In the upcoming ILT20 2024 season, Desert Vipers, the runners-up from last year, have secured the signing of former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir, adding depth to their squad. Amir, at 31, will be joining fellow Pakistanis Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Azam Khan in the Vipers’ lineup.
Boasting a remarkable tally of 303 T20 wickets, Amir recently played in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with Jamaica Tallawahs, finishing as the third-highest wicket-taker. His most recent competitive series was in the Abu Dhabi T10, where he helped New York Strikers claim the title by taking five wickets with an economy rate of 7.85. In the previous PSL edition, Amir was the leading wicket-taker for Karachi Kings, alongside Imad Wasim.
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Desert Vipers’ director of cricket, Tom Moody, expressed enthusiasm about signing Amir, emphasizing his familiarity with both the T20 format and the conditions in the UAE. Moody highlighted Amir’s recent success in Abu Dhabi and his advantageous availability due to no longer playing for the Pakistani national team.
Amir, looking forward to the new season, expressed excitement about joining a team with talented and experienced players like Alex Hales, Colin Munro, and Sheldon Cottrell, along with his compatriots Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Azam Khan. He emphasized the strong support from cricket fans in the UAE and his familiarity with the local conditions, anticipating a successful campaign.
In a related development, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders also signed retired all-rounder Imad Wasim on January 11, as announced on social platforms.
The second season of ILT20 begins on January 19, and Desert Vipers’ first match is scheduled against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders on January 21 in Dubai.
