news

Shaheen Afridi set to play for Desert Vipers in ILT20

The franchise made a significant reveal on the social media platform X, employing a clever combination of clues to tease their forthcoming acquisition

Shaheen Afridi set to play for Desert Vipers in ILT20 PHOTO: AFP

Shaheen Afridi, one of the world's leading fast bowlers, is set to play for the Desert Vipers in the upcoming second season of the International League T20 (ILT20).

The franchise made a significant reveal on the social media platform X, employing a clever combination of clues to tease their forthcoming acquisition.

 

The signs 🚦
The 🦅
The 🚙

All 𝚛̶𝚘̶𝚊̶𝚍̶𝚜̶ hints lead to your next Viper 😉#DesertVipers pic.twitter.com/TXCMShgiOP

— Desert Vipers (@TheDesertVipers) August 12, 2023

 

The shared post featured a picture laden with subtle hints that left little doubt in the minds of eager fans - Shaheen Shah Afridi is gearing up to don the Vipers' colors in the upcoming edition of ILT20. The hints ingeniously concealed in the image and accompanying text appeared as follows:

Eagle in Picture: Shaheen’s nickname.

Car Number: A clear nod to Shaheen's jersey number, indicating that he would be adopting the iconic No. 10.

Left Turn: Signifying the distinctive trait of being a left-arm fast bowler.

Car Speed: Mirroring Shaheen's remarkable bowling speed of 145 KPH, highlighting his exceptional pace.

Green Signal & Green Car: A direct reference to the Pakistani cricket team, known as the 'Men in Green'.

The ownership of Desert Vipers is held by the same group that owns Manchester United Football Club, The Glazers. In contrast to other teams participating in ILT20, Desert Vipers are not under the ownership of IPL teams.

During the inaugural season of ILT20, the playing field saw intense competition among teams such as Dubai Capitals, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, MI Emirates, Sharjah Warriors, Gulf Giants, and the Vipers. Ultimately, the Gulf Giants, led by Colin Munro, emerged victorious in a thrilling finale against the Vipers on February 12 earlier this year, clinching the championship.

As anticipation continues to mount, fans eagerly await the official confirmation of Shaheen Shah Afridi's arrival at Desert Vipers, a move that promises to inject newfound energy and dynamism into the franchise's campaign in ILT20.