England fast bowler Richard Gleeson will be spearheading Gulf Giants’ bowling attack in the inaugural edition of International League T20 (ILT20), which is scheduled to be played from January 13 to February 12 next year.

The 35-year-old has claimed 86 T20 wickets in 77 matches at an average of 24.27 and an economy of 8.19. He has one four-wicket haul and as many five-wicket haul in his T20 career so far.

Following a scintillating 2022 season for Lancashire in the domestic T20 Blast, Gleeson was called-up to England’s T20I side for their home series against India.

The right-arm fast bowler had a dream T20I debut as he bagged the wickets of India captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant to finish with figures of 4-1-15-3, which is the second-best for England on T20I debut.

Since then, Gleeson has played six T20Is for England, picking up nine wickets at an economy of 8.9.

Apart from representing England at the international level, Gleeson has played for  Rangpur Riders in the 2016 Bangladesh Premier League. The Blackpool-born cricketer has also featured for Team Abu Dhabi and Marathi Arabians in the Abu Dhabi T10 in 2018 and 2019. He has also donned the jersey of Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League (BBL) during the 2019-20 season.

Under the tutelage of head coach Andy Flower, the Adani Sportsline-owned Gulf Giants will bank on experienced Gleeson to win them matches in ILT20 2023.

As many as six teams including Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, Desert Vipers, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriors will participate in the first edition of ILT20. A total of 34 matches will be played at the world-class stadiums in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).