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.”
On the experience of leading the Thunderbolts in the ILT20 Development Tournament:
“It was a great experience. We picked a number of new players and had to learn about them and the positions they wanted to bat, and bowl in, and what their mindset was, in a short period of time. The toss played an important role as well, but overall, it was a great tournament, and saw a lot of new talent emerge. Everyone was trying to show their skills, as the players knew they were being watched. There were a number of team selectors (ILT20) there as well.”
On whether opening the innings in the last two matches of the ILT20 Development Tournament was keeping in mind the ILT20 role he is likely to play for the Desert Vipers (he opened with Alex Hales in season one):
“When the tournament started, I spoke to our head coach Khurram Khan, about opening the innings for the Thunderbolts, but he was of the opinion that since I was a senior player who had already been retained by the Desert Vipers, it would be good to give the other players on the squad a chance to show their skills in the tournament. I agreed with this, and I did not mind giving other players an opportunity as well. In the first three matches we did that, and for the last two matches I spoke to the coach and felt we needed to win these matches and I needed to open. I felt it was important to score at the top of the order and take advantage of the powerplay. I also explained that I could open in the ILT20 (for the Desert Vipers), and this would be good practice for me, and the head coach agreed.”
On what he has been up to since season one of the DP World ILT20:
“ We went to Nepal for a few series including the Asia Cup Qualifiers where we lost to Nepal in final. We also went to Zimbabwe for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament which was a very good tournament. We (UAE) also played several 50-over matches during the last few months.”
Reflecting on season one of the DP World ILT20 tournament:
“When I came into the tournament I was quite down (in spirit) as I had not been selected for the UAE (T20) World Cup squad, but Tom Moody, James Foster, Neil McKenzie and all the coaches spoke to me and they showed trust in me in all departments of the game, including batting, bowling and fielding. I did not expect them to give me the opportunity to open (the innings), but they trusted me, and they told me to go in and hit out and take advantage of the powerplay.
“There were a lot of big players in the team who guided me and advised me on how to approach the game. In the first three matches, I was trying to hit every ball, but then Dinesh Chandimal came to me at breakfast one day and told me that I should back my talent, and the fact that I could hit any bowler, but he also said I should take advantage of the whole range of my batting and take singles as well. After that I took that advice and did well, I tried to take my time at the wicket as well. I tried to take some balls to get in and then start hitting and that really helped me.
“Another day I was practicing at the ICC academy and Tom Moody came to me and told me that I should take my time (while batting), and I did not have to go after every ball; he said if I thought I could not hit a bowler easily, I should just take singles and rotate the strike. He said if we could get past the first six overs without losing a wicket and score 50 to 60 runs it would be a positive for us. The main thing was how they (the players and coaches) gave me confidence and how they treated me and guided me for everything and that allowed me to do well.”
On working with Desert Vipers spin coach Carl Crowe:
“It was really good because he (Carl Crowe) would always come to me and chat to me about where to bowl, especially on these kind of wickets (in the UAE). We had a lot of meetings, and even though I did not get that many opportunities to bowl, he said I would get the chance and he predicted I would do well. We had chats after every match, and it was very useful. The main thing was how much confidence they (Carl Crowe and all the coaches and players) gave me, and how they treated me, even when I got hit for sixes in some matches. He (Carl Crowe) would say to me that the batter hit good shots and that I should not blame myself. That really helped me. I am really happy they (the coaches) are all coming back, and it will be easy for me to talk to them and take ideas and work with them.”
On how much he enjoyed playing with the Desert Vipers:
“The Desert Vipers reached the final and that was big for us. We played with some big coaches and players like Colin Munro, who is one of the best T20 players around, as well as Alex Hales. There were plenty of such players around and when you play with them you get excited and get energy from them. When you get the chance to play, you have to do your best, because you do not get such opportunities other than that. In these kind of leagues, you have to do your best and show your skills.”
On his role in the Desert Vipers team in season two:
“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.”
On Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan and Azam Khan joining the Desert Vipers:
“We know Shaheen Afridi is one of the best bowlers in the world, I have seen him on TV mostly, and it will be great to play with him. Shadab Khan is one of the best all-rounders in the world he will be great for us. Azam Khan is someone I (have played with in the past and) will be playing with in the T10 tournament in Abu Dhabi as well. When I met him last, I told him he was my favourite batsman, and it will be great to play with him.”
On playing Shaheen Afridi in the nets:
“I would love to play him as when you play such a good bowler in the nets you get confidence in the match as well.”
On enduring friendships that developed in the first season of DP World ILT20:
“Yes, I remain in touch with many players like Matheesha Pathirana since we played in the Desert Vipers and also in the T10 tournament. I also remained in touch with the coaches who said they were happy to help me with anything I needed advice on.”
On Bas de Leede joining the Desert Vipers:
“He is one of the best Associate players in the world right now and he has been playing very well. In the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier he scored a hundred and took five wickets in the same game. He is one of only four men to achieve this along with Vivian Richards, Paul Collingwood and me so I would love to meet him and take a picture with him. He is in very good touch, and it will be good to play with him.”
On learnings from season one of the DP World ILT20:
“The best players in the world have confidence and trust themselves, and it was good to see their routines and their practice sessions. When these top players train, they take it deep and they play with all their heart, and I noticed that. I also watched how these players took on the top bowlers and how they played good bowlers. The batters tried to take advantage if they were in good touch and that meant they did not give up their wicket easily.”
On players emerging from the ILT20 Development Tournament:
“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.”
Can the Desert Vipers win it this time:
“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.”
The second edition of the ILT20 is scheduled to start in January 2024. The Desert Vipers finished as runners-up in the inaugural edition of the tournament in January and February 2023.
Among the players the Desert Vipers have retained from that first edition are English opening batter Alex Hales, who scored the competition’s first-ever individual hundred and finished as its leading run-scorer, and Wanindu Hasaranga, the Sri Lanka wrist-spinner, the top wicket-taker in the past two editions of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
“It was a great experience. We picked a number of new players and had to learn about them and the positions they wanted to bat, and bowl in, and what their mindset was, in a short period of time. The toss played an important role as well, but overall, it was a great tournament, and saw a lot of new talent emerge. Everyone was trying to show their skills, as the players knew they were being watched. There were a number of team selectors (ILT20) there as well.”
On whether opening the innings in the last two matches of the ILT20 Development Tournament was keeping in mind the ILT20 role he is likely to play for the Desert Vipers (he opened with Alex Hales in season one):
“When the tournament started, I spoke to our head coach Khurram Khan, about opening the innings for the Thunderbolts, but he was of the opinion that since I was a senior player who had already been retained by the Desert Vipers, it would be good to give the other players on the squad a chance to show their skills in the tournament. I agreed with this, and I did not mind giving other players an opportunity as well. In the first three matches we did that, and for the last two matches I spoke to the coach and felt we needed to win these matches and I needed to open. I felt it was important to score at the top of the order and take advantage of the powerplay. I also explained that I could open in the ILT20 (for the Desert Vipers), and this would be good practice for me, and the head coach agreed.”
On what he has been up to since season one of the DP World ILT20:
“ We went to Nepal for a few series including the Asia Cup Qualifiers where we lost to Nepal in final. We also went to Zimbabwe for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament which was a very good tournament. We (UAE) also played several 50-over matches during the last few months.”
Reflecting on season one of the DP World ILT20 tournament:
“When I came into the tournament I was quite down (in spirit) as I had not been selected for the UAE (T20) World Cup squad, but Tom Moody, James Foster, Neil McKenzie and all the coaches spoke to me and they showed trust in me in all departments of the game, including batting, bowling and fielding. I did not expect them to give me the opportunity to open (the innings), but they trusted me, and they told me to go in and hit out and take advantage of the powerplay.
