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Biggest season of Abu Dhabi T10 kicks off in style

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With the latest edition of Abu Dhabi T10 set to begin from November 21, 2024, the representatives from all ten participating teams gathered at Zayed Cricket Stadium on Wednesday to address the media in the pre-tournament press conference. The leaders shed light on the plans for the season and explained how the addition of two teams will elevate the level of competition and add more thrill to the tournament. The 2024 Abu DhabI T10 will be the biggest season in history with 10 participating teams.

Mohammad Nabi, skipper of newly-formed Ajman Bolts, said, “It feels great to be a part of the league which is a champion in introducing and popularising the T10 cricket across the globe. Though it’s our debut season, we are pretty confident and are training well to make the season memorable for the team.”

UP Nawabs’ skipper Rahmanullah Gurbaz, echoed similar statements and said, “The team is in good shape. It’s the team’s first season and we are thrilled to make it an exciting and successful journey. The Nawabs are here to stay.”

The season 7 champions New York Strikers will also be beginning their title defence journey on November 22 against Morrisville Samp Army. Vice-captain Mohammad Amir addressed the media and said, “We had a pretty successful campaign last year and will attempt to replicate it this season as well and win our second consecutive title. All players are pumped up to be back in action on the field and have a great two weeks of cricket.”

Rohan Mustafa also expressed his delight in joining Samp Army as the skipper this year and shared his vision for the season. “It feels great to be a part of this wonderful team and tournament. The goal is clear- to lead the team to the championship title. However, at the same time, it is important to ensure that the players enjoy the process and the sport and give our viewers performances worth enjoying.”

Team Abu Dhabi, which is also going to mark the beginning of the season with their clash against Ajman Bolts, will also be looking forward to winning their debut title this year. The new captain Phil Salt confirmed the team’s agenda and how well-prepared they are for the new challenge.

“The aim, obviously, will be to lift the trophy on December 2. It’s my first season with the team in the role of skipper and I will try to lead the team in the best way possible, which yields us positive results. All players are bonding well and also giving their all in the training sessions, reflecting the commitment towards our collective goal and the enthusiasm to make it happen.”

Two-time Abu Dhabi T10 Champions, Deccan Gladiators and Northern Warriors are also pumped up to create history by lifting the third title and becoming the most successful team in the history of the league.

Gladiators’ star David Wiese gave a brief insight into the team’s agenda for this season. “We are one of the most successful teams in the league and wish to become the squad with the greatest number of titles by winning the trophy this year. We fell short slightly last year but this season, the aim will be to not let history repeat and emerge successful in the title quest.”

Warriors have a similar goal and the opening batter Colin Munro is aligned to make it successful. “Although we have two titles to our name, it’s been quite some time since we lifted our last trophy. This season, we are aiming to change this and add a third trophy to our cabinet, becoming the most successful team in the league. All players are quite zealous to kick off the action and we are looking forward to adding yet another exciting chapter to our book.”

Bangla Tigers, Chennai Braves and Delhi Bulls are all aiming to lift their debut cup, especially after the leadership of the three teams has now been given in the hands of new skippers.

Shakib Al Hasan, skipper of Bangla Tigers, stated, “It feels great to be back with the team and experience the exhilarating atmosphere of this tournament. All players are aligned with the team’s objective and game plan and cannot wait to step out on the field and show their exemplary skills.”

Thisara Perera, who took over the Chennai Braves’ captaincy this year, is also quite determined to make the season memorable. “The franchise joined the league in 2021 and is yet to open its title account. That’s the goal for every player who is a part of our squad. Players are doing well in the practice sessions and with the help of our excellent coaching staff, we should be able to finally mark a victory this season.”

James Vince will be a part of Delhi Bulls this year. “The adrenaline has started to kick in as we are just a day away from the beginning of this season. But the team is well-prepared and trained and is quite excited to begin the campaign, which we hope ends up with the trophy in our hands.”

The eighth season of Abu Dhabi T10 will commence on November 21 with the debut match between Team Abu Dhabi and Ajman Bolts. Being played in a round-robbin format, the playoffs will begin on December 1 with the Qualifier and two Eliminator games happening on the same day. The tournament will conclude with the final on December 2.

