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Desert Vipers clinch top-two finish with dominant win over Gulf Giants 

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The Desert Vipers restored their authority as table-toppers with a comprehensive five-wicket victory against the Gulf Giants.  A composed knock of 70 runs in 54 balls from Max Holden ensured they cruised home in 19 overs at the Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday. Having already sealed a playoff spot, the Vipers cemented a top-two finish with this win. 

Earlier in the contest, three-wicket hauls from Wanindu Hasaranga and Sam Curran limited the Giants to a meagre score of 129/8 despite Tom Curran’s late flourish of 64 runs in 34 balls, with nine fours and a six. 

The Desert Vipers lost both openers in the powerplay, as Mark Adair removed Alex Hales and Blessing Muzarabani picked up Fakhar Zaman within the first four overs. Both wickets were the result of spectacular catches by Chris Jordan and Tom Curran respectively, leading the Vipers to finish the fielding restrictions at 42/2. 

While Dan Lawrence fell cheaply to Chris Jordan, Max Holden, who came in at number three, found the middle of the bat consistently. He joined Sam Curran in a 45-run partnership in 42 balls until Curran holed out to a great catch by James Vince, off Muzarabani. 

Though the run chase stayed heavily skewed in favour of the Vipers, they never got significantly ahead of the equation, needing 33 runs in the final five overs. Holden reached a 42-ball fifty, including six fours and a six, but Muzarabani’s third wicket in Azam Khan, offered the Giants a glimmer of hope. 

However, Holden remained unbeaten alongside Adam Hose in a composed alliance of 32 runs in 21 balls to steer the Vipers home in 19 overs. 

Batting first, it was a tough outing for the Gulf Giants. James Vince was dismissed for 15 runs by Sam Curran as the Giants only mustered 31 runs in the powerplay. 

Wanindu Hasaranga emerged as the most potent threat, slicing through the Giants’ top order. He bowled Tom Alsop for 17 off 26 balls in the seventh over, then trapped Jordan Cox LBW for a mere three runs, reducing the Giants to 44/4 at the halfway mark. 

Khuzaima Tanveer added to the Giants’ woes by removing Shimron Hetmyer in the ninth over. Sam Curran compounded their troubles with a sharp return catch to dismiss Gerhard Erasmus. 

Tim David briefly rallied, launching Lockie Ferguson for a six in the 13th over, but he was dismissed on the very next ball looking for the same outcome, leaving the Giants reeling at 58/6. 

Hasaranga struck again, pinning Jordan Cox on the pads for his third wicket of the night. The Giants seemed on the brink of collapse. However, Tom Curran reinvigorated the innings smashing a 30-ball fifty. He took apart his brother, Sam Curran in the 19th over, clobbering two fours and a six in what turned out to be the most productive over of the innings. Another 14 runs from Tom Curran in the final over pushed the Giants to a total of 129/8 at the end of their turn. 

Player of the Match, Wanindu Hasaranga said: “I tried to stick to my basics and the wrong ones, that’s my plan for success. I love to bowl here, even in the Asia Cup as well I took wickets. The fast bowlers did a great job, and the batters did their jobs, so as a team we have done our things well.” 

Gulf Giants captain, James Vince said: “It wasn’t a great performance with the bat. 130 was always tough to defend. The first 10 overs of the batting innings put us on the back foot. At one stage we were looking at less than 100, until Tom Curran and Aayan’s partnership gave us some relief. We fought well with the ball and took it as far as we could but a little short with the bat.” 

Brief Scores 

Desert Vipers beat Gulf Giants by five wickets 

Gulf Giants 129/8 in 20 overs (Tom Curran 64 not out, Tom Alsop 17, James Vince 15, Wanindu Hasaranga 3 for 10, Sam Curran 3 for 28, Khuzaima Tanveer 1 for 12) 

Desert Vipers 130/5 in 19 overs (Max Holden 70 not out, Sam Curran 16, Fakhar Zaman 14, Blessing Muzarabani 3 for 35)

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Sports

UFC returns to Abu Dhabi this July with blockbuster fight night at Etihad Arena

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Mark your calendars, fight fans. The UFC is making its return to Abu Dhabi on July 26, bringing a stacked Fight Night card to Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed the first six explosive matchups, including a can’t-miss main event featuring former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker taking on Reinier de Ridder, the surging Dutch fighter making waves across the division.

The co-main event sees rising star Aaron Pico make his highly anticipated UFC debut in a five-round featherweight showdown against the undefeated Movsar Evloev.

Official UFC Abu Dhabi Fight Card – July 26

  • Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder – Middleweight Main Event
  • Movsar Evloev vs. Aaron Pico – Featherweight Co-Main (5 rounds)
  • Petr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee – Bantamweight clash with fireworks guaranteed
  • Bryce Mitchell vs. Said Nurmagomedov – High-stakes bantamweight bout
  • Shara Magomedov vs. Marc-André Barriault – Middleweight showdown
  • Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov – Light heavyweight banger

From title contenders to breakout stars and debuting fighters, this card is shaping up to be one of the summer’s most thrilling events in the UAE.

Tickets and more info coming soon. Stay tuned to UFC Arabia and Etihad Arena channels for updates.

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Middle East

DP World ILT20 strikes deal with Kuwait Cricket Board to develop T20 game in region 

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In a major boost for regional cricket, the DP World International League T20 (ILT20) has signed a strategic partnership with the Kuwait Cricket Board to develop the sport in Kuwait and beyond.

The collaboration, formalised at a high-profile ceremony at Dubai International Stadium, will see Kuwait host ILT20 development tournaments, offer exposure to local players, and eventually aim to stage official ILT20 matches on Kuwaiti soil.

This marks the first official partnership of its kind between the Emirates Cricket Board and any other national board under the ILT20 framework, placing Kuwait on the global cricket map.

