Dubai, Jan 11 (IANS): A day before their opening match in the third season of the ILT20, Gulf Giants, one of the most successful teams in the league is quite bullish about their chances in the upcoming season.

The Gulf Giants will open their campaign against Sharjah Warriors in the third match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

The Adani Sportsline-owned franchise is gearing up for yet another exciting campaign. After clinching the title in the inaugural season and making it to the playoffs in the second, the foundations are in place for Gulf Giants to reclaim their crown this year.

The combination of Andy Flower as head coach and James Vince as captain will continue to be at the helm with a solid line-up of both domestic and international players, including new additions like Tim David, Tom Curran, and Tymal Mills.

The team also boasts local talents like Aayan Khan, and Zuhaib Zubair along with the new recruits Saghir Khan and Uzair Khan, who were part of the Gulf Giants side that won the ILT20 Development League in October last year.

Aayan Khan, who picked up six wickets at an economy of 6.83 last season, is an essential part of Gulf Giants’ bowling line-up. Another domestic young gun, Zubair is expected to shine after his impressive performances last season, proving to be a viable option with the ball.

Left-handed middle-order batter Saghir, who scored 193 runs in six matches at a staggering strike rate of 235 and Uzair Khan, a left-arm medium-pacer who took 15 wickets in six matches with an economy rate of 5.4 are also the domestic stars to watch out for in the Season 3.

Meanwhile, captain Vince, the league's top scorer with 795 runs in 23 matches, is a pivotal figure leading Gulf Giants’ batting order. He will be supported by a power-packed batting lineup that includes the likes of Ibrahim Zadran, Shimron Hetmyer, and Jordan Cox.

New signing Adam Lyth too brings a wealth of experience to the squad with 4771 runs in 206 T20 matches under his belt. Australian power-hitter Tim David adds a reliable option as a finisher with a strike rate of over 160 in T20s, while top-order batter Zadran from Afghanistan, provides a stable option to anchor the innings from the start.

With 31 wickets in 21 matches, the league’s top wicket-taker, Chris Jordan leads the bowing attack alongside fellow England international Tymal Mills, coming into the team having taken 286 wickets in 231 T20 matches.

All-rounders Tom Curran, Rehan Ahmed, and Dominic Drakes are expected to contribute in all departments and ensure plenty of batting depth in the lower order. Meanwhile, pacers Mark Adair and Blessing Muzarabani add more flexibility to the bowling unit.

Looking forward to the new season, head coach Andy Flower said, "We’re excited to get started with another campaign with this exceptionally talented side. We have managed to assemble a strong core to build our campaign with a blend of international and domestic players adding firepower and depth to our team. We have our plans in place and we will look to go step-by-step in the season to achieve our objectives. We are looking forward to another competitive season."

Pranav Adani, Managing Director - Agro, Oil & Gas, Adani Group, expressed his excitement for the upcoming season.

"As the Gulf Giants gear up for another thrilling season, we are proud of the team’s journey and the values it represents. Our commitment to nurturing talent and promoting excellence through Gulf Giants remains unwavering and that is reflected in the new signings we have made this season. With a bolstered squad, we believe in the potential of our players, both seasoned and emerging, to bring glory to the team and inspire our fans. We look forward to an engaging and successful campaign in ILT20 Season 3," he said.

Gulf Giants are expected to ride the momentum against Sharjah Warriorz in their campaign opener on Sunday. The inaugural season's champions have won both their matches against Sharjah Warriorz last season and will look to continue their dominance over their opponents as they look to begin their quest with a win.