Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriorz set for DP World ILT20 playoffs 

MI Emirates’ Fazalhaq Farooqi with the White Belt for the Highest Wicket Taker after the DP World ILT20 match against the Dubai Capitals at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. (Deepak Malik/ILT20)
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Updated 04 February 2025
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Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriorz set for DP World ILT20 playoffs 

  • Desert Vipers face the Capitals in qualifier 1, while MI Emirates take on the Warriorz in the eliminator
  • Vipers have emerged as the standout team of the season, securing their playoff berth early with a dominant run that included four consecutive victories

DUBAI: The DP World ILT20 Season 3 enters a decisive phase with the Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriorz securing their places in the playoffs.

The tournament, boasting a total prize pool of more than $1 million, will see the Desert Vipers and Dubai Capitals face off in qualifier 1, with the winner advancing directly to the final. Meanwhile, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriorz will meet in the eliminator, following which, the winner will take on the loser of qualifier 1 for the remaining spot in the final. 

The Desert Vipers have emerged as the standout team of the season, securing their playoff berth early with a dominant run that included four consecutive victories. Their campaign has been powered by strong performances from Alex Hales (286 runs) and Sam Curran (267 runs), who have been instrumental with the bat. On the bowling front, Wanindu Hasaranga and Mohammad Amir have been equally impactful, claiming 11 wickets each.

Hasaranga’s economy rate of 5.33 across 30 overs remains the best in the tournament. However, the Vipers have shown slight vulnerability in their recent matches, suffering two losses in their past three games. They will aim to restore their authority against a resurgent Dubai Capitals side who have beaten them on both occasions earlier this season. 

Reflecting on the season so far and looking ahead to the playoffs, Tom Moody, director of cricket, Desert Vipers, said: “There’s been a lot of positive things to reflect on in the seven wins that we’ve had, a lot of great team performances, a lot of good individual performances as well. For us our focus is on just bringing our best game come Wednesday night.” 

After enduring three consecutive losses early in the season, last season’s runners-up, Dubai Capitals, found their momentum, registering five victories in six matches to finish second on the points table. Shai Hope currently holds the green belt (most runs) with 467 runs in ten innings at an average of 66.71, including three half centuries and a century.

Meanwhile, Dushmantha Chameera has led the team’s endeavours with the ball, claiming 12 wickets in eight matches. The Capitals have also been bolstered by the performances of Gulbadin Naib, who has also struck three half centuries for his 314 runs in 10 innings, along with nine wickets as well. 

With the Dubai Capitals heading into a third consecutive playoff in the DP World ILT20, Sikandar Raza said: “The extra cushion of being in the top two helps, but hopefully we can make it straight to the final and not have to play the eliminator. Regardless, our goal is to win the final this year.” 

Reigning champions, MI Emirates, were the second team to book a slot in the playoffs. Their season has ebbed and flowed with five victories in 10 matches. Tom Banton has been their standout performer, amassing 464 runs, including two centuries — a first in the DP World ILT20. Captain Nicholas Pooran has also contributed significantly with three half-centuries. 

MI Emirates’ Fazalhaq Farooqi comfortably leads the race for the white belt (most wickets) with 20 wickets in 10 matches, including figures of 5 for 16 against the Dubai Capitals, a league record. 

The Sharjah Warriorz snapped out of a four-match losing streak to secure three victories on the trot and finish fourth on the points table, with 10 points in just as many games. Their top order has done much of the heavy lifting, with Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Johnson Charles each scoring three half-centuries with 347 and 305 runs respectively. Adam Milne and captain Tim Southee have spearheaded the bowling attack, accounting for 11 and eight wickets respectively. 

The Sharjah Warriorz head into the eliminator following a comprehensive eight-wicket triumph against the MI Emirates in their final group-stage match. Earlier in the season, the Warriorz losing streak had begun with a nine-wicket loss to the MI Emirates. 

The DP World ILT20 offers a total prize pool of $1.3 million, with the champions set to receive $700,000 and the runners-up $300,000.

