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West Indies beat UAE to clinch ODI series in Sharjah

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The UAE can look at the emergence of Ali Naseer as a silver lining ahead of the ICC World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe in two weeks when it conceded the one-day international series against West Indies 2-0 after the second match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The third dead rubber will be played on Friday before the team flies to Harare on June 11.

Making his debut on Sunday with a half-century, Naseer followed it up with a successive effort in the middle order in losing causes. An experiential side for the hosts went down by 78 runs and the general result was already etched in the minds of those in attendance by the time the visitors put up 306 runs on the board. Already lean in the batting order – the UAE lost the first ODI by seven wickets after managing only 202 – their innings hinged on captain Muhammad Waseem to lead by example.

But Waseem was the first to go, dismissed cheaply for six runs, caught behind. Rameez Shahzad, the only other senior batsman in the top order, was rested for this match with a niggle. Debutant Lovepreet failed to make most of the opportunity, as did wicketkeeper-opener Aryansh Sharma after settling in on a cautious note, but gifted his wicket away.

The West Indies have won the three-match ODI series with a match to play for. Courtesy Emirates Cricket Board

Asif Khan – still fresh with his March exploits of becoming the fourth-fastest cricket to score a hundred, in 41 balls, and the first cricketer from a Associate nation to get on the list – failed for a successive time despite promotion to the No 5 spot.

Once the battle was lost in the mind and evident from their body language, the only positives left to see was Vriitya Aravind (36 from 52 balls), Naseer (57, 53b) and Basil Ahmed (49, 84b) from spending time in the middle to get some batting expertise against the tall bowlers from the Caribbean. They proved it was only the lack of application in batting that cost the UAE.

Earlier, West Indies lost their way despite a cracking start after winning the toss and electing to bat. Openers Brandon King (64) and Johnson Charles (63) put on 129 runs for the opening wicket in just 17 overs.

Yet, Ali Naseer broke the deadlock with Charles holing out to the young substitute Ethan D’Souza, 17. Credit to the UAE bowlers, who kept their chin up and reigned in the batsmen with wickets at regular intervals. A double from left-arm spinner Aayan Khan helped as UAE prised open the batting order piece by piece.

West Indies even looked like falling short of the 300-run mark, which seemed a formality earlier, but Odean Smith (37 from 24 balls) took them past the milestone. He was dismissed by Zahoor Khan (3-44) as the medium-pacer’s third wicket. Opening bowlers Naseer and Sanchit Sharma brought some respectability to their bowling figures with two wickets each.

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Norway Chess launches Total Chess World Championship Tour with FIDE approval

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Norway Chess, the prestigious organiser of elite international chess tournaments, has officially launched a new World Championship series approved by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

Dubbed the Total Chess World Championship Tour, the initiative aims to identify the player who excels across three formats: Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz.

“We are looking for ‘The Total Chess Player’, a versatile, tactically intelligent, and technically skilled athlete who seamlessly adapts to multiple time controls,” said Kjell Madland, CEO of Norway Chess and the new championship.

The Total Chess World Championship Tour will consist of four tournaments annually, held in different cities worldwide. A pilot tournament is planned for fall 2026, with the first full championship season kicking off in 2027. The overall winner at the final stop will be crowned the official FIDE World Combined Champion.

Tour Structure and Prize Pool

Each of the first three events will carry a minimum prize pool of $750,000, while the Finals, featuring the top four competitors, will award at least $450,000, in addition to performance bonuses for top scores at individual events and across the tour.

The Fast Classic format, featuring 45 minutes plus 30-second increments per move, will receive a classical chess rating, giving players the chance to demonstrate strategic skill in a faster-paced environment.

A New Era for Chess Fans

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich expressed strong support for the initiative: “Chess is already a global phenomenon, but the Total Chess World Championship Tour will bring a new title, faster formats, and engaging broadcasts to captivate both existing fans and new audiences. This complements the traditional World Chess Championship and represents a long-term collaboration with Norway Chess.”

