The third season of the DP World International League T20 is on the horizon with the star West Indies batter Nicholas Pooran among the players preparing to dazzle as the MI Emirates get their title defence underway on Saturday, 11 January in Dubai. The tournament’s growing reputation for competitiveness and its role as a platform for UAE players to develop have captured the attention of cricket fans globally. Pooran, who led MI Emirates to glory in the previous season, is determined to make an impact once again.

Sharing his thoughts on the season ahead, Pooran remarked, “It’s nice to be back for the third season of the DP World ILT20. We’re really looking forward to this season. We’re hoping to do our best again this year and try to retain the title, but there’s a lot of hard work ahead for me and the team to make that happen.”

Reflecting on the competition’s intensity, the explosive left-hander added, “Each year, I feel the quality of the tournament keeps improving. The DP World ILT20 is doing a better job every single year. I think competitiveness is important and it feels like international cricket with nine overseas players and two UAE guys.”

Pooran also acknowledged the role of the DP World ILT20 in nurturing cricketing talent in the UAE. “Tournaments like this are crucial for developing UAE cricketers as well. It’s a fantastic opportunity for them to learn from some of the best in the business,” he noted.
As the second highest run scorer last season, Pooran struck 31 sixes, amassing 354 runs in ten innings at an enviable average of 50.57 and a strike rate of 170. On replicating his performance in the new campaign, he opined, “It’s obviously challenging.

Every year, every competition brings new challenges. Going into this season, preparation begins over the Christmas period. I’m working on getting my body back in shape, hitting a lot of balls, and getting my mind in the right place. When January comes, hopefully, I’ll have some luck on my side. You play each game on its merit—every game is a new opportunity, and it’s about doing what the team needs. So, let’s see how the new season goes.”

Another standout performer from MI Emirates last season was UAE’s Muhammad Waseem, whose aggressive batting saw him finish as the fourth-highest run-scorer in the tournament (DP World ILT20 Season 1 and Season 2 Blue Belt Winner – Best UAE Player). Waseem tallied 321 runs in 12 innings, showcasing his flair and consistency. Pooran praised the opener, highlighting him as an example of UAE’s cricketing potential.

“There are a lot of talented players in the UAE. I’ve played with Waseem over the years, and he has been incredible right from when he got his chance. He seized that opportunity, and he’s been brilliant for us with MI in both seasons. He’s one of my favourites, for sure. I hope he continues to do great things for himself and his family,” Pooran stated.

Signing off with a message to the fans, the 29-year-old expressed his gratitude, saying, “We have passionate fans, not just here but in India and across the world. Hopefully, we can keep putting smiles on their faces and bring more titles to them.”
The third season of the DP World ILT20 will run from 11 January, to 9 February 2025

Some of the UAE’s best equestrian athletes will look to make history by becoming the first-ever winner of an FEI sanctioned eventing competition in Dubai when the ‘FEI WEC – Category A and National’ one-day competition is held at the Emirates Equestrian Centre (EEC) on Saturday.

The inaugural event is being organised and sponsored by the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation with the intention of providing opportunities to Emirati riders, while getting them the necessary points to qualify for the international stage, with the Olympic Games as the ultimate target.

Eventing has been part of the Olympics’ schedule since the 1912 Stockholm Games and the maiden championship shows the UAE’s ambition in wanting to secure more spots for its athletes at the quadrennial games. A Category A event is considered a top tier preparatory or qualifier competition designed to prepare athletes for the first levels of FEI competitions and is open to equestrian athletes aged 14 and above.Organisers are expecting a healthy turnout with this first-of-its kind event promising to set the standards nationwide for competitive eventing, which consists of a combination of the three major equestrian events of jumping, dressage and cross country, blending athleticism with artistry and precision, whilst celebrating the synergy between horse and rider.

According to the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), eventing “is truly a complete sport that tests both the horse and rider in all ADM Restricted (Internal) (‌مقيد (داخلي‌))‌ aspects of horsemanship, and one of the three Olympic disciplines”. Commenting on the inaugural edition of the competition, Ali Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer and Dubai Racing Club board member, which manages the EEC, said: “This is the start of something really big and we look forward to hosting this event as it gives our equestrian athletes a change to perform on the world stage.

“This is a really a great platform and we encourage our athletes to make the most of this opportunity. Eventing is a sport that we support fully as we hope to nurture the next generation of equine stars that will make the country proud.” Tahra Ahmad, manager at EEC, said: “This is a great way to promote the sport. Equestrian sport is very much an integral part of UAE culture and is steeped in the traditions of our country. We will do our very best to ensure the event is worthy of its status. We would like to wish all those participating in this historic event all the very best.”

The highly anticipated 2024 Lanka T10 Super League is set to commence on December 11 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, marking a new chapter in Sri Lankan cricket. The tournament, featuring six dynamic franchises, will showcase an exciting brand of cricket at the picturesque venue in Kandy. The tournament organizers have officially unveiled the complete squad lists for all six franchises, featuring an impressive mix of international stars and local talent.

