Former UAE cricket captain CP Rizwan is set to embark on a new chapter of his career after being named the assistant batting coach for the Gulf Giants ahead of the upcoming ILT20 season. Having previously captained the UAE during the 2022 T20 World Cup, Rizwan is eager to transition his extensive international playing experience into a coaching role. He will be working closely with head coach Simon Helmot and batting coach Michael Klinger to prepare the squad for the tournament, which kicks off on November 21.

For the Kerala-born cricketer, this appointment holds significant emotional weight, as he was a key member of the Gulf Giants squad that claimed the league's inaugural title in 2023. Expressing his gratitude toward the team ownership, Rizwan noted that his deep familiarity with the franchise—both as a player and as a leader of their development squad—makes this transition particularly meaningful. Head coach Simon Helmot echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that Rizwan’s intimate knowledge of the local cricketing landscape and his proven track record will be a tremendous asset to the team as they look to reclaim the title against a star-studded lineup of international competitors.