Squads locked in for DP World ILT20 Development Tournament in Dubai

The DP World ILT20 Development Tournament 2025 will feature six teams, and take place between Aug. 24 and Sept. 3. (Supplied)

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Updated 21 August 2025

Arab News

August 21, 2025 18:40

Squads locked in for DP World ILT20 Development Tournament in Dubai

The 6-team, 18-match tournament, which begins on Aug. 24, provides a platform for rising cricket stars in the UAE to showcase their talent

Updated 21 August 2025

Arab News

August 21, 2025 18:40

DUBAI: The six franchises that will compete at the third DP World International League T20 Development Tournament have finalized their squads for the competition through a player selection draft.

Each team features 15 cricketers from the UAE who represent some of the most exciting talent in the country, including several who have already played in the DP World ILT20.

The tournament, which begins on Aug 24 and culminates with the final on Sept. 3, serves as a platform for the country’s rising stars in the sport to showcase their talent ahead of the DP World ILT20 2025 Player Auction, which will take place at the end of September, a few days after the Asia Cup 2025 concludes in the UAE.

The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development squad includes Ibrar Ahmad, who picked up four wickets in seven appearances for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the third season of the DP World ILT20 at the start of this year. He is joined by Aditya Shetty, who played for the team in season 2, and Shahid Iqbal Bhutta, who made three appearances in season 3.

The Desert Vipers Development team features Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, who impressed by taking seven wickets in as many matches during season 3 of the DP World ILT20, including a match-winning 4 for 22 against Sharjah Warriorz. Also in the squad are Ali Naseer, who has represented the Vipers in all three seasons of the DP World ILT20 to date, and Tanish Suri, who was in the squad for seasons 2 and 3.

The lineup for Dubai Capitals Development includes Farhan Khan, who stood out during DP World ILT20 Season 3 by defending 11 runs against MI Emirates’ Kieron Pollard in the season opener and went on to play in seven matches. His teammates include Zeeshan Naseer, who was part of the Capitals’ senior squad last season.

Gulf Giants Development will look for strong performances from Aayan Khan, who has been part of the senior Giants squad since the inaugural season of the DP World ILT20 in 2023 and shone last year with 10 wickets in 10 games at an economy of 6.17, along with Mohammed Uzair Khan, who played twice for the team in DP World ILT20 season 3.

The MI Emirates Development squad includes Aryan Lakra, who made his first appearance at the DP World ILT20 in season 2 and rejoined the senior side in season 3, and Zahoor Khan, who has been with the franchise for three years and took five wickets in seven matches last season.

Sharjah Warriorz Development includes the experienced Rohan Mustafa, who played 12 matches for the Warriorz during season 3 of the DP World ILT20, helping them to reach the playoffs for the first time. The highlight of his campaign was a match-winning 45 against Gulf Giants in the opening fixture.

The format of the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament is a single-league, round-robin format. Season 4 of the DP World ILT20 will begin on Dec. 2, with the final due to be played on Jan. 4.

Full squads for the 2025 DP World ILT20 Development Tournament

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development: Syed Mohammed Haider Shah, Ronak Panoly, Ahmed Tariq, Sagar Kalyan, Ali Abid, Uddish Suri, Sanchit Sharma, Usaid Amin, Mohammed Shahdad, Rameez Shahzad, Madhav Manoj, Zia Mukhtar, Adithya Shetty, Mohammed Shahid Iqbal, Ibrar Ahmad

Desert Vipers Development: Nilansh Keswani, Mayank Mayank, Sanjay Pahal, Usman Pandit, Awais Ahmed, Taimoor Ali, Nabeel Aziz, Basil Hameed, Angad Nehru, Hafiz Almas Ayub, Arron Lilley, Daniel Pawson, Ali Naseer, Tanish Suri, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer

Dubai Capitals Development: Daniyal Liaquat, Luqman Faisal, Siyam Khan, Israr Ahmad, Mohammed Irfan, Sohaib Khan, Ihtisham Ul Haq, Junaid Shamsudheen, Harshit Seth, Ritesh Mallikarjuna Grandhi, Said Nazeer, Abdul Rahman Nasir, Zeeshan Naseer, Farhan Khan, Khalid Shah