“There were a lot of big players in the team who guided me and advised me on how to approach the game. In the first three matches, I was trying to hit every ball, but then Dinesh Chandimal came to me at breakfast one day and told me that I should back my talent, and the fact that I could hit any bowler, but he also said I should take advantage of the whole range of my batting and take singles as well. After that I took that advice and did well, I tried to take my time at the wicket as well. I tried to take some balls to get in and then start hitting and that really helped me.
“Another day I was practicing at the ICC academy and Tom Moody came to me and told me that I should take my time (while batting), and I did not have to go after every ball; he said if I thought I could not hit a bowler easily, I should just take singles and rotate the strike. He said if we could get past the first six overs without losing a wicket and score 50 to 60 runs it would be a positive for us. The main thing was how they (the players and coaches) gave me confidence and how they treated me and guided me for everything and that allowed me to do well.”
On working with Desert Vipers spin coach Carl Crowe:
“It was really good because he (Carl Crowe) would always come to me and chat to me about where to bowl, especially on these kind of wickets (in the UAE). We had a lot of meetings, and even though I did not get that many opportunities to bowl, he said I would get the chance and he predicted I would do well. We had chats after every match, and it was very useful. The main thing was how much confidence they (Carl Crowe and all the coaches and players) gave me, and how they treated me, even when I got hit for sixes in some matches. He (Carl Crowe) would say to me that the batter hit good shots and that I should not blame myself. That really helped me. I am really happy they (the coaches) are all coming back, and it will be easy for me to talk to them and take ideas and work with them.”
On how much he enjoyed playing with the Desert Vipers:
“The Desert Vipers reached the final and that was big for us. We played with some big coaches and players like Colin Munro, who is one of the best T20 players around, as well as Alex Hales. There were plenty of such players around and when you play with them you get excited and get energy from them. When you get the chance to play, you have to do your best, because you do not get such opportunities other than that. In these kind of leagues, you have to do your best and show your skills.”
On his role in the Desert Vipers team in season two:
“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.”
On Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan and Azam Khan joining the Desert Vipers:
“We know Shaheen Afridi is one of the best bowlers in the world, I have seen him on TV mostly, and it will be great to play with him. Shadab Khan is one of the best all-rounders in the world he will be great for us. Azam Khan is someone I (have played with in the past and) will be playing with in the T10 tournament in Abu Dhabi as well. When I met him last, I told him he was my favourite batsman, and it will be great to play with him.”
On playing Shaheen Afridi in the nets:
“I would love to play him as when you play such a good bowler in the nets you get confidence in the match as well.”
On enduring friendships that developed in the first season of DP World ILT20:
“Yes, I remain in touch with many players like Matheesha Pathirana since we played in the Desert Vipers and also in the T10 tournament. I also remained in touch with the coaches who said they were happy to help me with anything I needed advice on.”
On Bas de Leede joining the Desert Vipers:
“He is one of the best Associate players in the world right now and he has been playing very well. In the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier he scored a hundred and took five wickets in the same game. He is one of only four men to achieve this along with Vivian Richards, Paul Collingwood and me so I would love to meet him and take a picture with him. He is in very good touch, and it will be good to play with him.”
On learnings from season one of the DP World ILT20:
“The best players in the world have confidence and trust themselves, and it was good to see their routines and their practice sessions. When these top players train, they take it deep and they play with all their heart, and I noticed that. I also watched how these players took on the top bowlers and how they played good bowlers. The batters tried to take advantage if they were in good touch and that meant they did not give up their wicket easily.”
On players emerging from the ILT20 Development Tournament:
“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.”
Can the Desert Vipers win it this time:
“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.”
The second edition of the ILT20 is scheduled to start in January 2024. The Desert Vipers finished as runners-up in the inaugural edition of the tournament in January and February 2023.
Among the players the Desert Vipers have retained from that first edition are English opening batter Alex Hales, who scored the competition’s first-ever individual hundred and finished as its leading run-scorer, and Wanindu Hasaranga, the Sri Lanka wrist-spinner, the top wicket-taker in the past two editions of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