The Abu Dhabi T10 will be broadcasted in India, in English, Hindi and other regional languages by Star Sports while FANCODE will stream the games on OTT in the country. Styx Sports will be broadcasting the tournament in Nepal, T Sports in Bangladesh and Sky Sports NZ in New Zealand respectively. Afghanistan and Sri Lanka audiences can watch the games on RTA Sports and C.Live, and Supreme TV respectively.

Sky Sports has also acquired the broadcasting rights of Abu Dhabi T10 in the UK & Ireland while Willow TV can be used to watch the league by people in the US & Canada. Broadcast of matches in the Caribbean will be done by Sports Max while Super Sports has gained the rights for Sub-Saharan African fans. In MENA, Cricbuzz 1 & 2 and Abu Dhabi Sports will be the primary broadcasting channels for the league.

As a trainee reporter and creative lead, I focus on curating engaging content and managing the social media presence for the company. I aim to connect audiences with relevant, impactful news through multiple digital platforms.

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Muhammad Waseem to captain UAE in Sharjah T20I Tri-Series 2025

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UAE opener Muhammad Waseem has been named captain of the national men’s cricket team for the Inverex Solar Energy presents Bank Alfalah T20I Tri-Series 2025, set to take place at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium from August 29 to September 7.

The tri-series will feature UAE, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, serving as a crucial warm-up ahead of the ACC Asia Cup 2025, which begins in the UAE on September 9.

The UAE will open their campaign against Pakistan on Saturday, August 30, at 7pm.

UAE Squad

  • Muhammad Waseem (captain)
  • Alishan Sharafu
  • Aryansh Sharma (wicketkeeper)
  • Asif Khan
  • Dhruv Parashar
  • Ethan D’ Souza
  • Haider Ali
  • Harshit Kaushik
  • Junaid Siddique
  • Muhammad Farooq
  • Muhammad Jawadullah
  • Muhammad Zohaib
  • Rahul Chopra (wicketkeeper)
  • Rohid Khan
  • Saghir Khan

Support Staff: Amjad Ezzi (team manager), Lalchand Rajput (head coach), Azharuddin Qureshi (strength and conditioning coach), Manipreet Sidhu (video analyst), Manish Pradeshi (physiotherapist).

Tournament Schedule – Sharjah Cricket Stadium

  • Friday, 29 Aug – Afghanistan vs Pakistan – 7:00pm
  • Saturday, 30 Aug – UAE vs Pakistan – 7:00pm
  • Monday, 1 Sept – Afghanistan vs UAE – 7:00pm
  • Tuesday, 2 Sept – Afghanistan vs Pakistan – 7:00pm
  • Thursday, 4 Sept – Pakistan vs UAE – 7:00pm
  • Friday, 5 Sept – Afghanistan vs UAE – 7:00pm
  • Sunday, 7 Sept – Final – 7:00pm

The series is expected to draw strong crowds, with Sharjah once again hosting top-flight international cricket under lights.

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Taimoor Ali’s last-ball heroics seal Desert Vipers’ thrilling win over Dubai Capitals in ILT20 Development Tournament

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The Desert Vipers opened their DP World ILT20 Development Tournament campaign stunningly, pulling off a nail-biting one-wicket victory against the Dubai Capitals at the ICC Academy. The contest went right down to the last ball, with impact player Taimoor Ali holding his nerve to deliver a dramatic finish.

Dubai Capitals post 210/6

Batting first, the Capitals piled on a challenging 210 for six, setting up what looked like a match-winning total. But the Vipers’ bowlers struck at crucial stages, with UAE all-rounder Ali Naseer starring with the ball. He claimed 4 for 28 in four overs, applying the brakes to the scoring in the middle overs.

Vipers’ chase led by Suri, Keswani and Ali

In reply, Vipers captain and wicketkeeper-batter Tanish Suri gave his side a solid start, compiling a fluent 35 off 25 balls. The chase stayed alive thanks to a quick cameo from Nilansh Keswani, who smashed 22 off just nine deliveries, including two huge sixes.

