ABU DHABI: Manchester City announced on Friday the launching of Ramadan Esports Football Cup, a regional tournament spanning the Middle East and North Africa.
The competition will engage participants from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Algeria, the Emirates News Agency reported.
Tournament regulations stipulate that on entering national qualifying rounds, participants are allotted a five-hour window to complete a maximum of ten matches against regional competitors.
Leading players from each regional qualifier will advance to the semifinal stage, scheduled for April 4 at 13:00 (local time). Winners of those semifinal matches will then proceed to the grand final held later that day.
Finalists will be awarded a selection of prizes, including an exclusive one-on-one match with a Manchester City esports professional player and an official Manchester City jersey, autographed by the entire team.
The tournament is open to players of all levels and is available across a range of different platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X and PC.
Man City launch Ramadan Esports Football Cup in MENA region
https://arab.news/z7fsv
Man City launch Ramadan Esports Football Cup in MENA region
- Competition will engage participants from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Algeria
- Leading players from each regional qualifier will advance to the semifinal stage on April 4
Pepper, Narine lead Abu Dhabi Knight Riders to ILT20 Qualifier 2 with win over Dubai Capitals
- The win sets up a Qualifier 2 clash with MI Emirates on Friday, with a place in Sunday’s final against Desert Vipers at stake
DUBAI: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders moved one win away from the International League T20 final after sealing a commanding 50-run victory over Dubai Capitals in the Eliminator at Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.
An impressive 122-run opening partnership between Michael Pepper and Phil Salt laid the foundation for the Knight Riders, before a disciplined bowling display, led by Sunil Narine, Jason Holder and Liam Livingstone, dismantled the Capitals’ chase.
The win sets up a Qualifier 2 clash with MI Emirates on Friday, with a place in Sunday’s final against Desert Vipers at stake.
Pepper continued his fine form with a fluent 72 off 49 deliveries, striking seven fours and three sixes, while Salt contributed 43 off 34 as the Knight Riders surged to 122 without loss.
Although the Capitals fought back strongly with the ball to restrict Abu Dhabi to 158/7, a late cameo from Holder (22 off 11) ensured a competitive total.
In reply, the Capitals never recovered from a bruising start as Abu Dhabi’s bowlers applied relentless pressure.
Holder struck early, Narine dominated through the powerplay and middle overs, and Livingstone delivered key blows as the Capitals were bundled out for 108. Narine, Holder and Livingstone finished with three wickets apiece.
Player of the match Narine said: “Winning games changes everything, it means a lot. We haven’t made the playoffs in three years, and that’s something we’ve been pushing hard for. It’s emotional because we’ve played good cricket before without getting the results.”
Dubai Capitals captain Mohammad Nabi was philosophical in defeat.
“At one point it looked like they might get close to 200, but we did well to pull things back with the ball. With the bat, though, we weren’t good enough as a unit,” he said.
“There wasn’t excessive turn, but they bowled very well to their areas. The plan was to rotate strike and avoid early wickets, but it didn’t come off.”
