Andy Flower: ILT20 is ‘demystifying the whole international scene’ for UAE players

Setting off from the dock beside the Palazzo Versace to take in Dubai’s skyline via a cruise of the Creek, it is easy to see why the life of a franchise cricketer holds such appeal.

To be an itinerant player on the international T20 circuit is to be part of the "good luck gang". Staying in the best hotels. Visiting the best destinations. Then being paid well to play in some short, often low stakes matches.

The caravan has settled in Dubai now, for the DP World International League T20. The tournament pits a number of the world’s most recognisable players into competition with a select few UAE-based players, each of who is craving their own share of the limelight.

It is often said players learn at competitions like this just from rubbing shoulders with household names from abroad. But what, exactly, are they learning?

There are two places set aside for home-based players in each of the six ILT20 sides. According to Andy Flower, the Gulf Giants coach, competitions like this humanise the stars of the game for the aspiring players of the UAE.

“When they are mixing with these players, it is demystifying the whole international scene,” says the former England team director.

“One of the things that used to happen with more restricted levels of communication was some of the international players were deified. They were put on a pedestal, and they loved it, being unreachable.

“I remember when I was playing, deliberately thinking, ‘No, I can compete with these guys’. Once you feel that, there is a different level of self-confidence you can take into those competitions.

“These franchise tournaments demystify some of the international cricketers. You are in the dressing room with them, and see some of their foibles. You see great