The league has assembled an extraordinary roster of talent across all franchises. The Colombo Jaguars, under the guidance of legendary Sri Lankan bowler Chaminda Vaas as head coach, will feature top stars including former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews, alongside rising star Matheesha Pathirana, versatile Kamindu Mendis, Pakistan’s Asif Ali, and explosive opener Jason Roy. Galle Marvels, coached by the experienced Graham Ford, boasts a formidable lineup including spin wizard Maheesh Theekshana, explosive Bhanuka Rajapaksa, pace bowler Binura Fernando, and English star Alex Hales and Luke Wood. The Hambantota Bangla Tigers showcase their strength with Dasun Shanaka at the helm, supported by Shevon Daniel, local hero Kusal Janith Perera, and Afghanistan’s Hazratullah Zazai. Jaffna Titans, under the strategic leadership of James Foster, feature an impressive roster including the skilled Muhammad Amir, dynamic Kusal Mendis, versatile Charith Asalanka.

Kandy Bolts, coached by Sachith Pathirana, bring together a stellar combination including the experienced Dinesh Chandimal, skilled opener Pathum Nissanka, and international talent George Munsey. Nuwara Eliya Kings, under the guidance of Julian Wood, round out the competition with a powerful lineup featuring Avishka Fernando, Saurabh Tiwary, pace bowler Kasun Rajitha, talented Dushan Hemantha, Kyle Mayers and Benny Howell.

The tournament’s opening day promises a spectacular triple-header at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on December 11th. The action begins at 4:00 PM local time (10:30 AM GMT) with Jaffna Titans taking on Hambantota Bangla Tigers in the tournament opener. The second match of the day will see Nuwara Eliya Kings face off against Colombo Jaguars at 6:15 PM local time (12:45 PM GMT), while the day concludes with an exciting clash between Kandy Bolts and Galle Marvels at 8:30 PM local time (15:00 GMT). The fast-paced T10 format is expected to deliver thrilling encounters and showcase the evolution of cricket in the region.

The complete squad lists for all franchises are as follows:
Colombo Jaguars: Angelo Mathews (captain), Dan Lawrence, Matheesha Pathirana, Kamindu Mendis, Asif Ali, Jason Roy, Akila Dhananjaya, Angelo Perera, Najibullah Zadran, Ali Khan, Isitha Wijesundara, Ramesh Mendis, Rony Talukdar, Ranuda Somarathne, Ryan Kamwemba, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madhushanka, Garuka Sanketh and support staff including Head Coach Chaminda Vaas.

Galle Marvels: Maheesh Theekshana, Shakib Al Hasan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Binura Fernando, Alex Hales, Luke Wood, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Jeffrey Vandersay, Andre Fletcher, Zahoor Khan, Sandun Weerakkody, Prabath Jayasuriya, Kesrick Williams, Dumindu Sewmina, Sadisha Rajapaksa and supporting staff including Head Coach Graham Ford.
Hambantota Bangla Tigers: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Shevon Daniel, Kusal Janith Perera, Dushmantha Chameera, Hazratullah Zazai, Richard Gleeson, Isuru Udana, Tharindu Ratnayake, Karim Janat, Mohammad Shahzad, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Nishan Peirichuges, Chamath Gomez, Sahan Arachchige and team staff

Jaffna Titans: Wanindu Hasaranga (captain), Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, David Weise, Muhammad Amir, Nuwan Thushara, Dunith Wellalage, Dwaine Pretorius, Tom Abell, Pramod Madushan, Pavan Rathnayake, George Garton, Traveen Mathew, Kevin Wickham including Head Coach James Foster and supporting staff.

Kandy Bolts: Thisara Perera (captain), Imad Wasim, Dinesh Chandimal, Pathum Nissanka, George Munsey, Milinda Siriwardana, Chathuranga de Silva, Amir Hamza Hotak, Shehan Jayasuriya, Chamika Gunasekara, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Danal Hemananda, Arinesto Vezha, Seekkuge Prasanna including Head Coach Sachith Pathirana and support personnel.

Nuwara Eliya Kings: Avishka Fernando, Saurabh Tiwary, Kasun Rajitha, Dushan Hemantha, Kyle Mayers, Benny Howell, Danushka Gunathilaka, Lahiru Madushanka, Aftab Alam, Nimsara Atharagalla, Yashodha Lanka, Umar Akmal, Vishen Halambage, Rivaldo Clarke, Chamika Karunaratne, Pulindu Perera and team management including Head Coach Julian Wood.

Note to Editor:

The 2024 Lanka T10 Super League is an exhilarating 10-over cricket format, proudly organized and endorsed by Sri Lanka Cricket in collaboration with a consortium of industry leaders: T Ten Sports Management FZC (TSM), T Ten Global Sports FZE (TGS), and Innovative Production Group (IPG). Together, they are shaping the future of T10 cricket in Sri Lanka.