Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka believes the presence of Indian cricketers in Abu Dhabi T10 helps in attracting fan attention and also helps in developing the talent. The bowling allrounder, who is playing for Bangla Tigers in the 2024 Abu Dhabi T10, is teammates with former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik in the league’s eighth edition. The former Sri Lankan captain said that Karthik’s presence is a major boost for their side.
“Dinesh Karthik shares a lot of experience with us, especially the youngsters. It’s a great boost to have one of the Indian greats here with us. His presence really helps our combination and he also attracts a lot of fan attraction he brings. There are a lot of fans backing him,” he said.
The 33-year-old added that having Indian players in T10 helps in elevating the level of the competition. “Indian players coming here is a very special moment because the players who have played IPL and carry so much experience on their shoulders. Everyone is looking forward to the same – and hopefully, more and more Indian players start coming here in T10 from next year onwards.”
Shanaka’s remarks came after his side went down to Ajman Bolts in Abu Dhabi T10 by 31 runs on Wednesday at Zayed Cricket Stadium. In the match, Alex Hales smashed an unbeaten 75 off 30, setting up a mammoth target of 134 for the Tigers to chase. Shanaka said that the bowlers were a tad bit expensive in the afternoon which cost them the match.
“I think we were a little bit expensive today with the ball. We have to take it as this is T10 format. It is one of the days when our bowlers did not click. Alex played really well and hence they were able to set up a massive target on this wicket. We had to bowl from day one to chase down the total. We cannot hang around and look for the singles and rotate strike. That is one area where we are unable to click. Hopefully we will bounce back,” he said.
Meanwhile, just after the Abu Dhabi T10 final on December 2nd, the highly-anticipated inaugural edition of Lanka T10 will take place in Pallekele between December 11th to December 18th, continuing the legacy of the fastest-growing format of the sport.
Expressing his excitement about the upcoming tournament, Shanaka said, “Over the years, Abu Dhabi T10 has achieved the highest standards as compared to many other leagues. But as we travel to Sri Lanka, there will be many stars coming there as well.”
“So it will be a really good competition and the T10 format as well. I expect a similar standard as Abu Dhabi in Lanka T10. And that showcases how far this format has grown. Hopefully, it will happen the same way,” he signed off.
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Abu Dhabi is set to make basketball history this September as it hosts the first-ever EuroLeague Basketball SuperCup, bringing four of Europe’s top clubs together for a two-day showdown at Etihad Arena.
Taking place on September 18 and 19, 2026, the inaugural tournament will feature Real Madrid, Olympiacos Piraeus, Fenerbahce Tarfin Istanbul and Dubai Basketball in a Final Four-style competition.
The event is being delivered through a partnership between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Euroleague Basketball, adding another major international sporting event to the capital’s growing calendar.
Two days, four teams and one new trophy
The action gets underway on Friday, September 18, with two semi-finals.
6pm: Olympiacos Piraeus vs Fenerbahce Tarfin Istanbul
9pm: Dubai Basketball vs Real Madrid
The winners will advance to Saturday night’s championship game, while the losing teams will meet earlier in the day for the third-place match.
On Saturday, September 19:
6pm: Third-place game
9pm: Inaugural EuroLeague Basketball SuperCup Final
The winner will make history as the first team to lift the new trophy.
Abu Dhabi adds another major basketball event
The tournament builds on Abu Dhabi’s growing reputation as a destination for elite basketball. The capital has hosted a number of major basketball showcases in recent years, helping bring some of the sport’s biggest clubs and stars to UAE audiences.
The new SuperCup will also give fans the chance to see Dubai Basketball compete against some of the biggest names in European club basketball, including Real Madrid.
DCT Abu Dhabi said the event forms part of the emirate’s wider strategy to expand its international sporting calendar while attracting visitors and creating opportunities for local businesses and communities.
Euroleague Basketball President Dejan Bodiroga described the competition as a new chapter for European club basketball, while CEO Chus Bueno said Abu Dhabi would provide fans with an opportunity to experience the sport at its highest level.
Tickets
Full-package tickets are already available through Etihad Arena, while single-day tickets are scheduled to go on sale on August 31.
