Jaffna Titans had thoroughly dominated the first edition of Lanka T10 Super League and Hambantota Bangla Tigers during the tournament. But the Tigers roared back when it was most needed against the same opposition. Hambantota Bangla Tigers were crowned the first champions after they defeated Titans by 26 runs in the title clash.
Bangla Tigers had put up a big total of 133/7 on the board in 10 overs, courtesy some power-hitting from Mohammad Shahzad, captain Dasun Shanaka, Shevon Daniel which was followed by a late surge from Kennar Lewis and Dhananjaya Lakshan.
Openers Shahzad who struck 26 off 11 and Kusal Perera stitched an opening stand of 35 runs in 4.2 overs but lost a few wickets in regular intervals to get reduced to 59/3. Shanaka then joined hands with Daniel and the two scored a partnership of 44 runs for the fourth wicket before the skipper eventually departed for 21 off 10. Daniel struck 26 off 15.
Later, Lewis (10 off 4) and Lakshan (10* off 2) then pushed the paddle and contributed some valuable runs lower down the order.
The Titans never really had the start they wanted barring the first over where the side managed to collect 17 runs. They lost wickets at regular intervals and were pushed on the backfoot by the Hambantota bowlers. Richard Gleeson was the pick of the bowlers after he returned with figures of 3/21 in two overs while Shanaka scalped a couple of wickets for 4 runs in one over.
Tom Abell was the lone warrior for Jaffna as he returned unbeaten at 54 off 27.
The finale was decorated with some brilliant electrifying performances from singer Hana Shafa and musical Wasthi that kept the spectators and fans glued to their seats and tv sets.
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.
Abu Dhabi is set to make basketball history this September as it hosts the first-ever EuroLeague Basketball SuperCup, bringing four of Europe’s top clubs together for a two-day showdown at Etihad Arena.
Taking place on September 18 and 19, 2026, the inaugural tournament will feature Real Madrid, Olympiacos Piraeus, Fenerbahce Tarfin Istanbul and Dubai Basketball in a Final Four-style competition.
The event is being delivered through a partnership between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Euroleague Basketball, adding another major international sporting event to the capital’s growing calendar.
Two days, four teams and one new trophy
The action gets underway on Friday, September 18, with two semi-finals.
6pm: Olympiacos Piraeus vs Fenerbahce Tarfin Istanbul
9pm: Dubai Basketball vs Real Madrid
The winners will advance to Saturday night’s championship game, while the losing teams will meet earlier in the day for the third-place match.
On Saturday, September 19:
6pm: Third-place game
9pm: Inaugural EuroLeague Basketball SuperCup Final
The winner will make history as the first team to lift the new trophy.
Abu Dhabi adds another major basketball event
The tournament builds on Abu Dhabi’s growing reputation as a destination for elite basketball. The capital has hosted a number of major basketball showcases in recent years, helping bring some of the sport’s biggest clubs and stars to UAE audiences.
The new SuperCup will also give fans the chance to see Dubai Basketball compete against some of the biggest names in European club basketball, including Real Madrid.
DCT Abu Dhabi said the event forms part of the emirate’s wider strategy to expand its international sporting calendar while attracting visitors and creating opportunities for local businesses and communities.
Euroleague Basketball President Dejan Bodiroga described the competition as a new chapter for European club basketball, while CEO Chus Bueno said Abu Dhabi would provide fans with an opportunity to experience the sport at its highest level.
Tickets
Full-package tickets are already available through Etihad Arena, while single-day tickets are scheduled to go on sale on August 31.
