ILT20 ‘DEMYSTIFIES’ INTERNATIONAL SCENE FOR UAE PLAYERS, SAYS GULF GIANTS COACH FLOWER
▶ Former England chief speaks to Paul Radley of his hopes for Usman Khan and his affection for Aayan
Setting off from the dock beside the Palazzo Versace to take in Dubai’s skyline on a cruise of the Creek, it is easy to see why the life of a franchise cricketer holds such appeal.
To be an itinerant player on the international T20 circuit is to be part of the “good luck gang” - staying in the best hotels, visiting the best destinations, then being paid well to play in some short, often lowstakes matches.
The caravan has settled in Dubai now, for the DP World International League T20. The tournament pits a number of the world’s most recognisable players into competition with a select few UAE-based players, each of whom craves their own share of the limelight.
It is often said players learn at competitions like this just from rubbing shoulders with household names from abroad. But what, exactly, are they learning?
There are two places set aside for home-based players in each of the six ILT20 sides. According to Andy Flower, the Gulf Giants coach, competitions like this humanise the stars of the game for the aspiring players of the UAE.
“When they are mixing with these players, it is demystifying the whole international scene,” says the former England team director.
“One of the things that used to happen with more restricted levels of communication was some of the international players were deified. They were put on a pedestal, and they loved it, being unreachable.
“I remember when I was playing, deliberately thinking, ‘No, I can compete with these guys’.
“Once you feel that, there is a different level of self-confidence you can take into those competitions. These franchise tournaments demystify some of the international cricketers. You are in the dressing room with them, and see some of their foibles.
You see great players make mistakes on the field. That also builds confidence.”
The landscape is wholly different from what it was when Flower started out in the international game for Zimbabwe. But he says the basis of success is still all about self-belief.
Flower made 59 in his debut innings in Test cricket against an Indian attack including Kapil Dev, Javagal Srinath and Anil Kumble – a trio with nearly 1,300 Test wickets between them. It made him feel like he could make a go of it, too.
“I thought, ‘That wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be’. In my first one-day international I got a hundred [against Sri Lanka]. Those things build your confidence.”
The quartet of UAE players in the Giants squad – Usman Khan, Aayan Khan, Sanchit Sharma and Mohammed Zubair – have some fine players to look up to among their colleagues this month, according to Flower.
He says Chris Jordan and Carlos Brathwaite are brilliant role models. James Vince is a relaxed but very tactically astute captain, he says.
And of Chris Lynn, “in that typical rough Aussie way – if he puts his hand on Aayan’s shoulder and says, ‘You’ve got this’ – they will remember it for the rest of their lives.”
The players also benefit from having one of the most fertile minds in the sport as their head coach. One who already had his endorsement is Usman Khan.
The top-order batter has yet to qualify to play for the UAE, but is intent on doing so. He has become a Pakistan Super League star under Flower at Multan Sultans, and the coach swooped when he became available for ILT20 selection ahead of the new season.
“When we gave him a chance at Multan, it was a little bit of a gamble because, in nets, you might not see a top-class player in there,” Flower says of Usman. “He is a great game player and great competitor.”
On Flower’s watch, Usman struck the fastest ever PSL century last season. Then he immediately reasserted his intention to play for UAE, rather than try his luck with Pakistan.
“I really respect the guy,” Flower says. “I think he has made a brave decision by stepping away from Pakistan and going with the UAE. When he gets his chance, he is going to do really well for them.”
This season has also reunited Flower with Aayan. The left-arm spinner was a mainstay of the Giants side as they won the first ILT20 title last year, even though he was just 17. Flower says he has been impressed by the way he has established himself in the UAE team.
“Aayan Khan has definitely improved his game over the past year,” Flower says.
“I have been watching his scorecards when he has played for the UAE and he is always making good contributions with both bat and ball.
“I love his attitude. He has a smile on his face all the time. If he gets bashed for six, it doesn’t knock his confidence.”