Abu Dhabi Knight Riders kept their DP World ILT20 Season 4 title hopes alive with a commanding 50-run victory over Dubai Capitals in the Eliminator at Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.
A blistering opening stand from Michael Pepper and Phil Salt laid the platform before Sunil Narine spearheaded a ruthless bowling display that left the Capitals reeling and knocked them out of the tournament.
The win sets up a blockbuster Qualifier 2 clash for the Knight Riders against MI Emirates on Friday, with a place in Sunday’s final against Desert Vipers on the line.
After being put in to bat, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders got off to a flying start. Pepper continued his rich vein of form with a fluent 72 off 49 balls, smashing seven fours and three sixes. Alongside Phil Salt, who chipped in with a steady 43 off 34 deliveries, the duo put on a dominant 122-run opening partnership in just 81 balls.
Pepper raced to his half-century off 36 balls as the Knight Riders surged to 55 without loss in the powerplay and looked set for a total well beyond 170. However, Dubai Capitals hit back sharply in the middle overs. Mohammad Nabi dismissed Salt in the 14th over, triggering a dramatic collapse that saw Abu Dhabi lose seven wickets for just 36 runs.
Despite the wobble, skipper Jason Holder played a crucial cameo at the death, smashing an unbeaten 22 off 11 balls to drag the Knight Riders to a competitive 158/7. Nabi was the standout for the Capitals with figures of 3 for 25.
In reply, Dubai Capitals’ chase never really got going. Jason Holder struck early to remove Toby Albert before Ajay Kumar sent Jordan Cox packing, putting the Capitals under immediate pressure. Sunil Narine then took full control, ripping through the middle order with trademark accuracy and guile.
Narine dismissed Shayan Jahangir and Navin Bidaisee before adding the wicket of Gulbadin Naib, leaving Dubai Capitals struggling at 43/4 inside the powerplay. Liam Livingstone and Holder piled on the misery, sharing key wickets as the required rate ballooned.
Despite brief resistance from Mohammad Nabi (27) and James Neesham (19), the Capitals were bundled out for 108 in 16.2 overs. Narine, Holder and Livingstone finished with three wickets apiece, sealing a comprehensive win.
Player of the Match Sunil Narine called the victory emotional, saying the team had pushed hard to make the playoffs after three seasons of disappointment.
With momentum firmly on their side, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders now stand just one win away from the final.
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Football fans travelling with Emirates this summer won’t have to worry about missing any FIFA World Cup 2026 action. Dubai’s flagship airline Emirates, has announced that it will broadcast every match of the tournament live onboard its flights through Sport24, its dedicated live sports channel available on the award-winning ice entertainment system.
Passengers will be able to follow every moment of the world’s biggest football tournament while flying at 40,000 feet. The move ensures customers can stay connected to the action no matter where they are travelling, with live coverage available throughout the competition.
Emirates said the complete FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast schedule is featured its ice magazine, allowing passengers to plan their journeys around key fixtures and follow their favourite teams during the tournament.
The live coverage will be available on most Emirates aircraft equipped with Sport24 and Sport24 Extra, although availability may vary depending on aircraft type and route. Selected FIFA World Cup matches will also be shown in Emirates Lounges across Dubai, giving travellers additional opportunities to catch the action before departure.
Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca was transformed into a global stage on Thursday Night as the FIFA World Cup 2026 officially got underway, marking the beginning of the biggest edition in the tournament’s history.
A vibrant opening ceremony showcased a blend of Mexican culture, music and modern spectacle, with performances from international stars including Shakira and Burna Boy. The ceremony was designed to reflect both the heritage of the host nation and the global nature of the tournament, which for the first time will be staged across three countries — Mexico, the United States and Canada.
Before the first whistle of the competition, the atmosphere inside the historic stadium reached a crescendo as thousands of fans filled the stands, waving flags and lighting up the arena in a sea of colour. The Estadio Azteca, already steeped in football history, has now become the first venue in the world to host matches across three separate FIFA World Cups, having previously staged the 1970 and 1986 finals.
In a further highlight of the ceremony, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli performed the tournament’s official anthem, adding a classical flourish to an evening otherwise defined by high-energy performances and large-scale choreography.
FIFA officials described the opening event as a “symbolic bridge between continents”, underlining the expanded format of the 2026 tournament. For the first time, the World Cup will feature 48 teams — up from 32 — and a total of 104 matches, spread across 16 host cities across North America. The expansion is intended to increase global participation and bring the tournament to a wider range of supporters.
Immediately after the ceremony, hosts Mexico faced South Africa in the tournament’s opening match, kicking off what is expected to be a month-long football spectacle. The match began under heavy security and heightened global attention, with millions watching around the world.
The expanded format has also brought logistical challenges, with teams required to travel across vast distances between venues in multiple countries. Organisers have emphasised investments in transport infrastructure, stadium upgrades and sustainability measures aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of the tournament.
The 2026 edition also arrives at a time when football’s global profile continues to grow rapidly, with record broadcast deals, increased digital streaming access and heightened commercial interest from sponsors. Analysts expect the tournament to break previous viewership records, particularly given its tri-nation hosting model and expanded team lineup.
Estadio Azteca itself remains one of football’s most storied venues. It famously hosted Brazil’s Pelé lifting the trophy in 1970 and Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century” performances in 1986. Its role in opening the 2026 tournament has been widely seen as a nod to football’s rich history in Mexico, while also signalling a new era for the sport.
As fireworks lit up the Mexico City skyline following the ceremony, attention now turns to the next phase of the tournament’s opening schedule, with matches set to continue across North America in what promises to be the most geographically expansive World Cup ever staged.
For fans, players and organisers alike, the message from Mexico City was clear: the world’s biggest sporting event has begun, and it is set to be bigger, broader and more ambitious than ever before.
Emirati International Arbiter Abdullah Murad Al Mazmi has been appointed to the officiating panel for the 2026 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships, one of the biggest events on the global chess calendar.
The championship will take place in Hong Kong from June 16 to 22 and is expected to feature many of the world’s leading grandmasters, including world number one Magnus Carlsen.
Al Mazmi’s selection highlights the growing international recognition of Emirati chess officials. He currently serves as Chairman of the Arab Chess Federation’s Arbiters Committee and Tournament Director of the prestigious Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship.
Speaking about the appointment, Al Mazmi said he was proud to represent the UAE at one of chess’s most prestigious global events. He described the selection as a reflection of FIDE’s confidence in Emirati arbiters and their ability to officiate at the highest international level.
He added that the role carries significant responsibility and offers a valuable opportunity to exchange expertise with some of the world’s top chess officials while showcasing the progress of UAE chess on the global stage.
The appointment marks another milestone for Emirati representation in international sports administration and reinforces the UAE’s growing presence in the world of chess.
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