Explore every episode of the podcast Vipers Voices
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khuzaima Bin Tanveer & CEO Phil Oliver look ahead to season four! | 19 Nov 2025 | 00:50:53 | |
With season four just two weeks away, we’ve got a bumper episode for you. We hear from Khuzaima bin Tanveer, the UAE fast bowler who made such a sensational start to life with the Vipers in the previous edition of the tournament. And we also catch up with Phil Oliver, the Desert Vipers CEO, who talks us through off-field preparations for the start of the action. Very few people outside of UAE cricketing circles had heard of Khuzaima prior to season three, but he showcased his ability very clearly with four for 22 on debut against the Sharjah Warriorz and was a fixture in the team after that performance.
Khuzaima talks us through his memories of that first performance as well as his impressions of his first season in a T20 franchise tournament and he tells us what he’s been up to since then, ahead of season four. Phil Oliver talks to us about new commercial partners, the return of several other partners from the previous editions of the tournament and also the outreach programmes the Vipers have been running to ensure the footprint of the franchise remains very much in place across the whole year rather than just during the DP World ILT20.
Phil speaks, too, about Tom Moody’s new role with Lucknow Super Giants and what that means for the Vipers, he addresses the balance between the team’s desire to promote sustainability while, at the same time, ensure the focus remains with on-field excellence and how the change of timing for this season’s tournament is impacting what goes on behind the scenes. Tickets are now on sale for all Vipers matches for the new season, starting with the opening match of the tournament, a repeat of February’s final, with the side facing the Dubai Capitals at the Dubai International Stadium on the 2nd of December.
You can buy them through the league’s official ticketing platform, Virgin Megastore by visiting www.tickets.ilt20.ae. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Max Holden - ready to go one better in season four! | 12 Nov 2025 | 00:26:06 | |
This time we speak with English batter Max Holden, one of the breakout stars of the DP World ILT20 in season three. Max had to be patient at the start of his first season with the Vipers and wasn’t initially able to break into the line-up in the first half of the last campaign.
But rather than sulk, he used his time to work on his game with batting coach Neil McKenzie and so when he did get his chance, he was ready to take it with both hands.
His outstanding batting at the backend of the tournament helped power the Vipers to the final and he was equally good in that match too, making an excellent half-century that so nearly contributed to a first title for the franchise.
Max tells us all about his first experience with the Vipers as he reflects on that near miss, and also speaks of his and the team’s hunger to go one better in season four.
He also talks with us about how the DP World ILT20 helped set him up for his best-ever season in English county cricket as he topped 1000 first-class runs for the first time – with form like that helping him break into the England Lions set-up for matches against India A.
Of course, Max’s success in season three means he’ll come into the new edition of the tournament as a player who’ll be very much more of a known quantity to opposition bowlers, and he explains to us how he’s dealing with that, as well as giving us an insight into his preparations for the new season.
Don't forget that tickets are now on sale for all Vipers matches in season four and you can purchase them through the league’s official ticketing platform, Virgin Megastore by visiting www.tickets.ilt20.ae. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| ILT20 Development Tournament wrap-up with Jack Luffman | 04 Sep 2025 | 00:14:31 | |
This time we wrap up the ILT20 Development Tournament in company with Head Coach Jack Luffman after the Desert Vipers Development Team fell to an agonising four-run loss in the final to the Sharjah Warriors at the ICC Academy on Wednesday evening, the 4th of September.
The Vipers team had fought its way to the final thanks to a superb come-from-behind five-run win against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders side the previous evening and looked on course to take the title when they bowled out Sharjah Warriorz for 134 and then reached 60 for one inside the seventh over in reply.
But a superb fightback by the Sharjah bowlers shut down the Vipers batters and in the end the side couldn’t get across the line.
That was the negative, but the positive was some outstanding performances across the tournament by Vipers players – and coming up Jack Luffman talks us through them and the benefits that have come to both the Vipers and UAE cricket as a result.
The Development Tournament featured sides from all six DP World ILT20 franchises and for all the players involved it was a chance to showcase their talent with a view to being picked up in the main tournament’s first-ever auction, which is set to take place in late September ahead of season four in December and January.
