Dubai, UAE (Oct 18, 2023)–Leading UAE All-rounder Rohan Mustafa, retained by the Desert Vipers for season two of the DP World ILT20, is excited at the prospect of returning to the side and reuniting with the team’s coaches and players. He believes the Vipers have the perfect mix to go one better and take home the trophy.Speaking to the Vipers Voices podcast, the player said: “I believe a hundred percent (that the Desert Vipers can win).The team combination is the best right now. There are bowlers who can also hit lower down the order like Shaheen Afridi. While luck plays a role with regards to winning the toss, I believe the team is well balanced and I hope we do well and win the tournament.”In season one Mustafa was handed the job of opening the batting alongside England star batter Alex Hales. It was a role he performed successfully and hopes to retain that role in season two as well: “I would like to open again, but whatever the team combination is I am happy to play further down the order or wherever they want me.”The 35-year-old was part of the ILT20 Development Tournament held in the UAE earlier this month. This pool is expected to supply up to thirteen UAE players to play alongside the eleven retained players, across six teams in season two of the DP World ILT20.Looking back at the Development Tournament, the highly regarded UAE all-rounder shared the names of players to watch out for: “There were a lot of players who showed their skills. There were some talents who did not perform as well because sometimes it is a matter of luck too. Asif Khan is one of the best batters in UAE cricket along with Usman Khan. They are both doing really well in domestic cricket and are consistent performers right now. I believe a hundred percent that both these players will be picked by some teams in the ILT20.“Other good players who might be picked are Basil Hameed, who is an off-spinner and middle order batter and Alishan Sharafu is also much improved. In the bowling department Haider Ali did well with the ball, as did Abdul Ghaffar and Wasim Akram. An all-rounder who shone was Umair Ali Khan, so I believe that whoever gets selected for the ILT20 will be able to perform well.”
