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“We’ll bounce back”: Jason Roy backs Royal Champs to turn season around in Abu Dhabi T10

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Royal Champs icon player Jason Roy remains confident his side can reignite their campaign at the 2025 Abu Dhabi T10, despite a challenging start to their debut season.

Roy, who struck 42 off 25 balls in Sunday’s seven-wicket defeat to the Ajman Titans, admitted the team has yet to find its rhythm but stressed that the squad possesses the talent and resolve to shift momentum swiftly.

The Royal Champs are still chasing their first victory of the tournament, having taken three of their four matches into the final over, only to fall agonisingly short.

“A few things haven’t been working well for us, but we’re working hard to get the right mix and balance,” Roy said. “It’s T10 cricket, it’s just that one match to get the momentum back, and I’m confident this team will bounce back.”

Backing experience and leadership

The 2019 ICC World Cup winner credited the depth of seasoned campaigners in the dressing room, pointing to the presence of Angelo Mathews and Shakib Al Hasan, along with the guidance of legendary fast bowler and head coach Sir Courtney Walsh.

“Having guys like Angelo and Shakib is invaluable. Their experience in pressure situations and across formats brings so much to the group,” Roy said. “With Sir Courtney Walsh leading us, we have the leadership and knowledge to turn this around.”

Roy also emphasised the importance of conditioning given the rapid-fire format and tight turnaround between fixtures.

“Fitness and recovery are crucial in such a gruelling schedule. We’re managing resources carefully to ensure everyone is at their best when called upon.”

Love for Abu Dhabi and belief in the campaign

Despite the tough start to the Champs’ inaugural journey, Roy said he relishes returning to the UAE capital each year.

“I genuinely enjoy my cricket in Abu Dhabi and love coming here. The facilities are world-class, and it’s a brilliant environment for players,” he said. “There’s so much to explore here, it’s always special.”

The Abu Dhabi T10 continues through November 30, with the Royal Champs next facing the Aspin Stallions on November 26 as they hunt their first points of the season.

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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Big Ticket joins DP World ILT20 Season 4 as official partner, raffle draw postponed to next Sharjah match

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Big Ticket, the Middle East’s largest and longest-running guaranteed raffle draw, has joined DP World International League T20 Season 4 as an Official Partner, bringing fans closer to dreams of luxury cars, gold, and cash prizes.

The 34-match T20 extravaganza, featuring six teams and some of the world’s top cricket stars, is underway across Dubai International Stadium, Zayed Cricket Stadium (Abu Dhabi), and Sharjah Cricket Stadium, concluding with the final on January 4, 2026. 

Tickets start at Dh20, with hospitality packages from Dh325 and the Sixes Lounge experience available at Dh395. Bookings can be done via Virgin Megastore.

DP World ILT20 Head of Partnerships Ishan Chopra said, “We are thrilled to welcome a UAE-born brand like Big Ticket to Season 4. Their legacy of turning dreams into reality aligns perfectly with our vision of fan-first experiences both on and off the field. Together, we aim to elevate excitement and engagement for all cricket fans.”

Sharjah Warriorz vs Dubai Capitals shifted to Dubai

Due to rain forecasts in Sharjah, the Friday, December 19 match between Sharjah Warriorz and Dubai Capitals has been relocated to Dubai International Stadium, starting at 6:30pm. Ticket holders, however, will remain eligible for the raffle draw, which will now take place during the next Sharjah match on December 21 between the Gulf Giants and Dubai Capitals.

About Big Ticket:

  • Launched in 1992 at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
  • Offers cash prizes and dream luxury cars, with grand prizes now up to Dh35 million.
  • Tickets for the Big Ticket Millionaire cost Dh500 (buy two, get one free), and Dream Car tickets cost Dh150 (buy two, get one free).
  • Instagram: @bigticketauh | Facebook: Big Ticket Abu Dhabi

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DPWorldILT20: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders seal second straight win with four-wicket victory over Gulf Giants

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Abu Dhabi Knight Riders continued their upward momentum in DP World ILT20 Season 4 with a composed four-wicket win over Gulf Giants at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Thursday, climbing from sixth to fourth on the points table.