Taking part in the tournament was all part of the Desert Vipers’ progress towards that fourth season, which is set to get underway on December the 2nd with the Vipers playing the opening match against the reigning champions the Dubai Capitals, a repeat of last season’s thrilling final.
Remember the Vipers have reached the final twice in the three previous editions, also playing in the ultimate match of the first season, in 2023, as well as in February against the Capitals, and in season four the aim – of course – is to go one better this time and finally lift the silverware. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| James Foster | 18 Sep 2023 | 00:26:59 | |
This time we have an interview with Vipers Head Coach James Foster.
James is preparing to work with New Zealand at the Cricket World Cup in India in October and November but, ahead of that, he took the time to chat with us about his reflections on the first edition of the ILT20 when the Vipers finished as runners-up, as well as his work since then, the Vipers’ new signings for season two and plenty more besides. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Ali Naseer | 11 Sep 2023 | 00:31:54 | |
This time we speak with UAE all-rounder Ali Naseer who was one of the two local players retained by the Vipers from season one, alongside Rohan Mustafa.
Since the inaugural DP World ILT20 tournament it’s been a whirlwind year for Ali as he’s made his One-Day International and Twenty20 International debuts for the UAE as well as captaining his national side in an Asian Cricket Council tournament up against India and Pakistan’s A sides.
Ali walks us through all that’s happened to him during that time, as well as looking ahead to season two as the Vipers look to go one better than in February of this year when the team lost out in the final to the Gulf Giants. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Azhar Mahmood on the Vipers' Pakistan trio, Gus Atkinson and plenty more! | 04 Sep 2023 | 00:30:17 | |
In this episode we speak with Desert Vipers seam bowling coach Azhar Mahmood, the former Pakistan all-rounder. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Alex Hales - looking back on season one and forward to season two | 28 Aug 2023 | 00:12:27 | |
In this episode we have a chat with opening batter Alex Hales on all things Desert Vipers and he reflected on season one and looked ahead to season two. Alex looked back on his experiences during his time with the Vipers at the start of the year, and he also spoke about the new signings for season two – the Pakistan trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan and Azam Khan, plus Adam Hose from England, Scotland’s Michael Jones and Bas de Leede, the Dutch all-rounder. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Desert Vipers announce new overseas signings for season two! | 21 Aug 2023 | 00:25:28 | |
In this episode we reflect upon the news that the Vipers have announced six new signings for season two of the competition – the Pakistan trio of fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, leg-spinning all-rounder Shadab Khan and wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan, plus English batter Adam Hose and the Associate duo of batter Michael Jones of Scotland and the Netherlands’ all-rounder Bas de Leede.
Desert Vipers Director of Cricket Tom Moody talks us through the thinking behind signing each of the new faces and as he and the team start the countdown to the action getting underway in January 2024. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Vipers announce green initiative! | 24 Jul 2023 | 00:39:30 | |
It may be six months until the first ball of the second edition of the tournament is bowled but the Desert Vipers have not been idle, and the team’s management gathered at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London to announce a sustainability strategy.
The idea behind it was borne of the carbon footprint produced by the Desert Vipers in the 2023 ILT20 (roughly 570 tonnes of CO2 emissions), the need to reduce it and so play a part in reducing the effect of climate change.
Coming up we hear from a whole host of people, from Desert Vipers CEO Phil Oliver, Director of Cricket Tom Moody and Head Coach James Foster to Ian Curtis of the Environmental Change Institute of Oxford University, Sean Morris from 1.5 Degrees Sport and Gary Adlen of Carbon Happy World, all of them explaining what the Vipers’ initiative means. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Final match reaction v Gulf Giants - James Foster and Colin Munro | 12 Feb 2023 | 00:20:56 | |
In this last Vipers Voices of this first season of the DP World ILT20 we reflect on the final match of the tournament.
The Vipers ended up on the losing side against the Gulf Giants, going down by seven wickets in the penultimate over.
Disappointment then for the Vipers players, staff and supporters but plenty to be positive about too as this newly-created franchise has come so close to glory.
