The Gulf Giants' bowling line-up for ILT20 Season 3 is packed with firepower, and we're excited about the strength it brings to our squad. Alongside our explosive batting line-up, we have a group of bowlers who can take wickets at crucial moments. With the likes of Chris Jordan, Daniel Worrall, Blessing Muzarabani, Tymal Mills, Zuhaib Zubair, Dominic Drakes, Jamie Overton, and Tom Curran, we have a bowling attack that can deliver on any pitch.
Chris Jordan is a key player for us, and he was one of the stars of our title-winning season in 2023. As the highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 20 wickets, Jordan has proved his worth as one of the best death bowlers in the T20 format. His ability to bowl under pressure and take wickets in the final overs is a huge advantage for us. In addition to his bowling skills, Chris is an excellent fielder, often taking breathtaking catches that can turn the game around. Over his career, he has taken 405 wickets in 384 T20 matches, making him one of the most experienced bowlers in the game.
Jamie Overton has also made a strong impact for us. In the previous season, he scored 108 runs in 10 matches and took 10 wickets. His all-round performance was crucial, and his ability to contribute with both bat and ball adds great balance to our team. Recently picked by Chennai in the Indian T20 League Auction, Jamie has taken 100 wickets in T20s, including a standout performance of 5 for 47. His experience in various T20 leagues around the world makes him a valuable asset to our bowling attack.
Zuhaib Zubair, an emerging star from the UAE, was our leading wicket-taker in season 2 with 11 wickets. Not only did he take wickets, but he was also very economical, keeping the pressure on the opposition. Zuhaib's standout performance came when he took 4 wickets for just 22 runs in a match. He has proven himself as a reliable bowler and will be a key part of our bowling unit this season.
Aayan Khan was also impressive in the previous season. He picked up 6 wickets at an excellent economy rate of 6.83, showing that he can keep things tight and take wickets at crucial times.
Rehan Ahmed, although missing season 2, remains an important player for us. In the first season of the ILT20, he took 8 wickets in 6 matches and helped us win the title. Rehan has been impressive in the T20 format, with 58 wickets in 63 games. His performances for England also show his potential, and we expect him to play a key role this season.
Tom Curran is another bowler who has been exceptional in T20 cricket. Known for his slower balls, Curran’s ability to take wickets in the middle overs is a big advantage. He has taken 228 wickets in 211 T20 matches, and in the ILT20, he has picked up 12 wickets while playing for the Desert Vipers. His experience and skills make him a crucial player in our bowling attack.
Daniel Worrall, a swing bowler, is back with us after impressing in season 2. In his two appearances last season, he took 3 wickets in a single match. Worrall’s ability to get the ball to move and create early breakthroughs is a huge plus for us. He will be important in the powerplay overs, where getting wickets early can put the opposition under pressure.
Tymal Mills, an experienced England fast bowler, brings a lot of skill and variety to our attack. Known for his clever use of slower balls, Mills has taken 286 wickets in 231 T20 matches. His ability to bowl at the death and take wickets under pressure makes him a key part of our squad.
Blessing Muzarabani, a tall bowler from Zimbabwe, adds another layer of strength to our bowling line-up. With 73 wickets in T20 internationals and 105 wickets in T20s overall, Muzarabani brings plenty of experience to our squad. His height and pace make him a difficult bowler to face, and he can be a match-winner on his day.
With this talented group of bowlers, we believe we have the firepower to take quick wickets and build pressure on the opposition. Our bowlers are capable of playing a key role in helping us win the title for the second time in a row. We are confident that our all-round strength in the bowling department will make us one of the most formidable teams in ILT20 Season 3.