The UAE quick who won the title
Tanveer is a right-arm fast bowler who bats right-handed, and his story is one of the best in UAE cricket. Born in Faisalabad, he moved to the UAE in 2023, broke through with the Vipers in the ILT20, and was granted UAE citizenship in April 2026 — making his international debut for his adopted country the same month.
His ILT20 record is outstanding: 24 wickets in 18 matches across two seasons with the Vipers, including 17 in the title-winning Season 4 campaign — the second-highest by a UAE player, and third overall. His breakthrough came in Season 3, when he took 4 for 22 against Sharjah Warriorz on debut and was named player of the match. He credits the ILT20 with preparing him for international cricket, saying the chance to learn from Sam Curran, Naseem Shah and Lockie Ferguson accelerated his development.
| Profile | Detail |
|---|---|
| Role | Bowler |
| Team | Desert Vipers |
| Batting | Right-handed bat |
| Bowling | Right-arm fast |
| Born | 20 December 1999, Faisalabad, Pakistan |
Career so far
Tanveer played club cricket in Pakistan before moving to the UAE in 2023, where he was spotted by the Vipers and signed for the ILT20. His debut in Season 3 — 4 for 22 against Sharjah Warriorz — announced him as a serious fast bowler, and he has not looked back since.
He made his UAE T20I debut in April 2026 against Nepal, and his ODI debut the same month, and he has since become a regular in the national side. His bowling action — a slingy, front-on delivery — has drawn comparisons with Pakistan great Waqar Younis, though Tanveer himself has played down the comparison. He has also played for Karachi Kings in the PSL and Dubai Capitals in the Global Super League. At 26, he is the future of UAE fast bowling — and the Vipers have kept him for the title defence.
The pace attack around him
The Vipers' pace attack is the strongest in the league. Naseem Shah is one of the fastest bowlers in the world, David Payne is a proven left-arm swing bowler, Saleem Safi is a 140kph Afghan quick, and Abdullah Ahmadzai is the youngster on the rise.
Tanveer's role is to be the UAE quick who holds the attack together: he can bowl in the powerplay, take wickets in the middle overs, and give the captain control at the death. His 17 wickets in Season 4 were the proof — and his UAE citizenship means he is now a local player, which matters with the league's UAE-player rules. If the Vipers defend their title, Tanveer will be at the centre of it.
What’s next
Tanveer's season starts with the title defence: the opener against MI Emirates on 21 November in Dubai, a repeat of the Season 4 final. The full list of every ILT20 fixture is on the ILT20 Schedule.
- Match 1 — MI Emirates: Saturday 21 November 2026, 6:30 PM GST, Dubai.
- Match 4 — Sharjah Warriorz: Monday 23 November 2026, evening session, Sharjah.
- Match 6 — Dubai Capitals: Wednesday 25 November 2026, evening session, Dubai.
- Match 9 — MI Emirates: Saturday 28 November 2026, afternoon session, Abu Dhabi.
- Match 12 — Gulf Giants: Sunday 29 November 2026, evening session, Dubai.
- Match 15 — Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Wednesday 2 December 2026, afternoon session, Abu Dhabi.
- Match 18 — Sharjah Warriorz: Friday 4 December 2026, evening session, Sharjah.
- Match 21 — Dubai Capitals: Sunday 6 December 2026, evening session, Dubai.
- Match 27 — Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Saturday 12 December 2026, evening session, Dubai.
- Match 29 — Gulf Giants: Sunday 13 December 2026, evening session, Dubai.
- Playoffs: Qualifier 1 on Tuesday 16 December, the Eliminator on Wednesday 17 December, Qualifier 2 on Friday 18 December, and the final on Sunday 20 December in Dubai.
Follow every ILT20 result as it happens on SialTV, with the points table updated after every match day.
Frequently asked questions
How many wickets did Khuzaima Tanveer take in ILT20 Season 4?
17 wickets — the second-most by a UAE player in the competition, and third overall. He has 24 wickets in 18 ILT20 matches in total.
When did Khuzaima Tanveer make his UAE debut?
In April 2026, against Nepal — T20I debut on 20 April and ODI debut on 25 April, after being granted UAE citizenship that month.
When do the Desert Vipers open ILT20 Season 5?
Tanveer's title defence starts with the opener: match 1 against MI Emirates on Saturday 21 November 2026, 6:30 PM GST, at Dubai International Stadium.