What This Means for Cricket in the Gulf

  • Annual ILT20 Development Tournaments in Kuwait to identify and nurture local talent
  • Opportunity for Kuwaiti players to be scouted by ILT20 franchises
  • Future possibility of ILT20 matches hosted in Kuwait, expanding the league’s GCC footprint
  • Greater involvement of local sponsors and Kuwaiti brands in regional cricket
  • Enhanced pathway for Kuwaiti nationals to pursue full-time cricket careers

Voices from the Partnership

Khalid Al Zarooni, Chairman of ILT20 and Vice-Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, said: “We are proud to announce this strategic collaboration with the Kuwait Cricket Board as they officially join the DP World ILT20 family. This partnership underscores our commitment to expanding the game’s footprint across the Gulf region. Kuwait is a valued partner, an ambitious country with a clear vision for promoting and developing cricket.


“With strong cricket-playing communities across the region, the DP World ILT20 aims to create opportunities for players and fans alike. Our goal is to elevate the sport and make the league a truly regional platform for cricket excellence.”

Haider Farman, President of Kuwait Cricket, stated: “It is an honour to formalise this landmark agreement between Kuwait Cricket and the Emirates Cricket Board to promote the DP World ILT20, both in our two countries and across the wider region. This partnership is a cornerstone in our shared vision to grow and globalise the sport of cricket.


“We take great pride in Kuwait being recognised as the first strategic partner of the DP World ILT20. Cricket is rapidly gaining momentum in Kuwait, and this collaboration will play a pivotal role in integrating more Kuwaiti nationals into the sport as players, officials, and professionals.

“With the upcoming Asian Games in Qatar (2030) and Saudi Arabia (2034), the timing is ideal. We believe this partnership will inspire the next generation across the GCC and lay the foundation for long-term cricketing success.”

David White, CEO of DP World ILT20, commented: “We congratulate Kuwait Cricket for their strategic foresight and leadership, which have made this exciting partnership possible. The DP World ILT20’s long-term vision extends beyond the UAE; it is to serve as a catalyst for cricket development across the Gulf.

“This agreement opens up incredible opportunities for young talent in Kuwait to grow, compete, and ultimately be scouted for the main league. We’ve already seen how UAE players have benefitted from exposure to high-level competition and coaching, with recent wins like the T20I series against Bangladesh highlighting that impact. We are confident Kuwait will see similar progress.”

Sajid Ashraf, Director General of Kuwait Cricket, added: “This collaboration marks a historic moment for Kuwait Cricket and the broader sporting community. Partnering with the Emirates Cricket Board and the world-class DP World ILT20 opens new doors for our players to pursue full-time careers in professional cricket.


“Beyond the field, this alliance provides a powerful platform for Kuwaiti corporations to connect with the region’s vibrant cricket-loving population. With more than two million expatriates in Kuwait and a population of five million, the potential for commercial engagement is significant.


“We look forward to the launch of the ILT20 Development Tournament in Kuwait and the many opportunities it will bring for players, fans, and businesses. This is a defining step towards building a stronger cricket ecosystem and ensuring lasting impact for generations to come.”

What’s Next?

The first DP World ILT20 Development Tournament in Kuwait is set to be announced soon. Meanwhile, ILT20 Season 4 kicks off in the UAE on December 2, 2025 (UAE National Day), with six teams competing across 34 matches, culminating in the final on January 4, 2026.

As cricket cements its popularity across the GCC, this collaboration signals a shared ambition: to create an inclusive cricket ecosystem, from Dubai to Kuwait and beyond.

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Indian cricket icons headline Super60 USA Legends Tournament this August

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Some of India’s biggest cricketing names are set to bring their star power to the United States as the much-anticipated Super60 USA Legends Tournament gets underway this August. Fans can look forward to seeing Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, and Robin Uthappa in action once again, this time on American soil.

The tournament, which will run from August 5 to 16, is part of a growing movement to promote cricket in non-traditional markets, with the US emerging as a major focus. The T10 format, a fast-paced, dynamic, and spectator-friendly game, promises to offer fans thrilling, bite-sized cricket entertainment.

All three Indian stars bring rich international experience to the tournament:

  • Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina were key members of India’s historic 2011 ODI World Cup-winning squad.
  • Robin Uthappa played a crucial role in India’s victorious 2007 T20 World Cup campaign.

Speaking about his involvement, Harbhajan Singh said:

“I’m thrilled to be part of the Super60 USA Legends Tournament. It’s a unique and distinguished format that promises to bring a fresh perspective to the game. With the involvement of international legends, this tournament is a big step toward popularising cricket in this part of the world.”

Suresh Raina echoed the sentiment:

“I’m excited to be part of the Super60 USA Legends Tournament, which brings together world-class talent. Tournaments like this will play a vital role in growing the cricketing community in the US, and I’m proud to play a role in that journey.”

Robin Uthappa also praised the format and vision:

“The Super60 USA Legends Tournament is an excellent platform, both in terms of competition and innovation. Its unique format brings a fresh appeal to the game and has great potential to attract new fans. It’s exciting to be part of something that contributes meaningfully to cricket’s development in the US.”

The T10 format, known for its high-energy matches and shorter game duration, is helping cricket appeal to newer audiences. With games lasting around 90 minutes, the format delivers the thrill of Twenty20 cricket in a more compact version,  perfect for the entertainment-driven American sports market.

The tournament is being organised with the support of Samp Group, which continues to play a major role in expanding the reach of T10 cricket. The group aims to create the ideal platform for cricketing legends to connect with fans and inspire new players.

With legendary cricketers, a dynamic format, and a rapidly growing US cricket scene, the Super60 USA Legends Tournament promises to be a landmark moment in global cricket’s expansion story.

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