Sports

Desert Vipers stun Gulf Giants in historic super over thriller

Published

4 months ago

December 9, 2025

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The Desert Vipers held their nerve in a nail-biting finish to edge past the Gulf Giants in the first-ever Super Over of the DP World ILT20, clinching a dramatic victory at the Dubai International Stadium on Monday night.

Chasing a stiff target of 180, Dan Lawrence (56 off 31) and Sam Curran (44 off 36) produced a sensational rescue act to drag the Vipers to 179/9, before sealing the match in the Super Over. The result also extended the Vipers’ perfect record against the Giants to six wins from six meetings and marked their third consecutive victory of the season.

Despite a brilliant four-wicket haul from Azmatullah Omarzai (4/32), the Giants were unable to close out the contest as the Vipers’ lower order chipped in under pressure to force the decider.

Giants fire early, stall late

The Gulf Giants exploded out of the blocks with Pathum Nissanka (56 off 29) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (41 off 31) punishing the Vipers’ attack early. The duo smashed 14 runs off Naseem Shah in the opening exchanges and raced to a 50-run stand inside five overs, powering the Giants to 58 in the powerplay.

Nissanka continued his blistering form, bringing up his third half-century in as many matches off just 27 balls, before Noor Ahmad dismissed him immediately after his fourth six of the night. The opening stand of 73 laid the foundation.

Gurbaz then carried the momentum, while James Vince (25 off 22) provided support in a 54-run stand before Khuzaima Tanveer struck twice in quick succession to reduce the Giants to 129/3 after 14 overs.

Late wickets from Noor Ahmad and David Payne slowed the scoring, with only 38 runs coming from the final five overs, as the Giants closed on 179/5.

Vipers wobble, then roar back

The chase began poorly for the Vipers as Omarzai dismissed Fakhar Zaman for 1, before Mark Adair removed Andries Gous to leave them reeling at 14/2.

Curran and Impact Player Max Holden (15 off 15) attempted to steady the innings, but the Vipers were still struggling at 65/3 at the halfway stage after Haider Razzaq struck.

That’s when Curran and Lawrence ignited the comeback. The pair stitched together a vital 60-run stand, with Curran hammering three sixes before falling to Nuwan Thushara.

Lawrence reached his fifty in just 28 balls, but the drama peaked in the 18th over when Omarzai removed Shimron Hetmyer (16 off 8) and then Lawrence in the same over to swing momentum again.

With 13 required off the final over, Tanveer smashed a six before being dismissed by a spectacular catch from Gurbaz. Vriitya Aravind then kept his composure to level the scores and force a Super Over.

Super Over nerves and Naseem’s ice-cold finish

Batting first in the Super Over, the Vipers posted 13/1, with Lawrence finding the fence before Thushara removed him.

Defending the total, Naseem Shah delivered under immense pressure, restricting the Giants to just nine runs, as the Vipers celebrated a historic win.

Captains react

Sam Curran, Desert Vipers stand-in captain, said: “It has been the trend recently, but I am not complaining, three wins from three. Tanveer has been working extremely hard on his batting in the nets. To hit a six under pressure and then bowl really well are very positive signs.”

Moeen Ali, Gulf Giants stand-in skipper, admitted: “We made a couple of mistakes at the wrong time and allowed them back into the game. In this format, the game is never over, and it was one we could easily have won.”

Brief Scores

Gulf Giants 179/5 (20 overs)
Pathum Nissanka 56, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 41
Khuzaima Tanveer 2/23, Noor Ahmad 2/47

Desert Vipers 179/9 (20 overs)
Dan Lawrence 56, Sam Curran 44
Azmatullah Omarzai 4/32, Nuwan Thushara 2/33

Super Over:
Desert Vipers 13/1
Gulf Giants 9/0

Player of the Match: Dan Lawrence

Related Topics:DanLawrence DesertVipers dpworldilt20 dubaisports GulfGiants ILT20 ILT20Season4 SamCurran uae cricket

Michael Gomes

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

Sports

DP World ILT20 Season 4 shatters records with 397 million viewers and 2.5 billion video views

Published

3 days ago

April 10, 2026

Michael Gomes

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The DP World International League T20 (ILT20) has officially cemented its status as a global cricket powerhouse. Following the conclusion of Season 4, new data reveals the league has tightened its grip as the second-most watched cricket league in the world, reaching a staggering 397 million unique viewers across TV and OTT platforms.