In this episode we’ll look back not only on the final but also on the tournament as a whole and to do that we’ll hear from head coach James Foster, and we’ll also drop in on the post-match media conference of captain Colin Munro.
https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Final preview with Tom Moody and Colin Munro | 11 Feb 2023 | 00:31:13 | |
In this episode of Vipers Voices we preview the final of the DP World ILT20, with the Desert Vipers all set to take on the Gulf Giants at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday the 12th of February.
As we look ahead to that clash between the sides that finished one and two in the group stage of the tournament, we speak with Vipers Director of Cricket Tom Moody and we also drop in on the pre-match media conference with the two captains, with Colin Munro and the Gulf Giants’ James Vince. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Tom Curran looks ahead to the final | 10 Feb 2023 | 00:18:22 | |
In this episode we start our build-up to the final of the DP World ILT20, with the Desert Vipers waiting to see who they’ll be playing at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday the 12th of February.
The Vipers have earned the chance to sit back and watch others battle it out for that second berth in the ultimate match after beating the Gulf Giants in the Qualifier on Wednesday.
And as the side starts its preparations for the match, we catch up with all-rounder Tom Curran, the player of the match in that Qualifier, as he gives us his thoughts – and very interesting ones they are too. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Match reaction v Gulf Giants - James Foster, Sherfane Rutherford and Colin Munro | 08 Feb 2023 | 00:23:29 | |
This episode of Vipers Voices reflects on the Desert Vipers booking a place in the final of the inaugural DP World ILT20 with a 19-run victory over the Gulf Giants in the Qualifier at the Dubai International Stadium.
The win, after two previous losses to the same opponents in the group stage of the tournament, means the Vipers go straight into the final on February the 12th while the Gulf Giants join MI Emirates and the Dubai Capitals in the battle for the second berth in the decider.
We have reaction from Head Coach James Foster, Captain Colin Munro and also one of the heroes of the match from a Vipers perspective, Sherfane Rutherford, who defied a hamstring injury that forced him to retire hurt by returning to the crease and blasting 37 from just 19 balls. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| ILT20 Development Tournament update with Tanish Suri and Khuzaima bin Tanveer | 01 Sep 2025 | 00:13:58 | |
With the ILT20 Development Tournament in full swing, we caught up with fast bowler Khuzaima bin Tanveer and wicketkeeper-batter Tanish Suri (pictured in the thumbnail for this episode), two players who are part of the Desert Vipers squad in that competition.
All six DP World ILT20 franchises have teams in the Development Tournament and with three wins in their five matches in the group stage, the Vipers team has given a very good account of itself.
As we recorded this podcast on Sunday night, the 31st of August, immediately after the Vipers’ final group match, a 22-run win against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, the side looked set to contest the semi-finals on Tuesday the 2nd of September with the final taking place the following evening – all matches in the tournament are taking place at the ICC Academy at Dubai Sports City.
The players across all six teams are playing for not only the chance of being part of the winning team but also to put themselves forward to be considered for the DP World ILT20 player auction that is scheduled to take place at the end of September – so there’s a lot at stake. Khuzaima reflects upon his time with the Vipers last season, his role for the Dubai Capitals in the Global T20 tournament in the Caribbean in mid-year and his ambitions for both the Vipers and the UAE - once he becomes available - and Tanish speaks about not only the Development Tournament, but also there help he's received from the Vipers coaching staff and his ambitions for the years to come. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Match preview with Colin Munro | 07 Feb 2023 | 00:11:48 | |
In this episode we preview the Qualifier match in the DP World ILT20, the match against the Gulf Giants in Dubai on Wednesday the 8th of February.
And who better to help us look ahead to that encounter than the Desert Vipers captain Colin Munro.
It really is a massive game because for the winner of that clash there’s direct access to the final on February the 12th but for the loser there’s a do-or-die match against the winner of the third versus fourth place play-off, on Friday February the 10th , for the second berth in that final. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Naman Ojha and Simon Helmot | 06 Feb 2023 | 00:28:41 | |
In this episode we speak to the new arrival in the Vipers squad, former India wicketkeeper-batter Naman Ojha, drafted in to replace Dinesh Chandimal after the Sri Lankan was called home ahead of the Test series in New Zealand.
