Suri, Naseer eye Desert Vipers return after Development Tournament thriller

Dubai: The Desert Vipers launched their DP World ILT20 Development Tournament campaign in dramatic fashion, edging past Dubai Capitals by one wicket off the final ball at the ICC Academy on Sunday. For UAE youngsters Tanish Suri and Ali Naseer, the thrilling win was more than just a result — it was a vital step in their bid to reclaim places in the Vipers’ senior squad for Season 4, which begins on December 2.

The Capitals had set a formidable 210 for six, but the Vipers responded with grit and firepower. Taimoor Ali, coming in as impact player, turned the chase with a blistering unbeaten 59 off just 28 balls, peppered with six towering sixes. His late assault, backed by an ice-cool finish, sealed victory off the final delivery.

Equally significant were the contributions of home-grown players. Skipper and wicketkeeper-batter Tanish Suri provided the early momentum with a fluent 35 from 25 balls, while left-arm spinner Nilansh Keswani hammered 22 from nine deliveries in the closing stages. Earlier, all-rounder Ali Naseer’s tight spell of 4-0-28 had checked the Capitals’ scoring surge in a game otherwise dominated by batters.

For Suri and Naseer, the Development Tournament is more than a competition — it is a stage to prove themselves again. Both had been part of the Desert Vipers set-up in earlier seasons but failed to hold on to their places in the senior squad. Now, the tournament offers a chance to remind selectors of their value.

Suri, who featured in Seasons 2 and 3, admitted that missing out on retention for the upcoming season was a blow. “This tournament is very important for me to get back into the Vipers set-up and also push for the UAE side, where I have been out for a couple of series,” he said. “There is always pressure in sport, but for me it’s about keeping it simple and sticking to the basics.”

The wicketkeeper-batter knows the stakes are high but is confident that performances here can reignite his career. “The more you perform, the more you get recognised. That’s how every sport works,” he added.

Ali Naseer, meanwhile, has been part of the Vipers’ journey since the inaugural edition of the ILT20. While grateful for the support from the franchise, the 21-year-old all-rounder admits he underperformed last season and has been working hard to lift his game.

“I was hoping to contribute a lot more in Season 3, but sometimes that’s how sport goes,” he reflected. “The key is to trust the process, back your skills and play with confidence.”

Naseer’s immediate goal is to secure his place back in the senior Vipers squad, but he is also targeting a UAE return. “We have a few World Cricket League tours coming up. If I perform here and in camp matches, I know there’s a realistic chance of making it back into the national side,” he said.

Beyond personal ambitions, Naseer emphasised the collective strength of the Vipers’ Development team. “I think our squad is well balanced — strong top-order batters, plenty of fast bowlers, and five or six spinners. If we can gel as a unit and back each other, we can pull off more wins like this one.”

With the Development Tournament offering a clear pathway into the DP World ILT20, both Suri and Naseer understand that consistency over the coming week will be crucial. Their performances in the Vipers’ nail-biting opener suggest they are ready to seize that opportunity.