Sports

Shai Hope’s Heroic Ton Fell Short as MI Emirates Secure 26-Run Victory

Published

1 year ago

January 13, 2025

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Abu Dhabi, January 13, 2025: MI Emirates clinched a convincing 26-run victory against the Dubai Capitals in their opening game of the DP World ILT20 season at Zayed Cricket Stadium on Monday evening. Stellar half-centuries from Tom Banton and Nicholas Pooran, combined with key bowling performances, propelled the Emirates side to a decisive win.

Despite a breathtaking 101 off 59 balls from Shai Hope, his valiant effort wasn’t enough to rescue the Dubai Capitals. Fazalhaq Farooqi’s game-changing over, where he claimed two wickets for just three runs, proved pivotal in tilting the match firmly in MI Emirates’ favor.

Chasing a challenging target of 188, the Capitals began with a spin gamble as Akeal Hosein took the new ball for MI Emirates. Although a dropped catch by Waqar Salamkheil in the third over gave Hope an early reprieve, it didn’t stop Alzarri Joseph from dismissing Ben Dunk in the powerplay. Hope, undeterred, carried the Capitals’ innings with authority, reaching his half-century in just 32 balls.

Hope and Brandon McMullen forged a 61-run stand for the second wicket before McMullen fell to a stumping off Salamkheil. Hope powered on, smashing AM Ghazanfar for a six and a four to complete his second T20 career century—a first for a Dubai Capitals player and only the third in DP World ILT20 history. However, his dismissal on the very next ball triggered a collapse.

Farooqi’s precision bowling dismantled the Capitals’ chase as he delivered two toe-crushing yorkers to dismiss Sikandar Raza and Dasun Shanaka in back to back succession. Zahoor Khan then tightened the screws with a miserly 19th over, leaving the Capitals needing an improbable 36 runs in the final over. Ultimately, the Capitals managed just 161-6 in their 20 overs.

Earlier in the match, MI Emirates overcame an early blow as Dushmantha Chameera bowled Kusal Perera with the very first ball of the game. Tom Banton’s 74 off 52 balls and Nicholas Pooran’s explosive 59 off just 29 deliveries anchored the Emirates’ innings.

Banton, who weathered the initial pressure, brought up his fifty with a massive six and continued to build momentum. Pooran’s power-hitting stole the show during the 15th over, where he hammered Olly Stone for three consecutive sixes before falling while attempting a fourth. Late contributions from Kieron Pollard and Romario Shepherd ensured MI Emirates reached 187-7 in their allotted 20 overs.

Post-Match Reactions

Reflecting on the game, Shai Hope expressed mixed emotions: “A hundred always feels a lot sweeter when you’re on the winning side. It’s unfortunate I couldn’t take the team over the line. The pitch played well, and we did a good job to restrict them under 200, but we fell short with the bat.”

Player of the Match Tom Banton was pleased with his contribution: “It was tricky at the start, but we knew someone had to bat through the innings. I’ve played a lot of cricket here, and the wickets are always good. It’s my first year here, and I’m glad I could step up today.”

Score Summary:

MI Emirates 187-7 in 20 overs (Tom Banton 74, Nicholas Pooran 59, Gulbadin Naib 3-27)
Dubai Capitals 161-6 in 20 overs (Shai Hope 101, Fazalhaq Farooqi 2-22)

With this emphatic win, MI Emirates have set a strong tone for the season, while Dubai Capitals will look to regroup and bounce back in their next encounter.

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Related Topics:#dpworldilt20 #dpworldilt20season3 abudhabi abudhabicricket cricket uae dpworld ILT20 ilt20uae Nicholas Pooran shai hope tom banton

Aman Motwani

Sports

DP World ILT20 Season 4 shatters records with 397 million viewers and 2.5 billion video views

Published

2 days ago

April 10, 2026

Michael Gomes

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The DP World International League T20 (ILT20) has officially cemented its status as a global cricket powerhouse. Following the conclusion of Season 4, new data reveals the league has tightened its grip as the second-most watched cricket league in the world, reaching a staggering 397 million unique viewers across TV and OTT platforms.