And we also catch up with one of the coaching staff Simon Helmot, a man with vast experience around the world in franchise competitions, experience he can look to bring to bear as we enter the business end of the tournament.
For the winner of that clash there’s direct access to the final on February the 12th but for the loser there’s a do-or-die match against the winner of the third versus fourth place play-off, on Friday February the 10th , for the second berth in that final. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Match reaction v Gulf Giants - James Foster, Tom Curran and Tom Moody | 04 Feb 2023 | 00:17:14 | |
In this episode we reflect on a day when things never quite clicked for the Vipers as they ended the group stages of their campaign in the DP World ILT20 with a 25-run loss to the Gulf Giants at the Dubai International Stadium.
The result confirmed the Gulf Giants in the top two of the table alongside the Vipers and that means the two sides will mean again on Wednesday the 8th of February in the Qualifier, with the winner going straight through to the final while the loser will face the winner of the third versus fourth match-up for the second berth in that final.
We have reaction to the defeat, and the campaign as a whole thus far, from Head Coach James Foster, and we also hear from Tom Curran, who produced heroics with the bat but couldn’t quite get the side over the line.
We also hear from Director of Cricket Tom Moody, who explains a change in the Vipers squad as former India wicketkeeper-batsman Naman Ojha is coming in to replace Dinesh Chandimal, who has been called home by Sri Lanka Cricket ahead of a Test tour to New Zealand. Naman will arrive in time for that next match against the Gulf Giants. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Match reaction v Dubai Capitals - Colin Munro and Sherfane Rutherford | 02 Feb 2023 | 00:14:47 | |
In this episode we reflect on the Desert Vipers confirming their place in the top two of the DP World ILT20 with a 22-run victory over the Dubai Capitals at the Dubai International Stadium.
The win means that after the side’s final group match against the Gulf Giants on Saturday the 4th of February, the Vipers will line up four days later against the other side that finishes in the top two – either the Giants or MI Emirates – for a place in the final on February the 12th.
And even if they lose that match on February the 8th, finishing in the top two means a second bite at the cherry with a play-off against the winner of the third and fourth-placed teams for a berth in the final.
We hear from captain Colin Munro and also Sherfane Rutherford, who was player of the match against the Dubai Capitals as he scored 50 from only 23 balls, including five sixes in one over from Yusuf Pathan. As a match, it really did turn on that match-up. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Match reaction v Sharjah Warriors - Benny Howell, Sam Billings and James Foster | 31 Jan 2023 | 00:20:14 | |
Coming up we hear how the Desert Vipers got back on track in the DP World ILT20 with a 22-run victory over the Sharjah Warriors at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
It followed on from the 157-run loss to MI Emirates at the same venue only 48 hours earlier and the win, the side’s sixth in eight outings in the tournament, cements its position at the top of the points table.
We’ll hear from Benny Howell and Sam Billings, two of the heroes with the bat in a relatively low-scoring encounter, and we also drop in on the post-match media conference of Head Coach James Foster. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Match reaction v MI Emirates - Tom Moody | 29 Jan 2023 | 00:10:05 | |
In this episode we reflect upon the Desert Vipers suffering a setback in their pursuit of a place in the finals series of the DP World ILT20 thanks to a crushing 157-run loss to MI Emirates at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
We hear from Director of Cricket Tom Moody, who explains the reasons behind a comprehensive defeat and he also looks forward to the Vipers’ next match, at the same venue in two days’ time, against the Sharjah Warriors. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Match reaction v Dubai Capitals - James Foster and Rohan Mustafa | 28 Jan 2023 | 00:15:18 | |
In this episode we reflect upon the Desert Vipers moving back to the top of the table in the DP World ILT20, ahead of the Gulf Giants on net run-rate having played one match fewer, after a fifth win in six matches, following a 12-run success against the Dubai Capitals at the Dubai International Stadium.
We’ll hear from head coach James Foster who reflects on a really gutsy win, and also UAE off-spinner Rohan Mustafa, who picked up two wickets as part of the victory effort.