EuroLeague SuperCup Prices
Ticket category
Price
Baseline Upper Bowl 2
Dh572
Baseline Upper Bowl 1
Dh668
Central Lower Bowl 2
Dh1,338
Central Lower Bowl 1
Dh1,434
Hollywood 2 Hospitality
Dh9,188
First-row Bench
Dh7,751
First-row Courtside
Dh10,911
Event details
Where: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi When: September 18–19, 2026 Teams: Real Madrid, Olympiacos Piraeus, Fenerbahce Tarfin Istanbul, Dubai Basketball For tickets, go to www.etihadarena.ae
A Dubai-based student robotics team has put the UAE on the global STEM map after securing a major award at one of the world’s leading robotics competitions and earning an invitation to an elite international event in the US.
Team UFORCE, representing Unique World Robotics (UWR), finished third in the prestigious Inspire Award category at the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Michiana Premier Event, held in Indiana from June 18 to 21.
The Inspire Award is FTC’s highest judged honour, recognising excellence in robot design, engineering, programming, innovation, teamwork and community impact. Team UFORCE competed against 96 top robotics teams from around the world.
Invited to exclusive global event
Following its strong performance, Team UFORCE also competed at the Multinational Tech Invitational (MTI) in Maryland, an invitation-only competition featuring just 44 of the world’s best FTC teams selected from more than 11,000 active teams globally.
Showcasing UAE STEM talent
The 16-member team includes students from schools across Dubai and Sharjah, highlighting the UAE’s growing talent in robotics and engineering.
“This achievement reflects the dedication, innovation and perseverance of our students and mentors,” said Bansan Thomas George, founder of Unique World Robotics.
Head coach Mohammed Mukhtar said competing on global platforms demonstrates the ability of young innovators from the UAE to excel internationally.
Team captain Aarnav Bhargava described the competitions as a valuable opportunity to develop technical skills, teamwork and confidence while competing against some of the world’s best robotics teams.
About FIRST Tech Challenge
FIRST Tech Challenge is one of the world’s largest youth robotics programmes and is supported by organisations including Google, Amazon and NASA.
The programme also offers students access to scholarships, mentorship opportunities and pathways to leading universities and STEM institutions.
The achievement also reflects the growing impact of firstrobotics.ae, a UAE volunteer-led robotics community that supports students interested in robotics, artificial intelligence and STEM education.
For UAE fast bowler Muhammad Rohid, being among the highest-valued local players at the DP World ILT20’s first-ever player auction was more than a career milestone, it was proof that homegrown cricketers now have a genuine pathway to the professional game.
The left-arm pacer was signed by MI Emirates for $140,000 ahead of Season 4, making him the fifth-highest-priced UAE player in the historic auction. Rohid believes the league is changing the future of cricket in the Emirates by giving young players a platform to showcase their talent alongside some of the biggest names in the sport.
“The biggest thing the DP World ILT20 has done is create a clear pathway for UAE players,” Rohid said. “Young cricketers can now see that if they perform well, opportunities will come, whether that’s with a franchise or the national team.”
The 24-year-old credits the tournament with helping him develop both on and off the field. He recalled one of his standout moments from
Season 4, when he was told he would be playing in Qualifier 2 just 10 minutes before the toss. Despite the late call-up, Rohid delivered figures of 2 for 19, dismissing Brandon McMullen and Liam Livingstone during a match-winning spell.
“The biggest lesson I learned was to always stay ready because opportunities can come at any moment,” he said. “The environment taught me to trust my preparation, stay calm under pressure and back my abilities.”
Rohid also highlighted the value of sharing a dressing room with international stars such as Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Shakib Al Hasan.
“Watching how they prepare, train and handle pressure has been a huge learning experience. They were always willing to share advice, and those conversations helped me become a better player.”
The pacer has since become a regular member of the UAE national team, featuring in ODIs and T20 Internationals, while also earning selection for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where he represented the UAE against New Zealand.
Looking ahead, Rohid says his focus remains on improving his game and becoming a bowler his captain can rely on in every situation.
“I want to keep getting better every season and contribute more for both the UAE and MI Emirates. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve received and hope to make the most of them.”
Season 5 of the DP World ILT20 is scheduled to take place in November and December 2026.
