic cricket and under the coach’s eyes in the practise games, that is what will get me back into the team. 

“It has been tough for the past one year just because (until a year ago) I was a mainstay in the team from the time I made my debut and then, of course, not playing (was tough).

“But I think when blips like that happen, you learn more about the game. You know more about yourself. 

“I think next time, when I get the opportunity, I will not take it for granted because I had a very smooth ride into the under-16s, the under-19s and then playing for the men’s T20I and ODI teams.

“I never really had a blip in my career and this is the first time I experienced it. So when that opportunity presents itself again I will value that way more than when I made my debut. So, I think the comeback is going to be stronger than when I actually made my debut, for sure.”

Vriitya, who has close to 2000 ODI runs and more than 1000 T20I runs under his belt, was not the first person to find out he had been picked by the Vipers at the auction. He said: “I had a bit of a time delay in the feed I was watching of the auction, so when my name came up my phone had already started blowing up because a couple of my friends and two of my coaches were actually at the venue of the auction, messaging me to let me know. 

“When the phone went off I did not want to read my messages because I did not want to know. I wanted to have the whole thing to play out in real life. I wanted to experience it in person. But when the phone started ringing, I knew someone had bid for me.

“It was pretty exciting to see who it was. And it was Vipers. 

“I think I was a bit nervous, of course. I would be lying if I did not admit that I was a bit nervous, especially because I have not played much cricket over the last one year with the national team. 

“In the first two years (of the DP World ILT20), I kind of knew I would get picked because I had had two very good years in international cricket.

“But this year I played a bit in franchise tournaments and some club cricket. So, I felt this time, if someone picked me, it would be like reigniting the flame in me to play cricket again. It was pretty surreal that the Vipers did (pick me) and I think I will always be very loyal to the Vipers for doing that this year.”

Vriitya said he was excited about the Vipers team composition and certain the team can go on to lift the title for the first time this term.

“One hundred per cent I think the Vipers can win this year,” he said. “I am not just saying that because I am in the Vipers squad this year. It is because of the team balance we have got.

“We have got a very good mixture of youth and experience. And I think that is the recipe which any T20 team needs to succeed, especially in the way cricket is played these days.”

Vriitya said he was also excited about joining forces with the two players from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, Faisal Khan and Bilal Tahir, who have now joined the squad as part of the DP World ILT20’s initiative to formally integrate regional cricketers into the league.

“I have played a couple of games against both of them,” he said. “I remember Bilal Tahir as a big, clean hitter of the ball. He bats left-handed and can whack the ball hard. And the same with Faisal Khan. Faisal hits a long ball as well.

“We have come up against each other, but it will be a good experience sharing the dressing room with them because we have been playing against each other in the Gulf Cup tournaments every year. 

“It will be good to rub shoulders with them and get their inputs about how they see cricket and how they view cricket in the region. I am really looking forward to that.”

Vriitya’s international experience includes being part of the UAE squad that took part in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia – and he was a key contributor to one of the great moments in the country’s cricketing history, the hat-trick taken by former Viper Karthik Meiyappan.

“It still gives me goosebumps to this day that one of my best friends has a World Cup hat-trick against Sri Lanka. And I was a small part of it as well. 

“I took a catch as the second wicket of his hat-trick was a caught-behind. And then when he got his hat-trick, I was so excited. I was running, tripped over my feet, fell down, smashed my helmet on the floor, and did not even realise the pain.

“I got back up, running again to catch him because he just started sprinting after his hat-trick.

“That was a surreal moment.”