EuroLeague SuperCup Prices
Ticket category
Price
Baseline Upper Bowl 2
Dh572
Baseline Upper Bowl 1
Dh668
Central Lower Bowl 2
Dh1,338
Central Lower Bowl 1
Dh1,434
Hollywood 2 Hospitality
Dh9,188
First-row Bench
Dh7,751
First-row Courtside
Dh10,911
Event details
Where: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi When: September 18–19, 2026 Teams: Real Madrid, Olympiacos Piraeus, Fenerbahce Tarfin Istanbul, Dubai Basketball For tickets, go to www.etihadarena.ae
A Dubai-based student robotics team has put the UAE on the global STEM map after securing a major award at one of the world’s leading robotics competitions and earning an invitation to an elite international event in the US.
Team UFORCE, representing Unique World Robotics (UWR), finished third in the prestigious Inspire Award category at the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Michiana Premier Event, held in Indiana from June 18 to 21.
The Inspire Award is FTC’s highest judged honour, recognising excellence in robot design, engineering, programming, innovation, teamwork and community impact. Team UFORCE competed against 96 top robotics teams from around the world.
Invited to exclusive global event
Following its strong performance, Team UFORCE also competed at the Multinational Tech Invitational (MTI) in Maryland, an invitation-only competition featuring just 44 of the world’s best FTC teams selected from more than 11,000 active teams globally.
Showcasing UAE STEM talent
The 16-member team includes students from schools across Dubai and Sharjah, highlighting the UAE’s growing talent in robotics and engineering.
“This achievement reflects the dedication, innovation and perseverance of our students and mentors,” said Bansan Thomas George, founder of Unique World Robotics.
Head coach Mohammed Mukhtar said competing on global platforms demonstrates the ability of young innovators from the UAE to excel internationally.
Team captain Aarnav Bhargava described the competitions as a valuable opportunity to develop technical skills, teamwork and confidence while competing against some of the world’s best robotics teams.
About FIRST Tech Challenge
FIRST Tech Challenge is one of the world’s largest youth robotics programmes and is supported by organisations including Google, Amazon and NASA.
The programme also offers students access to scholarships, mentorship opportunities and pathways to leading universities and STEM institutions.
The achievement also reflects the growing impact of firstrobotics.ae, a UAE volunteer-led robotics community that supports students interested in robotics, artificial intelligence and STEM education.
For UAE fast bowler Muhammad Rohid, being among the highest-valued local players at the DP World ILT20’s first-ever player auction was more than a career milestone, it was proof that homegrown cricketers now have a genuine pathway to the professional game.
The left-arm pacer was signed by MI Emirates for $140,000 ahead of Season 4, making him the fifth-highest-priced UAE player in the historic auction. Rohid believes the league is changing the future of cricket in the Emirates by giving young players a platform to showcase their talent alongside some of the biggest names in the sport.
“The biggest thing the DP World ILT20 has done is create a clear pathway for UAE players,” Rohid said. “Young cricketers can now see that if they perform well, opportunities will come, whether that’s with a franchise or the national team.”
The 24-year-old credits the tournament with helping him develop both on and off the field. He recalled one of his standout moments from
Season 4, when he was told he would be playing in Qualifier 2 just 10 minutes before the toss. Despite the late call-up, Rohid delivered figures of 2 for 19, dismissing Brandon McMullen and Liam Livingstone during a match-winning spell.
“The biggest lesson I learned was to always stay ready because opportunities can come at any moment,” he said. “The environment taught me to trust my preparation, stay calm under pressure and back my abilities.”
Rohid also highlighted the value of sharing a dressing room with international stars such as Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Shakib Al Hasan.
“Watching how they prepare, train and handle pressure has been a huge learning experience. They were always willing to share advice, and those conversations helped me become a better player.”
The pacer has since become a regular member of the UAE national team, featuring in ODIs and T20 Internationals, while also earning selection for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where he represented the UAE against New Zealand.
Looking ahead, Rohid says his focus remains on improving his game and becoming a bowler his captain can rely on in every situation.
“I want to keep getting better every season and contribute more for both the UAE and MI Emirates. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve received and hope to make the most of them.”
Season 5 of the DP World ILT20 is scheduled to take place in November and December 2026.