Individual excellence will also be recognized through the tournament’s signature belts; the green belt for the highest run-scorer, the white belt for the leading wicket-taker, the red belt for the most valuable player, and the blue belt for the best UAE player. Each belt winner will be awarded $15,000, along with the DP world dispatch of the season. Additionally, the player of the match and DP world dispatch of the day during the playoffs and final will receive $6,000. 

In the previous edition, James Vince claimed the green belt, Waqar Salamkheil secured the white belt, Sikandar Raza earned the red belt, and Muhammad Waseem won the blue belt for the second consecutive year. 

Qualifier 1 will see the Desert Vipers take on the Dubai Capitals on Feb. 5 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, while MI Emirates will face Sharjah Warriorz in the eliminator on Feb. 6 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

The winner of the eliminator will then meet the loser of qualifier 1 in qualifier 2 on Feb. 7 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The action will return to the Dubai International Cricket Stadium for the final on Feb. 9. 


‘We never gave up’: Dubai Basketball edge out KK Split in last-minute win

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‘We never gave up’: Dubai Basketball edge out KK Split in last-minute win

  • The 87-82 victory over the Croatian team secured their 11th consecutive victory to take their record to 23-5

DUBAI: Dubai Basketball continues their dream debut season with a last-minute comeback, securing a 87-82 victory over Croatian side Split on Sunday night at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.

This secured their 11th consecutive victory, taking their win-loss record to an impressive 23-5. With just one home game remaining before the playoffs, the team has cemented its place as one of the standout teams of the season.

Dubai Basketball delivered a dominant first half, outscoring Split with quick offensive blows and solid defense. Dubai Basketball’s “Latvian Laser” Davis Bertans led the scoring with 25 points, earning the title of the night’s hero after a clinical shooting display.

“Our first half was very, very good,” said head coach, Jurica Golemac, after the match. “We played with intent, we executed well, and we were in control. But then, we thought it was finished, and Split didn’t give up. We gave them the chance and the hope that they could win this game.”

With momentum shifting, Dubai’s rhythm appeared to falter toward the final minutes of the game. “We started to not move the ball,” Golemac said. “We missed a couple of open shots. We played basket to basket, and that’s never good. They got momentum, and they were scoring tough shots — even with good defense.”

Split seized the opportunity with a burst of energy in the second half, clawing back from a 12-point deficit and even taking a narrow lead at one point in the final quarter. Their head coach shared his half-time message, telling his players to “to take control of our lives — (the game) is in our own hands.”

As the game tightened, Golemac made a decisive move, bringing on fan favorite Nemanja Dangubic to help the team from deep in the court. The city’s commanding forward responded immediately.

“In the end, I have to give credit to the players,” Golemac said. “We managed. We never gave up. With defense, we won the game. And with the great help of our fans, they never gave up on us, and they gave us the extra energy when we needed it.”

Reflecting on the team’s recent run of success, Golemac said: “This is the 11th game in a row that we are winning. The last couple of weeks we had easier victories, and I think everyone expected that tonight would be the same — especially after the way the game started. But as I always say, we play for 40 minutes. Not 10, not 12, not even 38. We play for 40.

“It’s hard to stay at a high-level week after week,” he said. “Now we need to analyze what went wrong, look at what we can improve, and get back to work in practice to prepare for the next game.”


The secret history of Formula 1 in Saudi Arabia

Updated 22 April 2025
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The secret history of Formula 1 in Saudi Arabia

  • In just 5 years, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Jeddah Corniche Circuit has become a fixture in the racing calendar

JEDDAH: As McLaren’s Oscar Piastri lifted the winner’s trophy on Sunday night, the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix marked a milestone that goes far beyond the checkered flag.

With its fifth edition concluded, Jeddah is now not just another Grand Prix for racing fans; it is the world’s fastest and second-longest street circuit in Formula 1 history.

