The Desert Vipers defeated the Gulf Giants by six wickets in a low scoring affair to complete their second consecutive victory in the ILT20 at the Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday.

An unbeaten knock of 42 runs from all-rounder Sam Curran orchestrated a comfortable run chase for the Desert Vipers. He was assisted by Sherfane Rutherford who finished with 40 runs in 18 balls to bring the Vipers home in 17.4 overs.

The Vipers’ pacers ruled the first innings as skipper Lockie Ferguson and Mohammad Amir ran through the Giants top and middle order with three and two wickets respectively. Leading from the front, James Vince waged a lone battle, putting on an unbeaten 76 runs in 62 balls to steer the Giants to 119/9 in 20 overs.

The Desert Vipers’ were rattled in the second over of their run chase as Mark Adair accounted for Fakhar Zaman and the in-form Dan Lawrence. The English duo of Alex Hales and Sam Curran saw the Vipers through the powerplay, delicately placed at 22/2.

While Hales was the more reserved of the two, Curran broke the shackles in the seventh over with a six over extra cover and a four off Daniel Worall. Curran and Hales steadied the ship, combining for 49 runs before Blessing Muzarabani got the all-important breakthrough of Alex Hales. Hales scored 20 runs in 30 balls.

Azam Khan miscued Tymal Mills’ shorter one to depart for seven runs and leave the score at 66/4 in 12.2 overs. Every time the pressure built; Curran found a boundary to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Sherfane Rutherford joined the run chase as the Vipers cruised towards the target. The pair put on 55 runs in 32 balls as Rutherford struck two sixes and a four in the 18th over to chase down the target of 120 in 17.4 overs. Curran remained unbeaten on 42 runs in 43 balls including four fours and a six.

Earlier in the evening, the Gulf Giants lost early wickets with Amir tapping Adam Lyth, LBW, as early as the first over. Soon after, Ferguson scalped Rehan Khan, while Jordan Cox was dismissed by Curran to leave the Giants in hot water at 32/3 in six overs.

Opener James Vince played a measured innings, taking few chances and frequently rotating the strike. However, he struggled to find support with wickets tumbling around him.

Wanindu Hasaranga cleaned up Ollie Robinson for a duck in the sixth over while Ferguson returned to the attack to pick up the dangerous Shimron Hetmyer and Mark Adair for single figures.

At 50/6, Vince found brief support in UAE’s Aayan Afzal Khan, who scored 15 off 18 and launched Hasaranga for the first six of the game during a 36-run stand.

However, Khan’s dismissal in the 15th over by Luke Wood further dented the Giants’ efforts. Amir then picked off Saghir Khan with a clever slower delivery, leaving Vince to fight a lone battle.

In the 18th over, James Vince took down Luke Wood for 15 runs, bringing up a 47-ball half century in the process.

Vince retained strike for the final two overs squeezing a couple more boundaries to place the Giants at 119/9 in 20 overs.

Brief scores

Desert Vipers beat Gulf Giants by six wickets

Gulf Giants 119/9 in 20 overs (James Vince 76, Aayan Afzal Khan 15, Lockie Ferguson 3 for 22, Mohammad Amir 2 for 23)

Desert Vipers 121/4 in 20 overs (Sam Curran 42 not out, Sherfane Rutherford 40 not out, Mark Adair 2 for 12, Tymal Mills 1 for 23

Player of the Match: Sam Curran

The UAE’s most advanced Earth-imaging satellite, MBZ-SAT, will launch on Tuesday, January 14, at 10:49 PM UAE time from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has announced.

This marks the second satellite entirely developed by Emirati engineers. MBZ-SAT, weighing 700 kg, will launch alongside the student-built CubeSat, HCT-SAT 1, as part of SpaceX’s rideshare program. Originally planned for October 2024, the launch was delayed due to technical issues with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. A livestream of the event will be available from 9:30 PM UAE time at live.mbrsc.ae.

The SpaceX rideshare program, introduced in 2019, has enabled the deployment of over 200 satellites, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional launches.

