Sports

Gulf Giants rally to stun Dubai Capitals by 19 runs – ARN News Centre

Published

2 years ago

February 7, 2024

Staff Reporter

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Gulf Giants, through an exhibition of superb teamwork and resilience, fought tooth and nail to defend a meagre total of 126 for 9 in 20 overs and pull off a 19-run win over Dubai Capitals in the 24th match of the DP World ILT20 season 2 at the Dubai International Stadium.

This was the lowest total defended in the history of this tournament.

UAE’s 18-year-old left-arm spinner Aayan Afzal Khan bagged two wickets at a crucial stage of the match while his skipper James Vince produced two run outs to derail Capitals’ chase towards the easy target. Dasun Shanaka pushed Capitals closer to the target through an unbeaten 24 but last man Haider Ali became the third batter to fall for a run out. Capitals were thus bowled out for 107 in 18.3 overs.

Capitals’ Olly Stone (4 for 14) and Scott Kuggeleijn (3 for 29) ran through Giants’ batting line-up with a lethal combination of accurate pace and judicious use of slower deliveries to restrict Giants to 126 for 9 in 20 overs. The Gulf Giants were reeling at 17 for 4 at one stage but were lifted out of disaster by skipper Vince (32) and Shimron Hetmyer (34) through a 51-runs partnership for the fifth wicket in 42 balls.

Capitals made a mess of the ride towards the target losing both their openers for 30 runs. The first to go was their skipper and opener David Warner for 11 caught by Chris Jordan at mid-off to Jamie Overton, followed by opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz who was caught by Jordan at long on off Blessing Muzarabani for 15. When Jordan clean bowled Sam Billings for 12 and Gerhard Erasmus too clean bowled Max Holden for 7, the target looked unreachable.

All hopes now rested on Ben Dunk and Sikandar Raza. However, they could add only 19 runs between themselves before Dunk got run out to a direct hit from Vince from cover for 13. Aayan Khan clean bowled Raza for 10 to light up their hopes of a victory. Vince also ran out Kuggeleijn when he raced for a single that was not there.

Earlier, Capitals, placed fifth in the points table, won the toss and elected to bowl against third placed Gulf Giants. Opener Jamie Smith got out to the third ball of the second over from Kuggeleijn offering an easy catch to Shanaka at cover for 9. Stone struck twice in the third over. He first removed their consistent batter Chris Lynn for 1, brilliantly caught by Kuggeleijn who ran in from deep square leg and took a diving catch. With the next ball, he clean bowled Jordan Cox with a delivery that nipped back to hit the stumps.

Gerhard Erasmus too became another victim to Kuggeleijn following a sliding diving catch by Richardson at mid-wicket, for 2. Giants were left tottering at 17 for 4 in 3.4 overs.

Hetmyer, with unbeaten knocks of 40 and 53 from his previous two matches, joined his skipper and opener Vince. They steered the score past the 50-run mark in nine overs mainly through big hits from Hetmyer. Sikandar Raza would have gotten Hetmyer out for 23 had the ball not popped out of his hand to a return catch. However, Vince wasn’t equally lucky as his slog sweep took a top edge and landed up being caught and bowled by Haider Ali for 32. This also ended their fighting partnership.

Aayan Khan joined Hetmyer and added another 23 runs before Khan retired out for 10. Stone removed the danger man Hetmyer, caught by Kuggeleijn at long on for 34 in the 16th over for his third wicket. Kuggeleijn too picked his third wicket by getting Chris Jordan caught by Akif Raja at fine leg for 7. Stone then clean bowled Jamie Overton for 1. Dominic Drakes’ unbeaten 24 runs in 12 balls with three sixes and one boundary ensured Giants a total of over 120 runs.

James Vince, the player of the match and skipper of Giants said: “We went in knowing we could win but knew it was tough. Run-outs and catches we needed, and the bowlers did really well. There was a bit of spin, and a tiny bit of swing for the pacers. The two-paced wicket made it hard to commit early on to the shots. We knew we had to take early wickets, and we took 3 in the powerplay.”

Losing captain Warner said: “Our bowling unit did exceptionally well and to restrict them to 126 was a phenomenal effort. They bowled well, but we lost wickets in clumps and that’s been the trend for us throughout this tournament.”

Brief scores:

Gulf Giants bt Dubai Capitals by 19 runs. Gulf Giants 126 for 9 in 20 overs (James Vince 32, Shimron Hetmyer 34, Scott Kuggeleijn 3 for 29, Olly Stone 4 for 14) Dubai Capitals 107 in 18.3 overs (Dasun Shanaka 24n.o, Aayan Afzal Khan 2 for 8)

Player of the Match: James Vince

DP World ILT20: MI Emirates bounce back in style as Farooqi, Bairstow lead the charge

Published

23 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Michael Gomes

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MI Emirates delivered a clinical all-round performance to seal a convincing seven-wicket victory over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20, with left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi and opener Jonny Bairstow leading the charge.

