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Dubai Capitals clinch maiden title at DP World ILT20 Season 3

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In a dramatic climax to DP World ILT20 Season 3, the Dubai Capitals overcame last season’s heartbreak to claim their maiden title with a four-wicket win over the Desert Vipers in Sunday’s final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Dubai Capitals took home the cash prize of USD 700,000 while the Desert Vipers were awarded USD 300,000. 

Chasing 189, Sikandar Raza provided the decisive late surge with a blistering 12-ball 34, sealing victory in the final over. Earlier, Rovman Powell’s 63 and Shai Hope’s composed 43 laid the foundation for the Capitals’ triumphant chase. 

For the Vipers, Max Holden’s innings of 76 runs weathered the loss of early wickets before Sam Curran took control of proceedings with an unbeaten half century, studded with five fours and three sixes. Azam Khan also stepped up on the occasion with a boundary laden cameo of 27 runs in the death overs. 

The Capitals’ run chase was derailed early in the innings. David Warner was out in the second over, dragging the ball onto his stumps to give David Payne an early breakthrough. Mohammad Amir then struck twice in quick succession, dismissing the in-form Gulbadin Naib and captain Sam Billings. At the end of the powerplay, the Capitals found themselves at 39/3, but they were in the fight as Shai Hope and Rovman Powell were in the middle. 

While Hope was the more cautious partner in the alliance, Powell struck two massive sixes to spur the recovery. Hope eventually stepped on the gas with a six off Nathan Sowter to bring up the 50-run partnership in 31 balls. 

At the end of 12 overs, the game was evenly poised with the Capital at 100/3, needing 90 runs in 48 balls. Curran cracked the 80-run partnership when he scalped Shai Hope, caught at deep mid wicket in the 14th over. Meanwhile, Powell completed a 30-ball half century. 

 The Capitals needed 65 runs in the final five overs and Powell and Dasun Shanaka each smoked a six off Curran in the 16th over to keep the Capitals in the reckoning. Shanaka powered his way to 21 runs in his first nine deliveries until he holed out to Dan Lawrence, off Payne in the next over. 

Nathan Sowter had conceded 13 runs in the 18th over, but he bounced back with the prized wicket of Rovman Powell for 63 runs in 38 balls. Earlier in the night, Powell benefited from a fortuitous no-ball when he was stumped by Azam Khan on two runs (it was only the Vipers’ third no ball of the season). 

 It was Sikandar Raza who scripted the finish for the Dubai Capitals. He struck three fours off Mohammad Amir in the penultimate over and began the 20th over with a six and a four to steer the Capitals to the title in 19.2 overs. The Capitals beat the Desert Vipers for a sixth consecutive time. 

 In the first innings, Obed McCoy gave the Capitals the early breakthrough, picking up both openers Alex Hales and Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the first five overs. However, Max Holden was in sublime form, striking nine glorious boundaries in the powerplay to steer the Vipers to 53/2 in six overs. 

Holden went on to bring up a 32-ball half century in the ninth over and received a reprieve on the next delivery as he was dropped at long-off by Rovman Powell.  Despite this close call, Holden continued to find regular boundaries. Dan Lawrence contributed 10 runs in a 41-run partnership with Holden, before he was eventually dismissed by UAE’s Haider Ali in the tenth over, leaving the score at 75 for 3. 

Curran joined Holden for a 47-run, fourth wicket partnership that cost 35 deliveries. The partnership was broken by Sikandar Raza when he dismissed Max Holden for 76 runs in 51 balls, in the 16th over. 

Azam Khan joined Sam Curran for the late innings fireworks, with a 67-run partnership in 29 balls. Curran crossed the fifty mark in 28 deliveries and remained unbeaten on 62 runs with five fours and three sixes. 

Meanwhile, Azam smashed three fours and a six for a 13-ball knock of 27 runs. He was run out on the last ball of the innings as the Vipers finished with a formidable total of 189/5 in 20 overs. 

Player of the Match, Rovman Powell said: “Credit to the guys in the dressing room, the message was to just stay calm. The competition has been silent for me, but today in the final I wanted to prove myself. In the final, big players stand up. I’m disappointed to get out but glad we got through.” 

Desert Vipers’ Sam Curran, who secured the Red Belt as the Most Valuable Player said: “ It was an amazing game and a small accolade (Red Belt), it is tough to take it when you lose. It is one of the most enjoyable teams I have been in my career. A thoroughly professional setup and hopefully one better next year. I knew lots of coaching staff and players, taking on those roles and being adaptable with the ball. The Capitals have had a few wins over us in the group stage. I thought we had a really good score on the board, but I was extremely proud of the team and the coaching staff. “ 

Shai Hope wins the Green Belt 

Adding to the excitement of a grand final and a new champion, the DP World ILT20’s signature awards that recognise outstanding individual performances saw Shai Hope walk away with the Green Belt (best batter), finishing the competition with 529 runs. MI Emirates’ Fazalhaq Farooqi claimed the White Belt (best bowler) for his 21 wickets in 11 innings. 

Sam Curran who finished the tournament with 387 runs in 12 innings and seven wickets, received the Red Belt as the most valuable player of the season, while MI Emirates’ Muhammad Waseem bagged the Blue Belt awarded to the best UAE players for a third consecutive season. 

Brief scores  

Dubai Capitals beat Desert Vipers by four wickets. 

Desert Vipers 189/5 in 20 overs (Max Holden 76, Sam Curran 62 not out, Azam Khan 27, Obed McCoy 2 for 44, Haider Ali 1 for 6) 

Dubai Capitals 191/6 in 19.2 overs (Rovman Powell 63, Shai Hope 43, Sikandar Raza 34 not out, Dasun Shanaka 21, David Payne 2 for 28, Mohammad Amir 2 for 35) 

Player of the Match: Rovman Powell 

DP World ILT20 Season 3 belt winners: 

Red Belt (Most Valuable Player) – Sam Curran, Dubai Capitals 

Green Belt (Best Batter) – Shai Hope, Dubai Capitals 

White Belt (Best Bowler) – Fazalhaq Farooqi, MI Emirates 

Blue Belt (Best UAE player) – Muhammad Waseem, MI Emirates 

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.

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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