Gulf Giants Development: Mohammed Ibrahim Masood, Ajay Kumar, Junaid Khan Afridi, Mohammed Aftab Alam, Jonathan Figy John, Zahid Ali, Hameed Khan, Tahir Zaman Noor Zaman, Nawodya Wijayakumara, Jash Nitinkumar Giyanani, Uzair Haider Naheed Ullah, Mohammed Aftab Javed, Ayaan Misbah, Aayan Khan, Mohammed Uzair Khan

MI Emirates Development: Vriitya Aravind, Usman Khan, Mohammed Farooq, Danish Qureshi, Rizwaan CP, Mohammed Kamran Atta, Mohammed Faraazuddin, Yug Sharma, Vishnu Kannath Sukumaran, Aryan Saxena, Rahul Bhatia, Mohammed Mohsin, Sabir Ali, Zahoor Khan, Aryan Lakra

Sharjah Warriorz Development: Wasim Akram, Haider Razzaq, Harsh Desai, Simranjeet Singh, Raees Ahmad, Umair Ali Khan, Mohit Singh Kalyan, Mohammed Shahbaz Ali, Omid Rahman, Yassir Kaleem, Rayan Khan, Mohammed Adeeb Usmani, Zawar Farid, Vaibhav Govekar, Rohan Mustafa

Full schedule for DP World ILT20 Development Tournament 2025

Sunday, Aug. 24

5 p.m.: Dubai Capitals Development vs. Desert Vipers Development

9:30 p.m.: MI Emirates Development vs. Gulf Giants Development

Monday, Aug. 25

5 p.m.: Sharjah Warriorz Development vs. ADKR Development

9 p.m.: Gulf Giants Development vs. Dubai Capitals Development

Tuesday, Aug. 26

5 p.m.: ADKR Development vs. MI Emirates Development

9 p.m.: Desert Vipers Development vs. Sharjah Warriorz Development

Wednesday, Aug. 27

5 p.m.: MI Emirates Development vs. Dubai Capitals Development

9 p.m.: Gulf Giants Development vs. Desert Vipers Development

Thursday, Aug. 28:

Rest/training

Friday, Aug. 29

5 p.m.: Sharjah Warriorz Development vs. Gulf Giants Development

9 p.m.: ADKR Development vs. Dubai Capitals Development

Saturday, Aug. 30

5 p.m.: Desert Vipers Development vs. MI Emirates Development

9:30 p.m.: Dubai Capitals Development vs. Sharjah Warriorz Development

Sunday, Aug. 31

7 p.m.: Desert Vipers Development vs. ADKR Development

Monday, Sept. 1

5 p.m.: Sharjah Warriorz Development vs. MI Emirates Development

9 p.m.: ADKR Development vs. Gulf Giants Development

Tuesday, Sept. 2

5 p.m.: Semi-final 1

9 p.m.: Semi-final 2

Wednesday, Sept. 3

7 p.m.: Final

All matches will be played at the ICC Academy in Dubai.

Topics: DP World ILT20 Development Tournament

UEFA ‘reluctantly’ approves European league games in US, Australia

Updated 07 October 2025

AFP

October 07, 2025 05:18

UEFA ‘reluctantly’ approves European league games in US, Australia

Despite “the widespread lack of support that had already been raised by fans, other leagues, clubs, players and European institutions,” UEFA said that it had found no clear regulatory framework in FIFA’s statutes that would allow it to oppose the moves
“The UEFA Executive Committee has reluctantly taken the decision to approve, on an exceptional basis, the two requests referred to it,” European football’s governing body said in its statement

Updated 07 October 2025

AFP

October 07, 2025 05:18

LAUSANNE: European football governing body UEFA on Monday said it had “reluctantly” approved the staging of a Spanish La Liga and an Italian Serie A match in the US and Australia respectively despite fan protests.

“While it is regrettable to have to let these two games go ahead, this decision is exceptional and shall not be seen as setting a precedent,” UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said in a statement.

UEFA made its ruling after Spain’s La Liga agreed to move a game scheduled for late December between champions Barcelona and Villarreal to Miami, Florida.

Italy’s Serie A also decided to stage the encounter between AC Milan and Como on February 8 in Perth, Australia, to avoid a clash with the Winter Olympics opening ceremony at Milan’s San Siro stadium.

But that sparked protests from European supporters groups who branded the moves “absurd, unaffordable, and environmentally irresponsible.”

