The DP World International League T20 is set to get off to a flying start on Friday, with the Dubai Capitals taking on the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Dubai International Stadium.
Following a glitzy opening ceremony at the 'Ring of Fire,' the teams will battle it out.
Before they faced off on the field, a representative from each of the franchises gathered for a press conference at the Dubai International Stadium on the eve of the month-long competition to share their thoughts on the start of the exciting T20 league.
Sunil Narine, captain of the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, stated that he wants his team to enjoy the ride in the DP World ILT20. "Anything you do in cricket is difficult. We must adapt while also enjoying what we are doing. I hope everyone has a good time and does their best."
Narine, who has travelled with his family, believes that the UAE is an excellent place to play cricket. "Having family here is great because we can do some sightseeing instead of just relaxing in the room during our downtime. There is plenty to do in Dubai and Abu Dhabi."
Meanwhile, Desert Vipers captain Colin Munro is confident that his team will sting his opponents hard. He revealed that he has such a strong team that he has a glut of good players in the squad. "We must consider the composition of our team. The most difficult task for us will be to find a way to fit all of the good players into the eleven. I just want all of the boys to have a good time in the UAE and enjoy their cricket."
Rovman Powell, skipper of the Dubai Capitals, wants everyone to use the opportunity to improve, especially the UAE players. "This is a start of something special. Not from a personal standpoint but from the team and franchise standpoint. This is a good chance for the UAE players to showcase their talent. The DP World ILT20 is a good launching pad for them and hopefully, they'll utilise this opportunity."
The Gulf Giants' skipper, James Vince, has high hopes for his team's chances but acknowledges that all other teams are strong as well. "We can't wait for the tournament to begin. Every team has good talent, and I'm excited to see how they play against each other. Most of my players travel from tournament to tournament and have a plan for the next few days. It is critical that they perform well in their roles."
Dwyane Bravo, the senior most player who represented MI Emirates in the press conference said that the event will be very competitive. "This is a short tournament, but it's going to be a competitive one." Bravo also revealed that it would be a learning experience for youngsters. "It's important for me to pass on whatever knowledge that I have about the game to my teammates and also develop the next generation of cricketers."
Meanwhile, Moeen Ali, skipper of the Sharjah Warriors, like brave warriors, emphatically said, "We'll look to play some good cricket and we are here to win. We want to do well particularly in Sharjah since it's our home ground. We'll look to enjoy the cricket and also be competitive at the same time."