ILT20 2025-26: Noor Ahmad joins Desert Vipers to replace Wanindu Hasaranga

Noor Ahmad. (Source:X/Twitter)

Noor Ahmad has joined Desert Vipers for the 2025/26 instalment of the International League T20 (ILT20). Noor has previously appeared in the tournament during its inaugural season in 2022-23, playing for the Sharjah Warriorz. The left-arm spinner was signed as a replacement for Wanindu Hasaranga, as the leg-spinner will be unavailable due to national commitments for Sri Lanka.

Out of the 14 games in the format that Noor has played in the United Arab Emirates, 10 have been for Afghanistan. He has picked up 15 wickets in the country at an impressive economy rate and average of 6.84 and 23.73, respectively. He will join fellow compatriots Qais Ahmad and Faridoon Dawoodzai in the Vipers’ squad. He seemed confident of knowing the conditions well enough to shine in the competition.

“I played in the first season of the competition and so I know what to expect from conditions. With two other Afghanistan players in the squad there will be some familiar faces for me as soon as I walk through the door,” stated Noor, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

The Vipers have reached the finals of the ILT20 on two occasions before. They have done so in the previous edition and the first one in 2022-23. However, they ended up on the losing side on both occasions. They came second best to Gulf Giants in their first final. On the other hand, Dubai Capitals won the title in a thrilling final-over finish in the 2024-25 iteration. The fourth edition is set to commence on December 2 with a clash between Dubai Capitals and Desert Vipers.

Noor is expected to be available for the whole tournament. The 20-year-old wily spinner already has a wealth of experience in the franchise T20 circuit. He has played in the IPL, The Men’s Hundred, CPL, SA20, BBL and PSL. The left-arm orthodox spinner was recently a part of Afghanistan’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE.

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