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India have edge in Dubai, says Shami, as final tickets vanish in two hours

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India’s ace fast bowlerMohammed Shami has openly acknowledged that playing all their matches in Dubai has given his side a crucial edge in the ICC Champions Trophy – a viewpoint that stands in stark contrast to the rebuttals issued by captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Shami, India’s standout bowler in the tournament with eight wickets from four matches, admitted that being stationed at a single venue has played in the team’s favour.

“It has definitely helped us because we know the conditions and the behaviour of the pitch,” Shami said after India’s semi-final victory over Australia in Dubai.

 “It is a plus point that you are playing all the matches at one venue. The main thing is to gauge the conditions and know how the pitch behaves because you are playing at one venue and you can get to know it well.”

However, Gambhir was quick to dismiss suggestions that India have benefited from an unfair advantage. Responding to criticism from certain past and present players, the former opener did not mince his words.

“I know there’s a lot of debate about the undue advantage. But what is an undue advantage? First of all, this is as much of a neutral venue for us as it is for any other team. I don’t remember the last time we played a tournament at this stadium,” Gambhir told the media.

“We haven’t even trained here – we’ve been at the ICC Academy, where the conditions are completely different. Some people are just perpetual cribbers. So, I feel we didn’t have any undue advantage.”

Controversy over venue

Under the Hybrid Model introduced for the tournament, India have played all their matches in Dubai, including the semi-final and upcoming final, while the rest of the competition has been split across three venues in Pakistan. Critics argue that this has spared India the fatigue of travel and allowed them to capitalise on the spin-friendly surfaces at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Sold-out finals

Meanwhile, the clamour for final tickets reached a fever pitch, with all seats for the game on March 9 selling out within just two hours. The Dubai International Cricket Stadium, with a capacity of 25,000, has seen near-full attendance for India’s matches.

Unsurprisingly, India’s passionate fan base in the UAE has ensured an energetic atmosphere at every fixture, further strengthening their sense of home advantage. As the final looms, the debate over whether this has tilted the tournament in India’s favour is unlikely to subside any time soon.

(Source: News18, ETV)

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

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DP World ILT20 donates tournament gear to children in Madagascar through Gulf for Good partnership

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The DP World International League T20 (ILT20) is extending its impact well beyond the cricket pitch, to Madagascar, where children are now proudly wearing official ILT20 merchandise from last season, thanks to a charitable partnership with Gulf for Good, a UAE-based non-profit.

As part of its CSR initiative, the ILT20 has donated over 500 pieces of branded merchandise to children in need through Gulf for Good’s Outreach Programme. The initiative is part of a broader effort to support education and community development projects around the world, with over 2,000 children expected to benefit in the long run.

“This initiative is all about making a small contribution to a much bigger cause,” said David White, CEO of DP World ILT20.
“We’re proud to call the UAE our home, a country that is globally recognised for its generosity. As the region’s biggest cricket league, we are committed to making a positive impact beyond the field.”

Looking ahead: ILT20 Season 4 set for UAE National Day launch

The DP World ILT20 Season 4 will return in style this winter, kicking off with a blockbuster opening on UAE National Day (December 2) and wrapping up with the grand final on January 4, 2026. The six-team, 34-match tournament continues to grow in popularity, drawing international stars and thousands of fans from across the region.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket applications to open on September 10

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Football fans, mark your calendars: FIFA has announced that the first ticket application phase for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will open on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

The tournament, set to be the biggest FIFA World Cup ever, will be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches.

With demand expected to be massive, FIFA is urging fans around the world to pre-register at FIFA.com/tickets and create a FIFA ID now to be ready for the draw.

“These will be the most coveted seats in world sport,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “We’re excited to welcome the world back to North America for what will be the greatest sporting event ever.”

Key tournament dates

  • Opening match: Thursday, June 11, 2026 Mexico City
  • Final match: Sunday, July 19, 2026 – New York/New Jersey

The announcement follows the success of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, also hosted in the U.S., which drew nearly 2.5 million fans across 11 cities, a strong preview of what fans can expect in 2026.

What fans can expect

  • 48 national teams competing
  • Matches across 3 countries and multiple cities
  • 6.5 million fans expected to attend
  • First ticket draw opens September 10, 2025

Whether you’re planning a summer trip or simply want to be part of football history, now’s the time to act. Register your interest and get ready to secure your place for what’s set to be a truly unforgettable tournament

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Jannik Sinner triumphs over adversity to win first Wimbledon Title

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Jannik Sinner made history on Sunday by defeating Carlos Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to claim his first Wimbledon title, becoming Italy’s first-ever singles champion at the All England Club. The 23-year-old world No. 1 overcame months of personal and professional challenges to lift his fourth Grand Slam trophy and his first since returning from a doping-related ban.

Sinner’s victory marks a remarkable comeback after a turbulent start to the year. Though he won the Australian Open in January, his career was briefly clouded by controversy when he tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol. Tennis authorities later cleared Sinner of fault, stating the substance entered his system via a massage cream applied by a member of his support team. Despite the ruling, he served a voluntary three-month suspension imposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), returning to competition in May.

“Very emotional, even if I don’t cry,” Sinner told reporters after his win. “Only me and the people who are close to me know what we have been through on and off the court. It has been everything except easy.”

Sunday’s victory was especially sweet as it came just weeks after Sinner lost a heart-wrenching French Open final to Alcaraz, where he had three match points. The Wimbledon win also snapped a five-match losing streak against the Spaniard.

Sinner credited his team, including Australian coach Darren Cahill, for helping him regain focus and confidence.

“We’ve tried to push every practice session, even if I was struggling at times mentally,” he said. “I feel like when I play the match, I can switch off and just play. That helped me a lot.”

Cahill praised Sinner’s resilience, noting the Italian’s mental strength in overcoming the Roland Garros disappointment.

“You could see from his first match here that he wasn’t carrying any baggage from Paris. That’s not easy to do,” said Cahill. “For him to wipe that away and bring this mentality is 100% credit to him.”

Sinner himself reflected on the lessons learned in Paris, saying the loss made him more determined.

“I always tried to be honest with myself and to accept it,” he said. “If you lose a Grand Slam final that way, it’s much better than when someone just outplays you.”

With his Wimbledon win, Sinner cements his place among tennis’s elite, proving that mental fortitude can be just as crucial as physical talent in the journey to greatness.

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