DUBAI: The stage is set for the second edition of the star-studded DP World ILT20, with the opening match featuring Sharjah Warriors and defending champions Gulf Giants at the Sharjah Stadium on Friday.
With the T20 World Cup around the corner, this tournament will surely help players prepare for the big event to be held in June. Mumbai Emirates captain Nicholas Pooran echoed similar sentiments, stating, "Pitches in the UAE tend to get slower as the tournament progresses. Wickets in the Caribbean are the same. So yes, definitely it will help the players here who will be playing in the upcoming World Cup."
After a forgettable last season, where the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders finished at the bottom of the table, team skip per Sunil Narine hopes to have a better show this time around.
"We need to find the right combination and then execute our plans properly. We will look to make the home ground our fortress since we are playing a lot of games there.
"It's a new season and I am sure it will be better this time around," said Narine, whose team will be playing last year's runner-up Desert Vipers in their opening game on Sunday.
Apart from his heroics with the ball, Narine has played many memorable knocks with the bat as well. Asked whether he will be taking up the opener's role this time, the West Indian said, "Only time will tell. We need to make our plans and see whether that is working. If the team wants me to open I will definitely do so this time."
(The writer is in Dubai on invitation from ZEE Entertainment and DP World International League T20)