In its statement, UEFA said that it had “reiterated its clear opposition to domestic league matches being played outside their home country.”

But despite “the widespread lack of support that had already been raised by fans, other leagues, clubs, players and European institutions,” UEFA said that it had found no clear regulatory framework in FIFA’s statutes that would allow it to oppose the moves.

“The UEFA Executive Committee has reluctantly taken the decision to approve, on an exceptional basis, the two requests referred to it,” European football’s governing body said in its statement.

NFL, NBA precedent

While the idea of relocating European football matches to other continents seems shocking to many, other sports — particularly US ones — have been doing something similar for years, even decades.

The NFL has held games in London since 2007 while it also expanded to Mexico and Germany.

Last year it added a game in Sao Paulo and this year there has been one in Dublin for the first time. Another is slated for Madrid in November while Melbourne will play host to a game in 2026.

The NBA, which has relocated regular-season matches since 1990 to Japan and since 2013 to Europe, has already scheduled six games in Berlin, London, Manchester and Paris over the next three seasons.

In rugby union, the French Top 14 club competition took its 2016 final to Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium, while Ireland and New Zealand played an international match in Chicago that same year — with Ireland claiming their first ever victory over the All Blacks.

Last weekend, Argentina played their final Rugby Championship match at home to South Africa at Twickenham in London.

It is not unheard of in football to host matches abroad, but until now those had only ever been glorified friendlies.

The Spanish and Italian Super Cups are already held in ��, after previous editions in China, Morocco, Qatar and Libya, as governing bodies seek to cash in on the global reach of the beautiful game.

La Liga has been trying for years to host games in the US, home of its commercial partner Relevent Sports.

Football’s world governing body FIFA shifted its hitherto opposition to relocating matches, with a ‘working group’ launched in May to revise their rules.

That opened the door to UEFA granting La Liga and Serie A the permission to branch out.

On Monday, Lega Calcio Serie A thanked “UEFA for recognizing the exceptional nature of this initiative.”

“It should also be emphasized that this is only one match out of 380 in the league: an extraordinary event, not a structural change to the schedule,” a Serie A statement said.

“I hope that approval from FIFA and the Australian Football Federation will complete the authorization process,” added Serie A president Ezio Simonelli.

“For us, a contingency linked to the unavailability of the San Siro Stadium has been transformed into an opportunity to please the many Italian football fans, who will have the chance to follow the match live in Perth, and also for the two teams and Italian football to increase their international visibility and fan base.”

Topics: UEFA European Leagues

Zverev dumped out of Shanghai Masters by France’s Rinderknech

Updated 06 October 2025

AFP

October 06, 2025 22:13

Zverev dumped out of Shanghai Masters by France’s Rinderknech

The German had injured his big toe toward the end of his last match in Shanghai but on Monday seemed to show no sign of discomfort as he broke Rinderknech in the third game with a forehand

Updated 06 October 2025

AFP

October 06, 2025 22:13

SHANGHAI: World No. 3 Alexander Zverev was knocked out of the Shanghai Masters by France’s Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 on Monday, leaving Novak Djokovic as the tournament’s top-ranked player.

In stifling conditions, the 54th-ranked Frenchman came back from a set down to stun an increasingly rattled Zverev into submission.

The German had injured his big toe toward the end of his last match in Shanghai but on Monday seemed to show no sign of discomfort as he broke Rinderknech in the third game with a forehand.

He nearly went ahead early in the second set, but Rinderknech recovered his cool, piling on the pressure in the fourth game to eventually break.

“I’m not very sure (how I managed to turn the game around),” he said.

“I fought like hell, tried everything. (Zverev) is such a good player ... I knew it was going to be a battle.

“Starting in the second set ... I was able to be offensive at the right moment, in a smarter way,” he said.

Keeping up the momentum, in the third set the 30-year-old broke in the third game.

Zverev had to pause to change his shoes because sweat was pouring out of them, as spectators wafted fans and wore cool packs on their foreheads to counter the suffocating humidity.

But switching footwear was not enough to save the German, and a double fault in the seventh game led to Rinderknech breaking again.

Holding with an ace to win, the Frenchman lolled his body in delighted disbelief, then danced around the court in glee.