Tom and Matheesha conceded only 20 runs in those four overs and it meant the Vipers got across the line defending 149 for nine, something that looked unlikely when 58 runs came in the five overs between overs 12 and 16. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Match preview with Luke Wood | 27 Jan 2023 | 00:16:33 | |
In this episode we speak with new arrival Luke Wood.
The Lancashire left-arm fast bowler was fresh off the plane from Melbourne, Australia when we caught up with him, linking up with his new team-mates as a replacement for the injured Tymal Mills ahead of the Vipers’ next match in the DP World ILT20, the clash with the Dubai Capitals at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday the 28th of January.
Luke - who finished the Big Bash League as the leading wicket-taker for the Melbourne Stars - headed to training with his new team-mates at the ICC Academy at Dubai Sports City on Friday afternoon but the session the squad had was at the indoor nets, as was the case the previous day, because of persistent rain in the UAE. Thankfully the forecast for game-day on Saturday is for better weather. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Match reaction v MI Emirates - Colin Munro and Sherfane Rutherford | 24 Jan 2023 | 00:17:44 | |
In this episode we look back on a result that meant the Desert Vipers moved to the top of the table in the DP World ILT20, ahead of the Gulf Giants on net run-rate, after a fourth win in five matches.
This latest victory was ultimately a very convincing one, by seven wickets with 3.3 overs in hand over MI Emirates in Abu Dhabi, but the players still had to work hard for the two points.
Coming up we’ll hear from player of the match Sherfane Rutherford, whose classy unbeaten half-century steered the side home in company with Alex Hales, and also captain Colin Munro, who reflects on both this match and the first half of the Desert Vipers campaign in the group stage of the tournament. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Match preview with Rohan Mustafa | 23 Jan 2023 | 00:20:13 | |
In this episode we’re looking ahead to the Desert Vipers’ next match of the DP World ILT20, against MI Emirates in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday the 24th of January.
To do that we’re in the company of UAE all-rounder Rohan Mustafa who’s already made a real impact on this tournament with his buccaneering batting at the top of the order alongside Alex Hales.
Rohan will also be looking back at the side's first loss, against the Gulf Giants on Sunday, and reflecting on his time in the Vipers set-up, and it’s safe to say he’s enjoying every moment of it!
https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Previewing the Development Tournament and more with Ali Nasser, Tanish Suri and Nilansh Keswani | 25 Aug 2025 | 00:18:21 | |
Coming up we hear from wicketkeeper-batter Tanish Suri, all-rounder Ali Naseer and left-arm spinner Nilansh Keswani, with the trio set to feature for the Vipers’ Development team at the ICC Academy.
All six DP World ILT20 franchises have teams in the Development Tournament that is taking place in the last week of August and the first week of September and for all the players involved it’s a chance to showcase their talent with a view to being picked up in the main tournament’s first-ever auction, which is set to take place in late September ahead of season four in December and January.
We spoke with the trio at RAW Coffee in Al Quoz on the eve of the Development Tournament and for the three of them, the matches to come hold real significance.
For Nilansh, there’s the desire to be part of a tournament in which he featured for the Sharjah Warriorz in season two. For Ali, the aim is to once again be involved in a tournament he’s played in since the very first edition, while for Tanish, who was called up by the Vipers as cover late in season two before taking over behind the stumps at the start of season three, there’s the wish to show how much his game has developed since he was handed that chance in last term.
And for all three of them, this is a terrific platform to try and impress not only DP World ILT20 franchises but also the UAE selectors as, after the upcoming T20I tri-series against Pakistan and Afghanistan that serves a prelude to the Asia Cup, there’s qualifiers for next year’s ICC men’s T20 World Cup. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Match reaction v Gulf Giants - Tom Moody and James Foster | 22 Jan 2023 | 00:16:03 | |
In this episode we're reflecting on the Desert Vipers’ first loss of this DP World ILT20, a five-wicket reverse in a high-scoring match against the Gulf Giants at the Dubai International Stadium.
