Dubai (PNP)
Desert Vipers’ UAE wicketkeeper-batter Tanish Suri is aiming to push Pakistan’s Azam Khan for the gloves in season 3 of the ILT20.
Suri, one of two UAE players retained by the Vipers along with all-rounder Ali Naseer, made his Vipers debut last term when both Azam and Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Chandimal were unavailable because of international duty.
The 19-year-old acquitted himself well on either side of the stumps against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders before stepping back when the absent duo arrived.
And Suri told the Vipers Voices podcast that this season, with Azam back in the fold and Chandimal released, he wanted to push for further opportunities.
“If you see, we have only got two wicket keepers in the side this time,” he said.
“One is Azam Khan and the second one is me so I am just looking to improve my keeping skills, keep it simple and just wait for the chance.”
The Knight Riders won the match by six wickets, but it provided Suri with the opportunity to keep to high-quality performers including Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga, Sheldon Cottrell of the West Indies, Tymal Mills of England and Pakistan’s Mohammad Aamir.
“As a youngster it was very exciting for me that I was getting the opportunity to showcase my talent up there,” he said.
The Desert Vipers first match of the 2025 DP World ILT20 is on day two of the tournament, against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, starting at 2pm.
TANISH SURI AIMS FOR MORE OPPORTUNITIES in ILT20 