MBZ-SAT, named after President Sheikh Mohamed, will revolutionize Earth observation with enhanced imaging capabilities, producing ten times more images than current satellites. Meanwhile, HCT-SAT 1 underscores the UAE’s commitment to fostering future space experts.

Salem Humaid Al Marri, Director-General of MBRSC, stated, “We have a team of seven members on-site in the US and another at Mission Control in Dubai, working around the clock to ensure a successful launch.”

The UAE currently operates 10 satellites, with eight more under development. MBZ-SAT underwent rigorous testing in the UAE before being transported to South Korea for environmental assessments. Afterward, it was shipped to SpaceX in the US for final testing.

Marri described the simultaneous launch of these two distinct satellites as a moment of national pride. He emphasized the significance of combining advanced space technology with initiatives like the HCT-SAT program, which involved 50 students from across the UAE. This dual effort, he said, highlights the country’s dedication to building a robust space industry while nurturing local talent.

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The Tennis Ball Cricket Premier League (TBCPL 10) today announced its inaugural T10 tournament featuring eight franchise teams, scheduled to take place from May 26 to June 5, 2025. The tournament, which will be exclusively broadcast on Sony Sports Network, promises to bring the excitement of tennis ball cricket to millions of viewers globally. The venue for the exciting tournament shall be announced soon. The groundbreaking professional tennis ball cricket league will showcase franchises representing key Indian cities: Mumbai Mavericks, Delhi Dynamos, Bangalore Blasters, Kolkata Kings, Chandigarh Champions, Hyderabad Hunters, Ahmedabad Avengers, and Chennai Challengers.

The tournament structure includes 31 league matches followed by four playoff games, bringing the excitement of professional tennis ball cricket to a global stage. In a comprehensive talent search initiative, TBCPL 10 will conduct trials across 50 cities in India, including major centers in North, East, and Central zones, ensuring representation from every corner of the country.

The league will conduct its inaugural player auction on May 5-6, 2025, where the eight franchises will build their teams from the pool of talented players selected through the nationwide trials.

TBCPL 10 represents a revolutionary step in organizing tennis ball cricket at a professional level, bringing structure and excitement to a format that has been a beloved part of street cricket culture. This unprecedented tournament aims to transform casual tennis ball cricket into a professional sporting spectacle, backed by what industry experts are calling the world’s most sustainable cricket business model.

The announcement of cricketing legend Yuvraj Singh as Brand Ambassador marks a significant milestone for the league. The World Cup-winning all-rounder, known for his explosive batting and match-winning performances, brings his vast experience and passion for cricket development to TBCPL 10.

“I am thrilled to be part of this historic moment in cricket. I remember earning Rs 50 (Dh214) as a kid after hitting five sixes in an over playing tennis ball cricket,” said Yuvraj Singh, while speaking  about the league’s ‘phenomenal potential’ at the kickoff event in Dubai. “TBCPL 10 is the first tournament to bring professional tennis ball cricket talents from so many Indian cities simultaneously. Now, we’re elevating this format to a professional level across multiple cities. It’s a dream come true for many aspiring cricketers who will now have a platform to showcase their talent.”

Key league stakeholder Mohit Joon of TBC pvt ltd., emphasized the unprecedented scale of the tournament: “TBCPL 10 is making history as the first professional tennis ball cricket league to endorse talents simultaneously across eight major Indian locations. With trials planned in 50 cities, we’re creating the most extensive talent scouting network in tennis ball cricket history. Having Yuvraj Singh on board adds tremendous value to our vision, and our partnership with Sony Sports Network ensures the widest possible reach for this exciting format. We’re confident that this tournament will revolutionize tennis ball cricket as an important cricketing avenue to be perceived and played well.”

League promoter Naresh Pawar, lauded this innovative initiative by sharing “The launch of TBCPL 10 marks a landmark moment in T10 sports. Our sustainable business model sets new standards in cricket administration and commercial viability. Never before has tennis ball cricket been organized at this scale across so many cities. This tournament unlike many others will bridge the gap between street cricket and professional sports, creating new opportunities for talents across the country. We are particularly excited about the tournament’s potential to discover hidden gems from every corner of these cities.”