Mumbai Emirates captain Nicholas Pooran said the International T20 League (ILT20) offers valuable experience in preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024. Nicholas Pooran emphasized the similarity between the UAE pitches and the Caribbean islands.
The upcoming second edition of ILT20 will begin with a match between defending champions Gulf Giants and Sharjah Warriors on January 19. The tournament will be held in three prestigious venues: Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
The lands in the Caribbean are the same – Nicholas Pooran
Nicholas Pooran emphasized that the ILT20 experience will benefit players preparing for the upcoming World Cup. He noted the similarity between the UAE and Caribbean courses, highlighting its tendency to decrease as the tournament progresses.
“Courses in the UAE tend to get slower as the tournament progresses. The terrain in the Caribbean is the same. So yes, it will definitely help the players here who will play in the next World Cup,” said Pooran.
The upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 is scheduled to be held in the United States of America (USA) and the West Indies. The 20 participating teams are grouped into four sets of five each. The two best teams in each group will advance to the Super 8 round.
West Indies missed the 2023 ODI World Cup and failed to advance to the Super 12 in the 2022 T20 World Cup. They achieved qualification for the upcoming T20 World Cup as co-hosts. The team won the tournament twice in the 2012 and 2016 seasons.
We need to find the right combination – Sunil Narine
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders captain Sunil Narine expressed his unwavering determination to perform better in the upcoming season. Narine emphasized the importance of finding the right team mix and executing strategic plans effectively.
“We need to find the right combination and then execute our plans correctly. We will try to make home our strength, since we will play many games there. It’s a new season and I’m sure this time it will be better,” Narine said.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders finished at the bottom of the table in the inaugural edition. The Knight Riders only managed one victory in 10 matches and one match ended without a result. They will begin their second season against the runners-up Desert Vipers.
Need to formulate our plans and evaluate their effectiveness – Sunil Narine
When asked about the prospect of taking on the opener’s role next season, the West Indian expressed that it would depend on the team’s needs, emphasizing the importance of formulating effective plans and adapting as necessary.
“Only time will tell. We need to formulate our plans and evaluate their effectiveness. If the team demands me to open, I will certainly do so this time,” said Sunil Narine.
Also Read: ILT20 2024: MI Emirates removes Kieron Pollard from captaincy; Nicholas Pooran named new captain