But the decisive moment came with the arrival of Taimoor Ali as an impact player. Walking in with the game in the balance, Ali unleashed a stunning counterattack, blasting an unbeaten 59 off 28 balls, featuring two fours and six sixes. His clean hitting turned the tide, as the Vipers steadily closed in on the target.

Final-ball drama

The game came down to the wire, with the Vipers needing runs off the final delivery. Ali, calm under pressure, finished the job to secure victory by just one wicket, sparking wild celebrations in the Vipers’ dugout.

What’s next

The ILT20 Development Tournament runs until 3 September, with the final also set to be staged at the ICC Academy. Beyond the immediate silverware, the tournament serves as a crucial platform for UAE talent, giving players the chance to break into DP World ILT20 franchises, the UAE national team, and other global T20 leagues.

The Desert Vipers will be buoyed by their thrilling opening win, while the Dubai Capitals will be left ruing missed chances in a game that went down as one of the most exciting finishes of the competition so far.

Match Scorecard

Dubai Capitals – 210/6 (20 overs)

  • Other contributions: The Team posted a strong total with partnerships across the order
  • Best bowler (Vipers): Ali Naseer – 4/28 (4 overs)

Desert Vipers – 211/9 (20 overs)

  • Taimoor Ali – 59 (28 balls, 2 fours, 6 sixes)*
  • Tanish Suri – 35 (25 balls)
  • Nilansh Keswani – 22 (9 balls, 2 sixes)
  • Won by 1 wicket (off the final ball)

Result: Desert Vipers won by 1 wicket

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Adani Sportsline’s Gulf Giants unveil power-packed coaching staff ahead of UAE ILT20 Season 4 Auction

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With the highly anticipated fourth season of the DP World International League T20 (ILT20) approaching, Adani Sportsline-owned Gulf Giants have unveiled a star-studded coaching team ahead of the league’s first-ever auction. The revamped setup signals the franchise’s renewed push for silverware.

Jonathan Trott to lead as Head Coach

Former England batting star Jonathan Trott has been appointed Head Coach, bringing with him a reputation as one of England’s most technically accomplished cricketers and an impressive coaching track record.

Since transitioning from international cricket, Trott has guided Afghanistan to a historic ICC T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final and an inspired run at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. As a player, he scored 3,835 runs in 52 Tests and 2,819 runs in 68 ODIs at an average of 51, with four centuries and 22 fifties.

“The Gulf Giants have quickly become one of the ILT20’s most successful teams. My goal is to empower players to excel and shape a championship-winning squad through the first-ever ILT20 Auction,” Trott said.

Shane Bond joins as Bowling Coach

Joining Trott is New Zealand’s pace legend Shane Bond, who takes charge as Bowling Coach. A veteran of 120 internationals with 259 wickets, Bond has carved out a successful decade-long coaching career, working with the New Zealand national side and several global T20 franchises, including the IPL and UAE ILT20.

“The team’s ambition is clear. I’m excited to sharpen our bowling attack and make a decisive impact this season,” Bond said.

Specialist coaches to complete the lineup

The Giants have also secured some of the finest specialist coaches:

  • Andrew Puttick (Batting Coach) – South African batting stalwart with nearly 17,000 first-class runs, and prior coaching stints with Afghanistan, South Africa and Pakistan.
  • Jamie Troughton (Fielding Coach) – Former England international, bringing expertise in raising standards in the field.
  • Nick Lee (Strength & Conditioning Coach) – A seasoned fitness professional with experience at Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, returning to reunite with Trott.

Building on success stories

The Gulf Giants’ refreshed coaching team reflects Adani Sportsline’s focus on nurturing talent and creating a growth-driven environment. The franchise has already produced notable success stories, including young UAE all-rounder Aayan Khan and Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani.

Andrew Puttick said: “It’s an honour to work in a setup that values player development. I’m eager to contribute to our collective success.”

Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer, Adani Sportsline, added: “We are thrilled to welcome this exceptional group of cricketing minds. Their experience and shared values will be pivotal in taking the Gulf Giants to new heights.”

Gulf Giants Squad for ILT20 Season 4

Retained – Aayan Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Gerhard Erasmus, James Vince, Mark Adair
New Signings – Azmatullah Omarzai, Moeen Ali, Rahmanullah Gurbaz


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