Norway Chess is now inviting host cities, investors, and partners to join discussions about the tour, which promises cutting-edge technology, innovative broadcasts, and an exciting format aimed at broadening the global appeal of chess.

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Game on: Abu Dhabi to build a 24,000-seat, fully air-conditioned stadium

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The UAE capital is getting ready to build a massive 24,000-seat stadium, and yes, it’ll be fully air-conditioned for year-round comfort.

Set to rise in Zayed City, the new sports complex will feature retractable roofing, sustainable cooling systems, and advanced digital screens for an immersive fan experience.

Planned as part of Abu Dhabi’s urban expansion strategy, the stadium will host international matches, concerts, and community events, all in climate-controlled comfort.

Officials say the project underscores Abu Dhabi’s ambition to become a global destination for major sporting events while keeping sustainability at its core. The design uses energy-efficient cooling and solar integration to minimise carbon emissions.

This comes as the UAE continues to invest heavily in sports infrastructure, from cricket and football arenas to Formula 1 circuits, reinforcing its global sporting appeal.

So next time the temperature soars past 45°C, don’t worry, Abu Dhabi’s got you covered, literally.

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Brampton Blitz clinch inaugural Canada Super 60 title with convincing win over Montreal Royal Tigers

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The Brampton Blitz were crowned the first-ever champions of the Canada Super 60 at BC Place, cruising past the Montreal Royal Tigers by eight wickets in a dominant final.

The Blitz showcased their supremacy with the ball, as Dillon Heyliger (4/9), David Wiese (3/6), and Chris Greaves (3/16) bundled out the Tigers for a mere 69 in eight overs. Shakib Al Hasan (29 off 12) and Dilpreet Bajwa (18 off 8) were the only batters to reach double figures for Montreal.

Chasing a modest total of 70, the Blitz wrapped up the victory in just 5.5 overs. James Vince top-scored with a blistering 34 off 16 deliveries, while Martin Guptill contributed a quick 23*. Alex Davies finished proceedings with a six to seal the championship.

Blitz Storm into Final with Nine-Wicket Semi-Final Win Over Mississauga Masters

Earlier in the day, the Brampton Blitz displayed their firepower in the semi-final, demolishing the Mississauga Masters by nine wickets. Chasing 148, Martin Guptill (79 off 25) and Will Smeed (63 off 21) shared a record-breaking 141-run stand in just 6.5 overs. Guptill smashed 11 sixes, while Smeed hit eight, taking the Blitz comfortably past the target in eight overs.

Leus de Plooy (43 off 20) and Sikandar Raza (29 off 13) had provided the Masters with a quick start, supported by Shubham Ranjane (25 off 9) and Rayyan Pathan (19 off 7). Piyush Chawla’s three-wicket haul (3/23) was the highlight for the Blitz bowlers.

Montreal Royal Tigers Overcome Vancouver Kings to Reach Final

In the first semi-final, the Montreal Royal Tigers defeated the Vancouver Kings by 24 runs. Nick Hobson’s 50 off 23 balls rescued the Tigers after an early collapse, lifting them to 100/6 in 10 overs. Baltej Singh (3/21) was the pick of the Kings’ bowlers, while Jaskaran Singh, Dwayne Pretorius, and Tajinder Singh shared three wickets.

During the chase, Shakib Al Hasan (2/5) and Ryan Higgins (2/16) restricted the Kings to 76/7, despite efforts from Max Chu (25 off 10), Obus Pienaar (20 off 11), and Jaskarandeep Singh (16 off 13).

End-of-Season Awards

  • Most Valuable Player: David Wiese – 149 runs at a strike rate of 213+, plus nine wickets.
  • Top Scorer: Leus de Plooy (Mississauga Masters) – 238 runs in six innings at a strike rate over 231.
  • Top Wicket-Taker: Dillon Heyliger (Brampton Blitz) – 13 wickets in seven matches at an average of 11.76.

The inaugural Canada Super 60 concluded with the Brampton Blitz leaving an indelible mark on the tournament, blending explosive batting and lethal bowling to lift the trophy.


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