The Desert Vipers opened their DP World ILT20 Development Tournament campaign stunningly, pulling off a nail-biting one-wicket victory against the Dubai Capitals at the ICC Academy. The contest went right down to the last ball, with impact player Taimoor Ali holding his nerve to deliver a dramatic finish.

Dubai Capitals post 210/6

Batting first, the Capitals piled on a challenging 210 for six, setting up what looked like a match-winning total. But the Vipers’ bowlers struck at crucial stages, with UAE all-rounder Ali Naseer starring with the ball. He claimed 4 for 28 in four overs, applying the brakes to the scoring in the middle overs.

Vipers’ chase led by Suri, Keswani and Ali

In reply, Vipers captain and wicketkeeper-batter Tanish Suri gave his side a solid start, compiling a fluent 35 off 25 balls. The chase stayed alive thanks to a quick cameo from Nilansh Keswani, who smashed 22 off just nine deliveries, including two huge sixes.

But the decisive moment came with the arrival of Taimoor Ali as an impact player. Walking in with the game in the balance, Ali unleashed a stunning counterattack, blasting an unbeaten 59 off 28 balls, featuring two fours and six sixes. His clean hitting turned the tide, as the Vipers steadily closed in on the target.

Final-ball drama

The game came down to the wire, with the Vipers needing runs off the final delivery. Ali, calm under pressure, finished the job to secure victory by just one wicket, sparking wild celebrations in the Vipers’ dugout.

What’s next

The ILT20 Development Tournament runs until 3 September, with the final also set to be staged at the ICC Academy. Beyond the immediate silverware, the tournament serves as a crucial platform for UAE talent, giving players the chance to break into DP World ILT20 franchises, the UAE national team, and other global T20 leagues.

The Desert Vipers will be buoyed by their thrilling opening win, while the Dubai Capitals will be left ruing missed chances in a game that went down as one of the most exciting finishes of the competition so far.

Match Scorecard

Dubai Capitals – 210/6 (20 overs)

• Other contributions: The Team posted a strong total with partnerships across the order
• Best bowler (Vipers): Ali Naseer – 4/28 (4 overs)

Desert Vipers – 211/9 (20 overs)

• Taimoor Ali – 59 (28 balls, 2 fours, 6 sixes)*
• Tanish Suri – 35 (25 balls)
• Nilansh Keswani – 22 (9 balls, 2 sixes)
• Won by 1 wicket (off the final ball)

Result: Desert Vipers won by 1 wicket

Abu Dhabi Police have issued an urgent warning to motorists and residents after a scam message began circulating online, tricking people into believing they have a traffic violation.

The fake alert misuses an official police logo and provides a link to “check” the violation. But instead of leading to a government website, the link redirects to a hacker-controlled page operated by fraudsters in an Asian country. Victims risk losing personal data, banking details, and even money from their accounts.

Where the scam is spreading

According to police, the fraudulent link is being widely shared on WhatsApp, email, TikTok, Facebook, and X (Twitter).

The warning message being circulated online reads:

“Beware of any electronic message claiming you have a traffic fine and asking you to click a link to verify. These links are fake and run by scammers impersonating official websites.”

Why police are raising the alarm

• Fraudsters exploit fake advertisements and misleading links to steal financial and personal data.
• The bogus websites are designed to look like official portals but are in fact controlled by hackers.
• Scammers harvest bank details, passwords, and security codes once users enter their information.

How to protect yourself

• Verify the source: Open links only if you are 100% sure they are genuine.
• Don’t share sensitive info: Never type your banking or personal details into suspicious links.
• Use official apps only: Stick to government applications on the App Store or Google Play.
• Enable two-step verification: Turn on 2FA for accounts like WhatsApp to stay safe.

What to do if you’re targeted

If you receive such a link or suspect fraud, report it immediately through:

• Aman Service hotline: 8002626
• SMS: 2828
• Email: aman@adpolice.gov.ae
• Abu Dhabi Police Smart App

Abu Dhabi Police reminded the public to remain vigilant online: “Do not click suspicious links. Protect your data, protect your money.”

Dubai has announced the launch of the Dubai Centre for Judicial Expertise, an initiative guided by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The move marks a major step in strengthening the emirate’s judicial framework and reinforcing confidence in its legal system.

The new centre will provide courts with accredited experts from both the UAE and abroad, all working under unified standards for appointment, supervision, and performance evaluation. Officials said the establishment of the centre will ensure greater accuracy in expert reports, speed up case resolutions, and contribute to the development of highly skilled Emirati talent in specialised fields.

Strengthening Dubai’s global standing

Authorities emphasised that the initiative will not only enhance the quality of judicial processes but also support Dubai’s position as a leading global hub for living, working, and investing. By standardising expert services and expanding specialised expertise, the emirate aims to deliver fairer, faster, and more transparent judicial outcomes.

Key objectives of the Centre

• Support Dubai’s judicial authorities with qualified national and international experts.
• Improve the quality and efficiency of expert reports to enable accurate rulings and timely case resolution.
• Train and develop specialised Emirati cadres across diverse fields of expertise.
• Establish unified standards and procedures for the appointment, supervision, and evaluation of experts.
• Build strong local and international partnerships for knowledge-sharing and expertise exchange.

Core functions

The Dubai Centre for Judicial Expertise will:

• Receive and process requests from judicial authorities, appointing specialised experts tailored to each case.
• Create an integrated legislative framework to govern expert work before Dubai courts, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and transparency in reports.
• Strengthen litigants’ trust in the judicial system by reinforcing the credibility of expert testimony.

The initiative is part of Dubai’s wider efforts to align its judicial system with global best practices while maintaining efficiency, integrity, and innovation at its core.