This represents a 7.49% increase over Season 3, fuelled by expansive broadcast syndication and the maiden title victory of the Desert Vipers on January 4, 2026.

Digital dominance: 2.5 billion views

While the TV numbers are impressive, the league’s digital footprint saw an even more explosive surge. DP World ILT20 platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, amassed over 2.5 billion video views during the season.

“This season we have further strengthened our position… with significant gains across all platforms,” said David White, CEO of DP World ILT20.

“Our digital content, focusing on both high-stakes action and off-field fan engagement, has truly resonated with a global audience.”

Season 4 statistical highlights

Global Reach: 397 million unique viewers (7.49% YoY growth).
Viral Content: Over 350 social media posts surpassed the 1 million views mark.
Star Power: Features elite talent including Sam Curran (Player of the Tournament), Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran, and Shakib Al Hasan.

Joseph Eapen, Managing Partner at GSIQ, noted that for such a young tournament, achieving this level of international relevance is a “highly credible and noteworthy achievement.”

With Season 4 in the books, the league is already looking toward the future. Officials have confirmed that dates for Season 5 will be unveiled in the coming days, promising an even larger spectacle for cricket fans worldwide.

News

Dubai airport welcomes travellers with special Dubai World Cup passport stamp

Published

2 weeks ago

March 27, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Travellers arriving at Dubai International Airport are being greeted with a unique souvenir, a special stamp on their passports celebrating the Dubai World Cup 2026.

The initiative, launched by the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), marks the 30th edition (Pearl Jubilee) of one of the world’s most prestigious horse racing events.

A grand sporting celebration

The iconic Dubai World Cup will take place on Saturday, March 28 at Meydan Racecourse, drawing global attention from racing fans and elite stables.

This year’s event promises high-stakes action:

100 horses from top international stables
Nine races across the evening
Total prize pool of $30.5 million

Spotlight on the main race

The highlight of the night is the $12 million Dubai World Cup race, sponsored by Emirates Airline.

Run over 2,000 metres on dirt, the Group 1 race will feature some of the world’s top thoroughbreds, including:

“Hit Show” – last year’s winner
“Forever Young” – UAE Derby and Saudi Cup champion
“Imperial Emperor”
“Meidan” – Super Saturday winner

A memorable arrival experience

The commemorative passport stamp adds a celebratory touch for visitors landing in Dubai, tying their arrival to one of the city’s biggest sporting spectacles.

With excitement building ahead of race day, Dubai is once again showcasing its ability to blend world-class sport with unique visitor experiences.

News

Football superstar Erling Haaland invests in Norway Chess to launch global ‘Total Chess’ Championship Tour

Published

3 weeks ago

March 23, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Soccer superstar Erling Haaland has announced a major investment in Norway Chess, backing the launch of a new global competition format, the Total Chess World Championship Tour.

The initiative, unveiled in Oslo, aims to transform chess into a more spectator-friendly and widely accessible sport. Haaland has partnered with Norwegian business leader Morten Borge to establish a new company, Chess Mates, which will become a significant stakeholder in Norway Chess.

Haaland said his investment reflects a strong belief in chess as both a mental discipline and a global spectator sport.

“Chess is an incredible game. It sharpens your mind, and there are clear similarities to football. You have to think quickly, trust your instincts, and think several moves ahead,” he said.

The newly announced Total Chess World Championship Tour is set to feature four tournaments annually across different cities, bringing together the world’s top players. The competition will crown an overall world champion based on combined performance in three formats: Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz.

The tour has been approved by the International Chess Federation for a minimum of 16 years, underscoring its long-term ambition and significance within the global chess calendar.

A pilot tournament is scheduled for autumn 2026, with the first full season expected in 2027. Each season will include four events and offer a minimum prize pool of $2.7 million.

Kjell Madland, CEO of Norway Chess and Total Chess, welcomed Haaland’s involvement, describing it as a major step forward for the sport.

He said Haaland’s global influence and appeal would help attract new audiences and elevate the profile of chess worldwide, adding that preparations are now in the final stages to secure host cities for the inaugural tour.

With millions of fans worldwide, Haaland’s move into chess investment signals a growing crossover between elite sport and strategic mind games, potentially reshaping how chess is consumed and followed globally.