Farooqi was the standout performer with the ball, ripping through ADKR’s top order with a superb 4-for that never allowed the hosts to settle. His early breakthroughs set the tone for MI Emirates as ADKR struggled to build momentum, eventually posting a below-par total.

Chasing the target, MI Emirates showed confidence from the outset. Bairstow anchored the innings with a composed, unbeaten 49, mixing clean hitting with smart rotation of strike. His calm presence ensured the chase stayed on track, while contributions from the middle order helped wrap up the match with plenty of balls to spare.

The win marks MI Emirates’ third victory of the season and a timely boost to their campaign. For ADKR, the search for consistency continues as they look to bounce back in their next outing.

With form on their side and key players stepping up, MI Emirates will be eyeing another strong showing when they return to action later this week.

Brief Scores:
MI Emirates beat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by seven wickets

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 122 in 19.3 overs (Alishan Sharafu 38, Sunil Narine 26, Fazalhaq Farooqi 4 for 14, Kamindu Mendis 3 for 21)

MI Emirates 123/3 in 13.5 overs (Jonny Bairstow 49, Tom Banton 29, Muhammad Waseem 27, Jason Holder 1 for 11, Ajay Kumar 1 for 30)

Player of the match: Kamindu Mendis

Sports

Dubai Basketball takes on Bayern Munich in blockbuster EuroLeague showdown this Friday

Published

2 days ago

December 11, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Dubai Basketball fans, get ready, because one of the biggest names in global sport is coming to town.

Dubai’s first-ever professional basketball franchise will hit the court against FC Bayern Munich at the Coca-Cola Arena on Friday, December 12. And they’re stepping into the game with some serious momentum, riding a 10-game unbeaten streak at home across both the EuroLeague and the ABA League.

After a strong debut season in the ABA League, where they powered their way to the playoff semi-finals, Dubai Basketball is now competing in the EuroLeague for the very first time.

For anyone new to it, the EuroLeague is Europe’s top-tier basketball competition, featuring 20 elite teams from 10 countries, all battling it out through a high-speed, high-intensity season that ends with the iconic Final Four showdown.

Big stage, big opponent, big moment for Dubai. Game on.

Sports

DP World ILT20: Desert Vipers beat MI Emirates by one run in last-ball thriller

Published

3 days ago

December 10, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Cricket fans at the Zayed Cricket Stadium were treated to a nail-biting finish on Tuesday night as the Desert Vipers edged MI Emirates by just one run in a dramatic DP World ILT20 Season 4 clash.

The victory marked the Vipers’ fourth straight win of the season, keeping them firmly at the top of the points table with eight points.

Payne Turns the Game on Its Head

Defending a total of 159, the Vipers found themselves under pressure until David Payne delivered a match-winning 19th over, picking up three crucial wickets to completely swing momentum. Payne finished with sensational figures of 4 for 29 and was named Player of the Match.

He was well supported by UAE pacer Khuzaima Tanveer, who took 2 for 34, as the Vipers held their nerve in the dying moments.

MI Emirates needed 16 runs from the final over, and Rashid Khan nearly pulled off the chase with a six and a four. However, the batting side fell two runs short on the very last ball, sealing a heartbreaking defeat.

MI Emirates Fight Hard in the Chase

Chasing 160, MI Emirates lost Jonny Bairstow early, but Muhammad Waseem (24) and Tom Banton (34) rebuilt the innings with a steady partnership. Later, Nicholas Pooran (31) joined Banton to keep the chase alive.

Kieron Pollard, leading the side, added a quick 23 off 13 balls and looked dangerous before being dismissed by Payne in the penultimate over, a moment that proved crucial.

Solid Start with the Bat for Vipers

Earlier, the Vipers got off to a strong start thanks to Fakhar Zaman (35) and Andries Gous (21). After Gous retired hurt, Zaman added 51 runs with Max Holden (42) to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Late contributions from Shimron Hetmyer (15), Sam Curran (19) and Dan Lawrence (15 not out) helped the Vipers reach a competitive 159 for 4.

For MI Emirates, young spinner Allah Ghazanfar impressed with 2 for 32, while Fazalhaq Farooqi also chipped in with a wicket.

David Payne, Player of the Match, said: “It went right down to the wire, and it was entertaining for everyone watching. We kept things simple, hit the right areas, and that made the difference.”

MI Emirates captain Kieron Pollard reflected: “We didn’t finish the innings well in the last couple of overs. In cricket, momentum can change quickly, and that’s exactly what happened tonight.”