We’ve got reaction from Director of Cricket Tom Moody and also we hear from Head Coach James Foster.
https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Tom Moody on Luke Wood plus match preview with James Foster | 21 Jan 2023 | 00:18:23 | |
In this episode we’re looking ahead to the Desert Vipers’ next match of the DP World ILT20, against the Gulf Giants at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday 22nd of January, the Vipers' only day game in the tournament.
The meeting with the Gulf Giants involves two sides with perfect records thus far, so something has got to give.
We get an explanation on the squad change from Director of Cricket Tom Moody, while James Foster, the Head Coach, gives us a peek behind the curtain at preparations for Sunday afternoon’s game. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Match reaction v Abu Dhabi Knight Riders - Colin Munro, Alex Hales and Neil McKenzie | 20 Jan 2023 | 00:20:01 | |
In this episode we reflect upon a third victory in succession for the Desert Vipers in the DP World ILT20, maintaining their one hundred per cent record in the tournament.
This win, the second in a row against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, came at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi and was by the convincing margin of 111 runs.
Coming up we’ve got reaction from Alex Hales after he scored the first individual hundred of the tournament, plus we hear from captain Colin Munro, who weighed in with a fifty of his own, and batting coach Neil McKenzie.
https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Match preview with Tom Moody and Gus Atkinson | 19 Jan 2023 | 00:22:49 | |
In this episode we’re looking ahead to the Desert Vipers’ third match of the DP World ILT20, against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in Abu Dhabi on Friday 20 January, and also reflecting on game two, against the same opponents in Dubai.
To do that we’re joined by birthday boy Gus Atkinson, who picked up two wickets in an impressive display on Wednesday night, and Director of Cricket Tom Moody. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Match reaction v Abu Dhabi Knight Riders - Alex Hales and Carl Crowe | 18 Jan 2023 | 00:15:48 | |
In this episode we reflects on the Desert Vipers' second win in two matches in the DP World ILT20.
This victory, against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Dubai International Stadium, was by the same margin as the side’s earlier success against the Sharjah Warriors – a seven-wicket win, this time with 4.2 overs to spare.
There's reaction from Alex Hales after his second half-century in two matches and also Carl Crowe, the spin bowling coach, who – amongst other things – gives us his assessment of the contribution of the player of the match Wanindu Hasaranga. The Sri Lankan took 3-18 on his debut and his effort was crucial in swinging the match the way of the Desert Vipers. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Match preview with Tom Moody and Wanindu Hasaranga | 17 Jan 2023 | 00:15:14 | |
In this episode we preview the Vipers’ second match of the DP World ILT20, against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday the 18th of January.
We catch up with Director of Cricket Tom Moody who looks back on game one, the seven-wicket win against the Sharjah Warriors, and ahead to game two, and we also hear from the side’s new arrival, Sri Lankan leg-spinning all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Match reaction v Sharjah Warriors - Sam Billings and Neil McKenzie | 15 Jan 2023 | 00:18:55 | |
This episode has reaction to the Desert Vipers' first match of the DP World ILT20, a seven-wicket win against the Sharjah Warriors at the Dubai International Stadium. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Opening match preview with Colin Munro, Tom Moody and Dhruv Parashar | 14 Jan 2023 | 00:16:24 | |
This episode is the last one before the Desert Vipers' opening match of the DP World ILT20, against the Sharjah Warriors at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday the 15th of January and we look ahead to that encounter by speaking with captain Colin Munro to get the inside track on preparations.
On top of that we hear from Director of Cricket Tom Moody and young off-spinning all-rounder Dhruv Parashar after the UAE Under-19 player was called up to the squad as a replacement for Ronak Panoly. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Warm-up game versus the Gulf Giants - Sheldon Cottrell and James Foster | 12 Jan 2023 | 00:11:30 | |
In this episode we reflect on the Desert Vipers one and only warm-up match, against the Gulf Giants at the ICC Academy in Dubai. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| James Foster | 12 Jan 2023 | 00:17:10 | |
In this episode we speak with Head Coach James Foster as the distance to the side’s first match of the tournament can be measured in hours rather than days or weeks.