This represents a 7.49% increase over Season 3, fuelled by expansive broadcast syndication and the maiden title victory of the Desert Vipers on January 4, 2026.

Digital dominance: 2.5 billion views

While the TV numbers are impressive, the league’s digital footprint saw an even more explosive surge. DP World ILT20 platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, amassed over 2.5 billion video views during the season.

“This season we have further strengthened our position… with significant gains across all platforms,” said David White, CEO of DP World ILT20.

“Our digital content, focusing on both high-stakes action and off-field fan engagement, has truly resonated with a global audience.”

Season 4 statistical highlights

Global Reach: 397 million unique viewers (7.49% YoY growth).
Viral Content: Over 350 social media posts surpassed the 1 million views mark.
Star Power: Features elite talent including Sam Curran (Player of the Tournament), Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran, and Shakib Al Hasan.

Joseph Eapen, Managing Partner at GSIQ, noted that for such a young tournament, achieving this level of international relevance is a “highly credible and noteworthy achievement.”

With Season 4 in the books, the league is already looking toward the future. Officials have confirmed that dates for Season 5 will be unveiled in the coming days, promising an even larger spectacle for cricket fans worldwide.

News

Dubai airport welcomes travellers with special Dubai World Cup passport stamp

Published

2 weeks ago

March 27, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Travellers arriving at Dubai International Airport are being greeted with a unique souvenir, a special stamp on their passports celebrating the Dubai World Cup 2026.

The initiative, launched by the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), marks the 30th edition (Pearl Jubilee) of one of the world’s most prestigious horse racing events.

A grand sporting celebration

The iconic Dubai World Cup will take place on Saturday, March 28 at Meydan Racecourse, drawing global attention from racing fans and elite stables.

This year’s event promises high-stakes action:

100 horses from top international stables
Nine races across the evening
Total prize pool of $30.5 million

Spotlight on the main race

The highlight of the night is the $12 million Dubai World Cup race, sponsored by Emirates Airline.

Run over 2,000 metres on dirt, the Group 1 race will feature some of the world’s top thoroughbreds, including:

“Hit Show” – last year’s winner
“Forever Young” – UAE Derby and Saudi Cup champion
“Imperial Emperor”
“Meidan” – Super Saturday winner

A memorable arrival experience

The commemorative passport stamp adds a celebratory touch for visitors landing in Dubai, tying their arrival to one of the city’s biggest sporting spectacles.

With excitement building ahead of race day, Dubai is once again showcasing its ability to blend world-class sport with unique visitor experiences.

News

Football superstar Erling Haaland invests in Norway Chess to launch global ‘Total Chess’ Championship Tour

Published

3 weeks ago

March 23, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Soccer superstar Erling Haaland has announced a major investment in Norway Chess, backing the launch of a new global competition format, the Total Chess World Championship Tour.

The initiative, unveiled in Oslo, aims to transform chess into a more spectator-friendly and widely accessible sport. Haaland has partnered with Norwegian business leader Morten Borge to establish a new company, Chess Mates, which will become a significant stakeholder in Norway Chess.

Haaland said his investment reflects a strong belief in chess as both a mental discipline and a global spectator sport.

“Chess is an incredible game. It sharpens your mind, and there are clear similarities to football. You have to think quickly, trust your instincts, and think several moves ahead,” he said.

The newly announced Total Chess World Championship Tour is set to feature four tournaments annually across different cities, bringing together the world’s top players. The competition will crown an overall world champion based on combined performance in three formats: Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz.

The tour has been approved by the International Chess Federation for a minimum of 16 years, underscoring its long-term ambition and significance within the global chess calendar.

A pilot tournament is scheduled for autumn 2026, with the first full season expected in 2027. Each season will include four events and offer a minimum prize pool of $2.7 million.

Kjell Madland, CEO of Norway Chess and Total Chess, welcomed Haaland’s involvement, describing it as a major step forward for the sport.

He said Haaland’s global influence and appeal would help attract new audiences and elevate the profile of chess worldwide, adding that preparations are now in the final stages to secure host cities for the inaugural tour.

With millions of fans worldwide, Haaland’s move into chess investment signals a growing crossover between elite sport and strategic mind games, potentially reshaping how chess is consumed and followed globally.