In just five years, the Kingdom has turned its coastal circuit into one of the most talked-about stops on the Formula 1 calendar.                                                                

This anniversary is not just a celebration of fast cars and thrilling races, but also a testament to the Kingdom’s pursuit of global sports recognition.

As the roar of engines faded into silence and the grandstands emptied, the importance of this race in the Kingdom’s sporting history is just beginning to sink in.

Few know the backstory and how a series of off-track moves, quiet negotiations, and long-term ambitions brought the sport onto Saudi Arabia’s soil.

Before the first engine revved up in 2021, the wheels had already been set in motion.

Secret push behind the Grand Prix

Long before the first roar of Formula 1 cars echoed along Jeddah’s Red Sea coast, the idea of bringing the world’s fastest sport to Saudi Arabia was quietly gaining traction in various boardrooms in Riyadh.

It was not just about motorsport, it was a calculated move tied to Vision 2030: to diversify the Kingdom’s economy, elevate its global image, and position Saudi Arabia as a serious player in international sports.

The deal was not public at first. Whispers began to be heard in early 2018, shortly after Saudi Arabia secured rights to host the all-electric Formula E in Diriyah.

That event was seen as a trial, a soft launch into global motorsport. Behind the scenes, the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and the Ministry of Sport began mapping a larger ambition: securing Formula 1.

The official announcement came in November 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a bold move that stunned even some insiders in the racing world.

Critics questioned the timing, but for the Kingdom, this was the perfect moment.

Strategic move to choose Jeddah

The decision to host the race in Jeddah — and not the capital — raised eyebrows. But the logic was simple. Jeddah, a historical port, was undergoing a visual transformation.

Placing the circuit along the Corniche, with the glinting Red Sea as a backdrop, created a visual spectacle few other Formula 1 circuits could match.

But there was more at play. Jeddah is Saudi Arabia’s beating commercial heart, a cosmopolitan city and symbol of the new Saudi Arabia identity.

The Kingdom was not just launching a race, it was rebranding itself to the world, and Jeddah became the face of that campaign.

And then came the design: the fastest street circuit in Formula 1 history.

Designed by Carsten Tilke, son of renowned circuit designer Hermann Tilke, Jeddah featured 27 turns and blisteringly high-speed straights, challenging drivers in ways no other urban race ever had.

5 years of speed, stats, surprises, standout moments

Since its debut in December 2021, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has carved out its own identity.

Fastest street race: It is one of the quickest on the calendar, with cars averaging over 250 kph. In 2021, Lewis Hamilton clocked the fastest average qualifying lap on the circuit.

Second-longest: At  6,174 km, it is one of the longest circuits in the world.

Most turns at 27: Most Grand Prix tracks have 14 to 20, but Jeddah has 27 corners, with sweeping bends and blind apexes, making it technically demanding.

Built in under eight months: It was designed and constructed in less than a year, an incredible feat for a Grade 1 FIA-approved circuit. Over 30,000 tons of asphalt, 600,000 work hours, and thousands of workers were involved.

Historic debuts: The 2021 race was the first Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia, marking the Kingdom as the 34th country to host a Formula 1 contest.

Dramatic finishes: From the Max Verstappen-Hamilton showdown in 2021 to chaotic safety-car dramas and nail-biting late-race restarts, Jeddah’s circuit never delivered a dull contest.

Global spotlight: Over 140,000 fans attended the race weekend in 2023, with millions more watching worldwide.

But perhaps the most surprising statistic is that it has become one of the top-five most-watched races globally, according to F1 media tracking.

Looking ahead, the futuristic Qiddiya circuit is on the horizon. The new entertainment and tourism city is set to become home to one of the most advanced motorsport facilities in the region.

It is a project promising to blend adrenaline, innovation, and entertainment in a way the sport has never seen before.


Global Champions Arabians Tour debuts on the sands of Miami Beach

Updated 22 April 2025
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Global Champions Arabians Tour debuts on the sands of Miami Beach

  • The event was attended by Jeff Bezos, DJ Khaled, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Terrence J and other celebrities

MIAMI: The Global Champions Arabians Tour, the world’s premier Arabian horse championship series, made its debut in Miami with a star-studded event held from April 17-19.