Chasing 166, Knight Riders were powered by a fluent opening stand between Alex Hales (46 off 39) and Phil Salt (35 off 24), who added 61 runs in 44 balls to lay a solid platform. The chase was then finished calmly by Sherfane Rutherford (30 off 22) and Andre Russell (21 not out off 13), despite a late fightback from Tabraiz Shamsi, who claimed 3 for 23.

Earlier, leg-spinner Piyush Chawla delivered a match-winning spell of 4 for 27 to restrict the Giants to 165 for 7, neutralising Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s commanding 72 off 45 balls.

Salt set the tone early with aggressive strokeplay in the powerplay, including a 17-run over off Fred Klaassen that also took him past 8,000 T20 runs. Although Shamsi struck twice to briefly stall the chase, removing Salt and Liam Livingstone, Hales held firm through the middle overs.

Rutherford shifted momentum decisively with a flurry of boundaries off Moeen Ali, before Russell absorbed pressure late on. Despite wickets falling at regular intervals, the West Indian all-rounder sealed the chase with a towering six in the final over, finishing the match with four balls to spare.

Gulf Giants had earlier threatened a much bigger total after Gurbaz dominated the innings. The Afghan opener shared useful stands with Pathum Nissanka and James Vince before bringing up his half-century off just 32 balls. However, Chawla triggered a collapse in the middle and death overs, removing key batters and ensuring the Giants lost momentum sharply after reaching 132 for 4.

Player of the Match Chawla said his continued success came from “experimenting with angles and flight” to keep batters guessing, while Giants captain James Vince admitted his side fell “20 to 30 runs short” after a promising start.






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DP World T20: MI Emirates defend modest total to beat Dubai Capitals by 7 runs

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MI Emirates produced a remarkable late turnaround to beat the Dubai Capitals by seven runs at the Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday, successfully defending a modest total of 137 in the DP World ILT20.

Jonny Bairstow’s fluent half-century laid the foundation, but it was a collective bowling effort,  led by Rashid Khan, that turned the match on its head after the Capitals appeared firmly in control of the chase.

Chasing 138, the Capitals made a confident start despite losing Leus du Plooy early. Shayan Jahangir and Jordan Cox kept the scoreboard moving, racing to 51 inside the powerplay and putting the Capitals well ahead of the required rate.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically once Rashid Khan entered the attack. Jahangir was outfoxed soon after the powerplay, triggering a collapse that saw the Capitals lose wickets at regular intervals. Rashid removed Rovman Powell before Kamindu Mendis cleaned up captain Dasun Shanaka, reducing the Capitals to 94 for four in the 14th over.

With the asking rate climbing, pressure mounted on Cox, who had anchored the innings. His dismissal in the 18th over — followed swiftly by Mohammad Nabi — proved decisive as Naveen-ul-Haq and Romario Shepherd closed out the innings. The Capitals were eventually bowled out for 130.

Earlier, MI Emirates were kept quiet in the powerplay by disciplined new-ball bowling from the Capitals. Bairstow broke free after the seventh over, launching a counterattack that included a 30-ball half-century, highlighted by eight fours and three sixes.

Muhammad Jawadullah struck twice in quick succession to remove Bairstow and Nicholas Pooran, while Mustafizur Rahman ripped through the middle and lower order. An unbeaten cameo from Romario Shepherd helped MI Emirates reach 137 for eight.

Rashid Khan, named Player of the Match for his two-wicket spell, praised the team effort. “Today was a proper team performance, especially with the ball and in the field,” he said.

The win takes MI Emirates to six points and lifts them into third place on the Season 4 points table, replacing the Dubai Capitals.

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