Gulf Giants Development came out on top of a Super Over thriller against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development at the ICC Academy, Dubai in the fourth edition of the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament.

The tournament served up its first Super Over drama in Wednesday’s first game, as the Giants edged out the Knight Riders after the sides finished level on 210/7 apiece.

Anshh Taandon’s blistering 85 off 34 balls, laced with nine sixes, headlined the Giants’ total alongside Sagar Kalyan’s 52 off 31. Masood Gurbaz (75 off 44) and Muhammad Aftab Alam (48 off 33) gave the Knight Riders Development a strong base before Usaid Amin’s unbeaten 39 off 18 provided late fireworks.

In the Super Over, Knight Riders could only manage 9/1 as Awais Ahmed held his nerve with the ball. Junaid Shamsu smashed a six to help the Giants chase down the target for the loss of one wicket and complete a thrilling win.

Later in the night, defending champions Sharjah Warriorz Development held their nerve to edge out Desert Vipers Development by two wickets in a tense contest.

Bowling first, the Warriorz restricted the Vipers to 155, with Israr Ahmad (32 off 24) and Harshit Kaushik (32 off 20) top-scoring for the Vipers. Meanwhile, Shahid Iqbal (4/32), Hafiz Almas Ayub (3/19) and Junaid Siddique (2/25) did the bulk of the damage with the ball.

In reply, Basil Hameed (50 off 31) and Ronak Panoly (45 off 29) put on 62 for the fourth wicket, but Wali Muhammad Afridi’s (5/16) exploits left the defending champions in trouble at 123/7.  Hafiz Almas Ayub (17* off 8) then pummelled two sixes in the penultimate over to finish proceedings.

On Thursday evening, Desert Vipers Development completed a four-wicket win over Gulf Giants Development.

Put in to bat, the Giants were bowled out for 109 in 17.5 overs, with Junaid Shamsu (22 off 14) and Albin Alias (21 off 21) the only significant contributors. The Vipers bowling attack was in fine form with  Wasim Akram (3/23) and Wali Muhammad Afridi (2/20) proving lethal with the new ball while Matiullah Khan (2/15) and Hilal Noor Afghan (2/22) chipped in with two wickets apiece.

In reply, Nilansh Keswani’s patient 27 off 33 balls anchored the chase, and Zeeshan Abid’s rapid 21 off 13, laced with two sixes, proved decisive as the Vipers eased home with three overs to spare. The Vipers had earlier contributions from Ayaan Misbah (23 off 20) and Vriitya Aravind (20 off 12).

Dubai Capitals Development also overcame MI Emirates Development by five wickets in the day’s first fixture.

Tahir Zaman (4/13) spearheaded a Capitals attack that skittled MI Emirates for just 80 in 14.2 overs, with Zenul Abideen (22 off 20) and Zahoor Khan (18 off 17) the only batters to offer any resistance.

Chasing a modest target, the Capitals were given a flying start by Khalid Shah (14 off 7) before Asif Mohammad Taniwal’s composed 36 off 28 balls steered the innings home. Ali Naseer (2/17) picked up two wickets for MI Emirates, but the Capitals eased to victory in 11.3 overs to open their account for the tournament.

Brief scores

Gulf Giants Development beat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development in a Super Over

Gulf Giants Development 210/7 in 20 overs (Anshh Taandon 85, Sagar Kalyan 52; Zahid Ali 2 for 27) Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development 210/7 in 20 overs (Masood Gurbaz 75, Muhammad Aftab Alam 48; Zuhaib Zubair 2 for 33). Super Over: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development 9/1; Gulf Giants Development 10/1

Sharjah Warriorz Development defeated Desert Vipers Development by two wickets

Desert Vipers Development 155/10 in 19.1 overs (Israr Ahmad 32, Harshit Kaushik 32; Shahid Iqbal 4 for 32, Hafiz Almas Ayub 3 for 19) Sharjah Warriorz Development 161/8 in 18.4 overs (Basil Hameed 50, Ronak Panoly 45; Wali Muhammad Afridi 5 for 16)

