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New York await winner of Texas and California in US Masters T10 finale
Richard Levi, left, and Misbah-ul-Haq put New York Warriors New York Warriors in the final with their batting display. Saikat Das / USM T10
New York Warriors became the first team to reach the US Masters T10 League final after defeating California Knights by eight wickets in the Qualifier 1 at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida, on Saturday.
The Knights get a second chance to make the summit clash if they win against Texas Chargers, who beat Morrisville Unity by eight wickets in the Eliminator. The Qualifier 2 and the finale will be played on Sunday along with a celebrity match preceding the trophy clash.
New York Warriors will be rested more after they restricted California to 96/4 in their 10 overs early in the day before chasing down their target in 8.4 overs. Opening batsmen Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kamran Akmal fell early in the innings as the Warriors were reduced to 28/2 in 3.3 overs. However, Misbah-ul-Haq brought the momentum towards his team’s side through a six and a boundary off Devendra Bishoo’s bowling in the sixth over.
Levi also upped the ante in the next over as he smashed Krishmar Santokie for a four and a six in the seventh over. Levi (47 not out, 24 balls) and Misbah (29, 13b) eventually took their side over the line with eight balls to spare.
Is this the shot that swung the game in favour of New York Warriors⁉️#NYWvCAK #USMastersT10 #CricketsFastestFormat #SunshineStarsSixes #T10League pic.twitter.com/0DdbRxjxtS
— US Masters T10 (@USMastersT10) August 26, 2023
California Knights won the toss and chose to bat first. Jacques Kallis and Aaron Finch got the Knights off to a flying start with a flurry of boundaries. The duo continued to find boundaries and sixes on a regular basis and took the Knights’ score to 60/1 in 5.5 overs. However, the Warriors picked up four wickets in quick succession and restricted the Knights to 96/4 in their 10 overs.
Hafeez stars for Texas
The day was good for another former Pakistan captain. Mohammad ‘Professor’ Hafeez was in sublime form with the bat as he played a blinder for Texas Chargers in defeating Morrisville Unity in the Eliminator. Texas won with nine balls remaining.
Batting first, the Morrisville Unity lost Jonathan Foo (9) early on, but had Shehan Jayasuriya and Obus Pienaar kick on. The duo scored at a quick pace and put on a 42-run stand before Jayasuriya was castled for 21, just before the midway point.
Mohammad Hafeez of Texas Chargers scored a brisk half-century. US Masters T10
Pienaar and Corey Anderson took the score to 88/2 after seven overs with a brisk display. They put on a half-century stand and eventually finished with 115/5. Pienaar reached his fifty while Anderson was out for 22.
In response, Hafeez and Mukhtar Ahmed gave Texas a flying start. Hafeez got stuck into Sreesanth’s second over and smashed two sixes and three fours, as Texas came out charging. At the halfway stage, the Chargers needed 34 more to win. Hafeez completed his fifty in the sixth over, and in the next over, the openers reached the century stand.
Right after, Hafeez was dismissed for 57 and Ahmed for 47, both by Navin Stewart, slowing down the Chargers a bit. Nonetheless, it was up to Ben Dunk after that and he smashed two sixes to wrap up the contest.
Brief scores:
Morrisville Unity 115/5 (Obus Pienaar 51, Corey Anderson 22; Thisara Perera 4/17, Imran Khan 1/17) lost by 8 wickets to Texas Chargers 119/2 (Mohammad Hafeez 57, Mukhtar Ahmed 47; Navin Ahmed 2/3)
New York Warriors 97/2 (Richard Levi 47*, Misbah-ul-Haq 29*, Devendra Bishoo 1/17) beat California Knights 96/4 (Aaron Finch 42, Jacques Kallis 29, Umaid Asif 2/18) by 8 wickets.
The UAE-Oman railway project, officially known as Hafeet Rail, has reached 40 % completion, marking a major milestone in one of the region’s most ambitious transport initiatives.
Once operational, the cross-border rail line will connect Abu Dhabi with Sohar in just 1 hour and 40 minutes, while journeys from Al Ain to Sohar will take only 47 minutes.
First modern cross-border train in the region
Announced in 2023, the project is a joint venture between Oman Rail, Etihad Rail, and Mubadala.
Spanning 303km, the railway will be the first modern cross-border train in the Arab world, carrying both passengers and cargo between the UAE and Oman.
Route and speed
The line will run from the UAE’s existing rail network in Al Wathba to Sohar’s port, passing through varied terrain including deserts, valleys, and mountains alongside Jebel Hafeet.
- Train speed: up to 200 km/h
- Route length (main section): approx. 238km
- Travel time: significantly reduced between key cities
Major engineering works
The project includes:
- 2,500m of tunnels through mountainous terrain
- 21 overbridges and 39 underpasses
- Viaducts and bridges to ensure smooth, uninterrupted rail flow
These features will help maintain efficient travel across challenging landscapes.
Freight services between nations
Beyond passenger travel, Hafeet Rail is expected to create an integrated logistics network, strengthening trade and economic ties between the UAE and Oman. Freight locomotives will be used to power cargo services across the network, helping to strengthen regional logistics, trade flows, and supply chain efficiency between the two Gulf countries.
The project is valued at around $3 billion and is expected to play a major role in enhancing connectivity and economic integration across the region.
While construction is progressing across multiple locations, no official completion date has yet been announced.
His Highness Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has announced the launch of the Dubai Metro Gold Line, a major new infrastructure project set to expand the emirate’s transport network.
The 24-kilometre line, with an estimated cost of Dh 34 billion, will pass through 15 key strategic areas, serving around 1.5 million residents and connecting to 55 major real estate developments currently under construction.
Key route and connectivity
The new line will run from Al Ghubaiba in the north to Jumeirah Golf Estates, linking historic and emerging parts of the city.
- Total stations: 18
- Fully underground line
- Intersections with existing Red and Green Metro Lines
- Integration with Etihad Rail passenger stations in Meydan and Jumeirah Golf Estates
Boost to metro network
The Gold Line will increase the Dubai Metro’s overall length by 25%, significantly improving connectivity across the city.
The project is scheduled for completion on September 9, 2032.
Sheikh Mohammed said the project is part of Dubai’s ongoing ambition to become the world’s best city to live in, with continued investment in infrastructure and mobility.
The new line is expected to play a key role in reducing congestion, improving travel times, and supporting urban growth across Dubai.
Inside the UAE-Oman Hafeet Rail project now 40% complete
New Dubai Metro Gold Line to expand network by 25%