The event was the second stage of the GCAT Americas series and delivered a dazzling display of world-class Arabian horse excellence, international glamour, and signature Miami Beach luxury.

Over the course of three days, the event welcomed guests including VIPs, industry leaders, and international media. Set against the Atlantic shoreline, the event transformed Miami Beach into an equestrian stage, welcoming more 100 horses and handlers from around the globe to compete for GCAT points and a share of the Americas circuit’s $2.7 million prize fund. Categories were judged on type, head and neck, body, legs, and movement.

In the grand finale on Saturday evening the following horses captured Gold Championship titles: 

Senior stallions: Tasheem PMA, owned by Theresa Lungwitz – Royal T Arabians, USA

Senior mares: Exxaltress, owned by Orrion Farms, USA

Junior colts: STA High Voltaj, owned by Al Wajba Stud, Qatar

Junior fillies: Ibitsam Aljassimya, owned by Al Jassimya Farm, USA

Yearling colts: Masarat, owned by Orrion Farms, USA

Yearling fillies: Rohara Aria Heiress, owned by The Aria Partners, USA

The closing ceremony featured aerial performances, immersive lighting, and live entertainment, with a performance of “All I do is Win” by DJ Khaled.

“The Miami Beach stage has exceeded all expectations,” said Faleh Al Nasr, chairman of the Global Champions Arabians Tour. “We’ve brought the passion and artistry of Arabian horses to a global audience here, in a city that embraces culture, elegance, and excellence.”

On Thursday evening, 17-time Grammy Award-winning artist Sting gave a beachfront performance that drew a crowd of notables including Jeff Bezos, DJ Khaled, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Lisa Hochstein, Julia Lemigova, and Kiki Barth from “Real Housewives of Miami”, Jon Vilma, businessman Michael Cayre, Etienne Sabino, Emily Austin, Jamie Reuben, Mario Carbone, Jeff Zalaznick, and more. Meanwhile Saturday featured a performance from Miami’s own Flo Rida and drew appearances from DJ Khaled, Jeremy Piven, Terrence J, model Karolina Kurkova, Martina Navratilova, Bethenny Frankel, Alexia Nepola, Alexis Stoudamire, and Mayor of Miami Francis Suarez.

As part of the 2025 GCAT Americas circuit, the Miami Beach stage followed the season opener in Scottsdale, Arizona, and precedes additional stages in Sao Paulo, Brandon (Canada), and Las Vegas — all leading to the grand finale at the World Arabian Horse Championship Supreme in Doha, Qatar.

 


Pistons snap NBA playoff skid, vintage Leonard leads Clippers past Nuggets in Denver

Updated 22 April 2025
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Pistons snap NBA playoff skid, vintage Leonard leads Clippers past Nuggets in Denver

  • The Pistons, in the playoffs for the first time since 2019, notched their first playoff victory since Game 4 of the 2008 Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics
  • Leonard made 15 of his 19 shot attempts and the Clippers withstood NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic’s triple-double

LOS ANGELES: The Detroit Pistons snapped their record 15-game NBA playoff losing streak with a 100-94 victory over the New York Knicks on Monday to level their Eastern Conference first-round series at one game apiece.

Cade Cunningham scored 33 points with 12 rebounds and Dennis Schroder added 20 points off the bench — including a go-ahead three-pointer with 55.7 seconds left — as the Pistons thwarted another Knicks’ rally bid.

The Los Angeles Clippers also bounced back from a Game 1 defeat, beating the Nuggets 105-102 in Denver behind a brilliant 39-point performance from Kawhi Leonard.

Leonard made 15 of his 19 shot attempts and the Clippers withstood NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic’s triple-double of 26 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists to level their Western Conference series at 1-1.

The Pistons, in the playoffs for the first time since 2019, notched their first playoff victory since Game 4 of the 2008 Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics.

