NEW DELHI: The third season of the International League T20 (ILT20) is set to commence on January 11, 2023, in Dubai. The tournament has gained a reputation for its competitiveness and serves as a platform for UAE players to develop their skills.
One of the standout players preparing for the new season is West Indies batter Nicholas Pooran, who led MI Emirates to the title in the previous edition.
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Pooran is determined to make an impact once again and is hopeful of retaining the title with his team.
“It’s nice to be back for the third season of the ILT20. We’re really looking forward to this season. We’re hoping to do our best again this year and try to retain the title, but there’s a lot of hard work ahead for me and the team to make that happen,” said Pooran.
“Each year, I feel the quality of the tournament keeps improving. The ILT20 is doing a better job every single year. I think competitiveness is important and it feels like international cricket with nine overseas players and two UAE guys,” he added.
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Pooran also recognized the ILT20’s crucial role in nurturing cricketing talent in the UAE, providing local players with the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business.
“It’s obviously challenging. Every year, every competition brings new challenges. Going into this season, preparation begins over the Christmas period. I’m working on getting my body back in shape, hitting a lot of balls, and getting my mind in the right place. When January comes, hopefully, I’ll have some luck on my side. You play each game on its merit—every game is a new opportunity, and it’s about doing what the team needs. So, let’s see how the new season goes,” Pooran opined.
Last season, Pooran was the second-highest run-scorer, amassing 354 runs at an impressive average of 50.57 and a strike rate of 170.
Another standout performer from MI Emirates was UAE’s Muhammad Waseem, who finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer in the tournament.
Pooran praised Waseem’s aggressive batting and consistency, saying, “There are a lot of talented players in the UAE. I’ve played with Waseem over the years, and he has been incredible right from when he got his chance. He seized that opportunity, and he’s been brilliant for us with MI in both seasons. He’s one of my favourites, for sure. I hope he continues to do great things for himself and his family.”
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As the new season approaches, Pooran is focused on preparing himself physically and mentally, working on his fitness and spending time in the nets.
“We have passionate fans, not just here but in India and across the world. Hopefully, we can keep putting smiles on their faces and bring more titles to them,” concluded the West Indies cricketer.
