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Great opportunity for youngsters to showcase their talent in T10 cricket: Aamer Sohail

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The T10 has been gathering some headlines with the kind of entertainment that this fast-paced format of the game provides. Lanka T10 Super League which is taking place at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is the latest addition that has kept fans interested in watching T10 cricket. 

Legendary Pakistan cricketer Aamer Sohail has said that a format like T10 requires the batters to get brisk starts and go all guns blazing right from the very beginning. 

“Well, contemporary cricket is all about aggression nowadays. And when you talk about the shorter format like T10, I think it’s all about breaking boundaries for the batters. Especially, the openers have to do the seminal work in a way that takes the pressure off from the middle order. You have to give a brisk start. You don’t have the luxury to play a few dot balls at this level,” Aamer said.  

Sohail who was known for his explosive batting put his weight behind the T10 format and added that it can play a massive role in boosting the sport in non-cricket playing nations. 

“It paves way for youngsters who haven’t got the standing and who are not known. It’s a great opportunity for them provided by T10 cricket to actually showcase their talent. In my opinion, the best way to use this format is to have non-cricket playing countries connected to the game. ICC is already investing so much money in developing the sport in those countries. I think this format will help to inspire and take up the sport,” he said.   

He lavished praise on Sri Lankan fans for showing the kind of support that they do to cricket.

“I think it’s the most loved game in Sri Lanka when you talk about cricket. Any kind of cricket is going to attract them and especially the shorter version where they know they have the luxury of watching plenty of sixes and plenty of boundaries,” he concluded.

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.

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Italy poised for historic T20 World Cup debut after victory over Scotland

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For decades, the blue of Italy has been synonymous with soccer. But as the once-mighty Azzurri football team teeters on the brink of missing a third successive FIFA World Cup, it is another, far less storied national side that is offering the country a shot at global glory.

Italy’s cricketers are now within touching distance of a historic first appearance at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, following a 12-run victory over Scotland on Wednesday in the European regional qualifiers.

The win, achieved in Voorburg, propels Italy to the summit of the standings with one crucial fixture remaining. Victory over the Netherlands on Friday would see them qualify automatically for the 2026 tournament. Even a narrow loss may suffice, should Jersey and Scotland fail to produce the kind of crushing wins required to overhaul Italy’s superior net run rate (1.722, compared to Jersey’s 0.430 and Scotland’s -0.150).

At the centre of this unlikely charge is Joe Burns, the former Australian Test opener who has found new purpose, and a new passport, in leading the Italian side. “It’s a very surreal feeling,” said Burns, whose 23 Tests for Australia included Ashes appearances. 

“To come and beat Scotland, who are an exceptional team, is a wonderful reward for the sacrifices made by our players, our staff and the federation.

“This is hopefully the beginning of something special for Italian cricket. The group is very emotional right now, we know what’s at stake.”

With their final fixture scheduled after Scotland and Jersey conclude their clash earlier on Friday, Italy will take the field knowing precisely what is required.

Scotland, long considered Europe’s most capable challengers outside England, were left to rue a stuttering display with both bat and ball. Captain Richie Berrington admitted his side had been outmanoeuvred. “We stayed in the fight but couldn’t quite execute at the end,” he said. 

“Full credit to Italy, they out-skilled us with the ball in those conditions.

All eyes will now turn to Voorburg, where Italy’s date with destiny awaits, and history is within their reach.

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UFC returns to Abu Dhabi with high-stakes middleweight showdown on July 26

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The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), is set to make a thrilling return to the UAE capital on Saturday, July 26, with a blockbuster middleweight clash headlining the action at Etihad Arena.

Top-ranked contender and fan favourite Robert Whittaker, currently No.5 in the middleweight division, will square off against rising star Reinier de Ridder in what promises to be an electrifying battle.

In a poetic twist, Whittaker returns to Abu Dhabi exactly five years after his victory at the final Fight Island event on July 26, 2020. That win over Darren Till, played out in a silent, pandemic-era arena, became a defining chapter in Whittaker’s storied career. This time, the stage is set for redemption and roar, as he steps back into the Octagon in front of a packed house.

Will the former champion recreate history, or will de Ridder seize his moment on the big stage?

Also on the fight card is a high-intensity light heavyweight bout featuring Türkiye’s Ibo Aslan taking on the USA’s Billy Elekana, a showdown guaranteed to keep fans on the edge of their seats.

Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its global reputation as a world-class destination for combat sports, and this event is shaping up to be another unmissable chapter in the UFC legacy.

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T20 superstars set to light up UAE as DP World ILT20 begins on National Day

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Cricket fans in the UAE are in for another blockbuster season as the DP World International League T20 (ILT20) returns for its fourth edition, kicking off on Tuesday, December 2, coinciding with UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad). The month-long, six-team tournament will conclude on Sunday, January 4, 2026, promising 34 high-octane matches featuring some of the world’s most exciting T20 players.

Big Names Back for Season 4

The first phase of squad selection is complete, and it features a stellar cast of returning favourites and headline-making new signings. Among the top international stars confirmed for Season 4 are:

  • England’s T20 World Cup winners: Alex Hales, Sam Curran (Season 3 MVP – Red Belt Winner), Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, and Chris Woakes
  • West Indies heavy-hitters: Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, and Shai Hope (Season 3 Best Batter – Green Belt Winner)
  • Asia’s top talent: Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Fazalhaq Farooqi (Season 3 Best Bowler – White Belt Winner), and Sikandar Raza (Season 2 MVP – Red Belt Winner)
  • Australia and New Zealand powerhouses: Tim David, Tim Southee, and Lockie Ferguson

Player Auction Coming Soon

Each team has completed eight-player rosters in this initial phase, which included retentions from Season 3 and new signings. The final squads will be completed during the upcoming DP World ILT20 Season 4 Player Auction, with dates and details to be announced shortly.

Key Retentions – Season 3 Heroes Stay Put

Teams have locked in key players from the previous edition:

  • Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Andre Russell, Phil Salt, Charith Asalanka, Sunil Narine
  • Desert Vipers: Sam Curran, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lockie Ferguson, Dan Lawrence
  • Dubai Capitals: Rovman Powell, Shai Hope, Dasun Shanaka
  • Gulf Giants: James Vince, Blessing Muzarabani, Gerhard Erasmus
  • MI Emirates: Fazalhaq Farooqi, Romario Shepherd, Tom Banton, Muhammad Waseem
  • Sharjah Warriorz: Tim Southee, Johnson Charles, Kusal Mendis

New Signings Heat Up the Transfer Window

Several big-name players have changed franchises or made their ILT20 debut:

  • Dubai Capitals: Added Afghan spinner Waqar Salamkheil, pacers Luke Wood and Muhammad Jawadullah
  • Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Signed explosive batters Alex Hales, Liam Livingstone, and Sherfane Rutherford
  • Desert Vipers: Welcomed opener Andries Gous
  • Gulf Giants: Secured Moeen Ali, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz
  • MI Emirates: Added Chris Woakes and Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis
  • Sharjah Warriorz: Signed Sikandar Raza, Maheesh Theekshana, Tim David, and USA quick Saurabh Netravalkar

Mark Your Calendar

The tournament opens on UAE National Day, setting the tone for a festive month of cricketing fireworks across UAE stadiums. With star-studded squads, huge fanbases, and intense franchise rivalries, DP World ILT20 Season 4 is shaping up to be the biggest edition yet.

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