Two days after the Knicks authored a 21-0 scoring run to rally in Game 1, the Pistons were pushed to the finish in a fast-paced, physical encounter at Madison Square Garden.

They led by as many as 15 in the third quarter, but the Knicks had cut the deficit to eight going into the final period.

New York star Jalen Brunson scored 14 of his 37 points in the fourth and fed Josh Hart for a dunk that tied it at 94-94 with 1:15 to play.

But Schroder answered immediately, drilling a three-pointer that put the Pistons ahead for good.

The Knicks came up empty on three straight possessions while Schroder and Jalen Duren connected at the free-throw line to seal Detroit’s win.

Tobias Harris scored 15 points and pulled down 13 rebounds and Duren had 12 points and 13 boards for the Pistons, who host Game 3 on Thursday.

“Feels good to represent the city like we did tonight,” Cunningham said. “It’s something that the city’s been waiting on a long time, so we feel good about it and we’re ready to get back to the crib and perform in front of them.”

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau was irked at what he considered inconsistent officiating, noting that the Pistons went to the free-throw line 34 times to the Knicks’ 19.

“If Cunningham’s driving and there’s marginal contact and he’s getting to the line, then Jalen (Brunson) deserves to be getting to the line,” Thibodeau said.

It was another pulsating contest in Denver, where the Clippers bounced back from a narrow Game 1 overtime defeat thanks to a vintage performance from Leonard — an NBA champion in 2014 and 2019 who has been hindered by injury in recent seasons.

Leonard set the tone early, making nine of his 10 shots in the first half and sending the Clippers into halftime up 55-52 with a buzzer-beating three-pointer.

In a game that featured 18 lead changes, the Nuggets tied it at 100-100 with 2:07 to play on a three-pointer by Murray.

But Norman Powell came up with a steal and drained a three-pointer and Leonard made a jump shot to put the Clippers up 105-102. Leonard stole a Jokic pass with 37.3 seconds left and Los Angeles held on as Christian Braun and Jokic missed in the waning seconds.

“I just kept going and stayed in the zone,” Leonard said. “I didn’t worry about what shots were making or missing. I just kept shooting.”


Ostapenko on upward trajectory as clay season gains momentum

Updated 22 April 2025
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Ostapenko on upward trajectory as clay season gains momentum

  • Her ninth tour-level title, and just her second on clay, lifted Ostapenko six places in the world rankings to 18th, marking her out as a dark horse ahead of Roland Garros, which begins on May 25

Jelena Ostapenko is starting to show shades of the form that saw her crowned French Open champion eight years ago with the Latvian knocking over the top two players in the world en route to winning the Stuttgart Open title on Monday.
Ostapenko became the first woman to beat the world number one and number two in the same claycourt event since Serena Williams at Madrid in 2012 by beating Aryna Sabalenka in the final and Iga Swiatek in the quarters.
Her ninth tour-level title, and just her second on clay, lifted Ostapenko six places in the world rankings to 18th, marking her out as a dark horse ahead of Roland Garros, which begins on May 25.
“Honestly, I didn’t tell anyone, but I felt confident since the first day. I had a strange feeling in a good way,” she told reporters in Stuttgart.
“When I came here, I felt like something’s going to happen this week. I pretty much felt that I can win this tournament.
“I think I’m improving day by day and I’m playing better and better. I think I deserve it.”
Ostapenko, who also beat Swiatek on the way to the Doha final in February before losing to Amanda Anisimova, has failed to reach a Grand Slam final since her Roland Garros breakthrough in 2017.
However, she said playing without the burden of expectation had worked wonders for her this season.
“I had enough pressure in my career,” Ostapenko told the WTA website. “I didn’t feel it even though it was the final. In my mind, I was just playing a match.”
Ostapenko will be in action in Madrid this week and is also dreaming of another deep run in Paris.
“Obviously I can play well on this surface,” she added.
“I will take it match by match, but anything can happen.”