Desert Vipers Development defeated Gulf Giants Development by four wickets

Gulf Giants Development 109/10 in 17.5 overs (Junaid Shamsu 22, Albin Alias 21; Wasim Akram 3 for 23, Wali Muhammad Afridi 2 for 20, Matiullah Khan 2 for 15, Hilal Noor Afghan 2 for 22) Desert Vipers Development 112/6 in 17 overs (Nilansh Keswani 27, Ayaan Misbah 23; Awais Ahmed 2 for 23)

Dubai Capitals Development defeated MI Emirates Development by five wickets

MI Emirates Development 80/10 in 14.2 overs (Zenul Abideen 22, Zahoor Khan 18; Tahir Zaman 4 for 13) Dubai Capitals Development 85/5 in 11.3 overs (Asif Mohammad Taniwal 36, Khalid Shah 14; Ali Naseer 2 for 17)

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will host its first Formula 1 Sprint race in 2027, adding a new competitive element to the season finale at Yas Marina Circuit.

The announcement by organisers Ethara Live follows confirmation of the 2027 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar, which includes 24 Grands Prix across 22 countries and 10 Sprint events.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is scheduled to take place from 9 to 12 December 2027, with Yas Marina Circuit set to host the final round of the season.

The Sprint will be held on Saturday over a distance of 100km. Unlike a traditional Grand Prix, it will not require a mandatory pit stop, and the winner will receive eight championship points.

Abu Dhabi is one of five venues selected to host a Sprint for the first time in 2027, alongside Bahrain, Australia, Japan and Monaco. Sprint events will also return to Montréal, Silverstone, Monza, São Paulo and Lusail.

The expanded Sprint programme will bring the number of Sprint events in the season to 10, up from six. Formula 1 and the FIA said the increase reflects continued demand for the format.

The 2027 season will begin with pre-season testing in Bahrain from 24 to 27 February, followed by the opening race in the country and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The championship will then travel to Australia, Japan, China, Miami and Canada.

Portugal is set to return to the calendar in June, while Türkiye will make its comeback in October, with its race scheduled between Azerbaijan and Singapore. The season will conclude with rounds in Austin, Mexico City, São Paulo, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA, said the calendar reflected Formula 1’s global appeal and continued growth, while combining established venues with returning destinations and an expanded Sprint programme.

The Abu Dhabi Sprint will give fans at Yas Marina an additional opportunity to see championship points contested before the season concludes on Sunday.

Tributes have poured in after the son of former Chelsea star Eddie Newton was found dead alongside his friend following a hike in the UAE, where temperatures soared to 50C.

Cassius Newton, 34, and his friend Aran Martinson, 33, were found by rescuers on July 18 after setting out on a hike in the mountainous Wadi Naqab region.

The pair, from Dorset and Essex respectively, both lived and worked in the UAE. Their bodies were discovered between 3km and 4km from their vehicle.

According to a report, Chelmsford area coroner Michelle Brown said their provisional causes of death included cardiac and respiratory arrest.

Cassius, a non-league footballer, was the son of former Chelsea midfielder and coach Eddie Newton, who spent more than a decade with the club.

His wife was in the UK when she became concerned after Cassius failed to contact her following the hike and reported him missing.

The two men had been living at a luxury resort in Ras Al Khaimah.

Tributes after desert tragedy

Tributes poured in after the deaths.

Aran’s wife described him as “incredibly driven, hardworking and ambitious”, saying he had recently begun a new chapter in his career and was excited about the future.

Blackfield & Langley Football Club paid tribute to their former player, saying: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news of the passing of former player Cassius Newton; our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”

National League club Eastleigh, where Cassius had previously played, said it was “deeply saddened” by his death.

Chelsea connection

Cassius’ father Eddie Newton played for Chelsea from 1990 to 2001 and famously scored in the club’s 1997 FA Cup final victory.

The former midfielder also represented Cardiff City, Birmingham City, Oxford United and Barnet.

After retiring as a player, Newton moved into coaching, working as assistant manager at MK Dons and West Brom before returning to Chelsea.

He later served as assistant manager under Roberto Di Matteo and Rafael Benítez.

(With inputs from BBC, The Sun)