DUBAI: Former Australian cricketer and current director of cricket for the Desert Vipers in the UAE World ILT20, Tom Moody, praised the Pakistani players in his team, especially Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan and Muhammad Amir, ahead of the new season .
In an interview, Moody shared his enthusiasm for the Desert Vipers team’s talent and praised Zaman’s performance.
“At the end of the day, as long as he’s delivering for the Desert Vipers, that’s a real bonus for us,” Moody commented on Zaman.
“We know what an exciting player he is and what he can bring to the table. That’s why we embrace the opportunity to have him as part of our squad. There is no doubt about his capabilities and the impact he can have as a player. We welcome you with all our hearts,” he said.
On Zaman’s fitness, Moody added: “He looks great in the net sessions. He has adapted perfectly and trained very well. We are looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the table.”
Recently, in an interview, Zaman spoke about his fitness and his vision to be strong set at the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
“100%, I will play for Pakistan again,” Fakhar said.
“I’m grateful and lucky to be in shape now. I started in the 2017 Champions Trophy and that was really good for me. Now I’m really excited for the next edition too. I’ve spoken to the selectors, the head coach, and everyone wants me to play in the Champions Trophy,” he said.
The 59-year-old also highlighted the explosive batting skills of batsman and wicketkeeper Azam Khan, who is known for his ability to hit the ball out of the park from the first delivery.
“We all know what he’s capable of doing. He’s one of those rare players who, from the first ball, can get the ball off the ground. Having players like that in this format of the game is a real bonus. I’m sure he’ll be looking forward to have a really impactful season for us,” he said.
Finally, Moody expressed his excitement about signing Muhammad Amir, one of Pakistan’s leading fast bowlers, for the upcoming season.
“Amir is an excellent bowler. He was with us last year and we know what he is capable of. I have worked with Amir in other tournaments and he is a real asset. There is no doubt about his quality and class as a fast bowler. It is exciting to have him with us again,” he said.
It is pertinent to mention that the third edition of ILT20 begins today with Dubai Capitals taking on MI Emirates.
The first edition of the tournament was won by the Gulf Giants in 2022-23, and the second edition was won by MI Emirates in 2023-24.