Quite a bit has changed since we last spoke to James on the podcast, with new additions to the Vipers squad, and he gives us the lowdown on how that squad is shaping up ahead of its opening match of the DP World ILT20 against the Sharjah Warriors at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday January the 15th.
https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Jack Luffman on the Vipers at the ILT20 Development Tournament | 22 Aug 2025 | 00:24:25 | |
As the summer heat starts to fade in the UAE, it’s time to focus on on-field action again and specifically the ILT20 Development Tournament.
It’s a tournament for UAE players to put themselves in the shop window for the DP World ILT20’s first-ever auction, which is scheduled to take place in late September, and so there is a lot riding on events at the ICC Academy during the last week of August and the first week of September.
To talk to us about the Vipers’ squad for the Development Tournament is Jack Luffman, the Vipers’ Development Lead and someone who will also work as coach to the side during the upcoming action. We spoke with Jack the morning after the Development Tournament draft, which took place on the evening of Monday the 18th of August at the Dubai International Stadium.
Representatives of the six franchises were in attendance to select their players for the Development Tournament, and coming up Jack gives us an insight into the players he’s helped select for the Vipers squad.
He talks to us about some of the familiar names in the line-up, including pace bowler Khuzaima bin Tanveer, who went from the 2024 Development Tournament to becoming a break-out star of last year’s ILT20, and also some names who might not be well-known at this stage but who hope to become more so, with this tournament being the start of that journey for them.
Khuzaima has already been retained by the Vipers for season four, but that still leaves three spots for UAE players up for grabs in the auction and so there is plenty of incentive for impressing during the upcoming action.
Jack explains how Director of Cricket Tom Moody, Head Coach James Foster and Vipers CEO Phil Oliver will stay across the details during the Development Tournament and also what he expects from the 18-match event that will culminate with a final on Wednesday the 3rd of September.
It’s a fascinating insight into what goes on behind the scenes to put together a key building block of the Vipers’ strategy for season four of the DP World ILT20.
https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Jersey unveiling with Colin Munro, Tymal Mills, Ali Naseer, Phil Oliver and Apoorva Srivastva | 09 Jan 2023 | 00:25:12 | |
This special bonus episode of Vipers Voices takes place on the day of the unveiling of the jersey the Desert Vipers will be playing in during the first edition of the DP World ILT20.
It features interviews with newly arrived captain Colin Munro, England fast bowler Tymal Mills, fast bowling coach Azhar Mahmood, Desert Vipers CEO Phil Oliver and Apoorva Srivastva from Rasasi Perfumes, the Dubai-based company who are the team’s Principal Sponsors.
The jersey launch is the latest step on the road to the side’s first match of the tournament, against the Sharjah Warriors at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday the 15th of January. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Tom Curran | 09 Jan 2023 | 00:25:52 | |
In this episode we continue our build-up to the Desert Vipers' opening match against the Sharjah Warriors on 15 January by chatting with England all-rounder Tom Curran, the first player arrival into the UAE from among the squad. Tom comes into this tournament completely recharged after time away from the game following his county side Surrey’s victory in the County Championship in the summer of 2022 and he tells us his planning for the tournament always factored in his early arrival into Dubai ahead of the action getting underway. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Ali Naseer | 05 Jan 2023 | 00:24:54 | |
In this episode we focus on one of the side’s UAE players – all-rounder Ali Naseer.
We hear from Ali himself and we also hear from his long-time coach, former Pakistan all-rounder Mudassar Nazar, who’s now the Head of the UAE National Academy Programme and someone who was head coach of the UAE Under-19 side that Ali played in at last year’s ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean.
Ali tells us all about his background in the game and what he hopes to achieve in the ILT20 and beyond, and Mudassar explains what we can expect to see from a player who turns 19 a month after the tournament concludes.
By the end of this episode you’ll have a fascinating insight into Ali, someone who has the potential to do something very special in the first edition of the DP World ILT20. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Adam Lyth, Phil Oliver and Sean Morris | 02 Jan 2023 | 00:37:12 | |
It's a New Year and so we're a step closer to the Desert Vipers' first match of the DPWorld ILT20, and in this episode we hear from opening batter Adam Lyth. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Mark Watt and Carl Crowe - the spin episode | 29 Dec 2022 | 00:33:09 | |
This is an episode with a difference as Desert Vipers spin-bowling coach Carl Crowe and left-arm spinner Mark Watt discuss all aspects of the slow bowler's art in the T20 format, with the ILT20 at the forefront of both their minds. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Benny Howell | 26 Dec 2022 | 00:17:17 | |
In this episode we chat with all-rounder Benny Howell who, thanks to his abilities as a middle-order finisher with the ability to find and clear the boundary and his subtle variations as a medium-pacer, has become a sought-after player in short form cricket around the world. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Rasasi Perfumes announced as Principal Sponsor plus Jake Lintott, Dinesh Chandimal & Gus Atkinson interviews | 22 Dec 2022 | 00:35:36 | |
In this episode we announce details of the Desert Vipers' agreement with Rasasi Perfumes to become the franchise's Principal Sponsor. Rasasi was founded in Dubai in 1979 and now has 165 outlets across the region as well as exporting to more than 60 countries. It's an iconic UAE brand and the perfect fit for the Desert Vipers as a UAE side playing in a UAE tournament. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Dinesh Chandimal, Jake Lintott and Gus Atkinson | 20 Dec 2022 | 00:18:56 | |
This special bonus episode of Vipers Voices is all about three new signings for the Desert Vipers - former Sri Lanka captain and utility batsman Dinesh Chandimal, fast bowling all-rounder Gus Atkinson and left-arm wrist spinner Jake Lintott. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Ronak Panoly | 19 Dec 2022 | 00:18:28 | |
In this episode we learn about one of the Desert Vipers' UAE contingent, batting all-rounder Ronak Panoly. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Colin Munro - how he prepares, how he plays, how he thinks - & much, more more | 15 Dec 2022 | 00:18:43 | |
In this episode of Vipers Voices we take a deep-dive into the mind of captain Colin Munro. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Tom Moody - the march to season four begins! | 07 Jul 2025 | 00:33:16 | |
We’re back ahead of season four, which gets underway on December the 2nd 2025, an earlier start than the three previous editions, which all took place in January and February.
And in this episode that marks the start of the build-up to the new season, we speak with Vipers Director of Cricket Tom Moody, a regular on the podcast.
Tom spoke after confirmation that the Vipers have retained seven players from the season three squad as the core to do battle for season four.
Those seven are captain Lockie Ferguson, vice-captain Sam Curran, who was player of the tournament in 2025, Max Holden and Khuzaima bin Tanveer, two break-out stars of the latest edition, Wanindu Hasaranga – who has been a Desert Viper since day one, Dan Lawrence and David Payne.
Additionally, the franchise has signed USA wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous, a player who previously played against the Vipers in season two, for the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, when he blitzed the bowling to provide an indicator of what he can do.
We talked with Tom about all these players and also some of the players who didn’t make the cut, but that wasn’t all.
We also discussed whether or not the Vipers will again mine a seam of Pakistan players for this edition, the likelihood of an auction and the selection process for UAE players, what the league’s new tie-up with Kuwait cricket means, what the change in timing for the tournament mean and plenty more.
It’s an engaging conversation with Tom, well worth your while, as ever. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Colin Munro is named as Desert Vipers captain | 11 Dec 2022 | 00:22:15 | |
This episode is all about the new Desert Vipers captain Colin Munro. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| UAE player announcement featuring Rohan Mustafa | 09 Dec 2022 | 00:14:16 | |
In this special bonus episode of the Vipers Voices podcast, we reflect upon the announcement of the Desert Vipers' four UAE players for the tournament - Rohan Mustafa, Ronak Panoly, Sheraz Ahmad and Ali Naseer. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Tom Moody, Matheesha Pathirana, Sheldon Cottrell and Sherfane Rutherford | 08 Dec 2022 | 00:48:01 | |
In this episode we get an appraisal from Director of Cricket Tom Moody of the Desert Vipers' latest recruit, Sri Lanka fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana, before we hear from the player himself and his ambitions for the tournament. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||