Zverev’s exit means world No. 5 Djokovic, who is aiming for a record-extending fifth title in the Chinese financial hub, now leads rankings-wise as the tournament heads into the last 16.

On Sunday the competition lost both defending champion Jannik Sinner, who was forced to retire with extreme leg cramps, and 4th-ranked Taylor Fritz.

World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz withdrew at the last minute to rest.

Alex de Minaur is the next highest seed after Djokovic was through to the fourth round, comfortably getting past Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak 6-1, 7-5.

“I came into this week knowing how tough the conditions were going to be,” the world number seven said.

“So the mindset ultimately is surviving, finding ways, and getting ready for battles every time you step out on the court.”

The Australian will next meet Portugal’s Nuno Borges, who put an end to the hopes of home favorite Shang Juncheng 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-3.

Topics: Shanghai Masters Arthur Rinderknech Alexander Zverev

Pakistan’s Sidra Amin reprimanded for breaching ICC code of conduct against India

Updated 06 October 2025

October 06, 2025 17:32

Pakistan’s Sidra Amin reprimanded for breaching ICC code of conduct against India

Amin top-scored with 81 runs, but her half century was not enough to save Pakistan from an 88-run defeat
It was Pakistan’s second successive loss in the tournament after it lost the opening game against Bangladesh

Updated 06 October 2025

October 06, 2025 17:32

COLOMBO: Pakistan batter Sidra Amin has been reprimanded for breaching the ICC's code of conduct during a Women’s Cricket World Cup match against archrival India on Sunday.

Amin top-scored with 81 runs, but her half century was not enough to save Pakistan from an 88-run defeat. It was Pakistan’s second successive loss in the tournament after it lost the opening game against Bangladesh by seven wickets.

The ICC said in a statement on Monday that Amin breached its article 2.2 related to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match.”

Amin hit her bat forcefully onto the pitch after she was dismissed in the 40th over. She admitted her offense and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Shandre Fritz.

It was Amin’s first offense in two years and she was given one demerit point for a Level 1 breach.

Pakistan next takes on defending champion Australia in Colombo on Wednesday.

Topics: Sidra Amin Pakistan v India

FIA President Ben Sulayem to champion safety, sustainability and innovation at Asai Pacific Congress

Updated 06 October 2025

Arab News

October 06, 2025 11:46

FIA President Ben Sulayem to champion safety, sustainability and innovation at Asai Pacific Congress

The event, taking place in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on Wednesday, will spotlight the region’s growing impact on motorsport and mobility

Updated 06 October 2025

Arab News

October 06, 2025 11:46

DUBAI: Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, will open the FIA Asia Pacific Congress in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on Wednesday by spotlighting the region’s growing impact on motor sport and mobility.

The congress, hosted by the Royal Automobile Association of Thailand, brings together motorsport and automotive mobility leaders from across Asia and the Pacific to discuss key initiatives in road safety, sustainable mobility, regional sporting growth, and innovation in transport.

Speaking ahead of the congress, Ben Sulayem said: “I am delighted to be joining our members and partners in Chiang Mai for the FIA Asia Pacific Congress, and I look forward to building on the region’s impressive progress in both mobility and sport.

“Asia and the Pacific are among the fastest growing areas of our federation, and the commitment shown by our members here is driving real impact, from safer roads and sustainable transport to new opportunities for grassroots and elite competition.

“This gathering is an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration across the region, share expertise in mobility and motorsport, and advance our shared priorities of safety, sustainability and innovation.”

The theme of this year’s FIA Asia Pacific Congress is “Innovate. Integrate. Accelerate: Driving a sustainable future for mobility and sport,” with the program designed to equip member clubs with new strategies and insights into evolving mobility and sporting trends.

This includes a focus on sustainable practices, affordable grassroots pathways, and the evolution of artificial intelligence and its role in the FIA’s sectors.

The event comes as motorsport and mobility innovation gather pace across the region. Sri Lanka recently hosted the Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship with 18 nations and 204 competitors, while Malaysia will stage the first FIA “Arrive and Drive” Karting World Cup this November.

In 2026, Formula One returns to Australia, China, and Japan, alongside the World Rally Championship and World Endurance Championship in Japan and Formula E in Shanghai and Tokyo.

On the mobility side, the Safe Helmets for Asia Pacific Initiative recently held its first workshop in Manila, bringing together delegates from Cambodia, China, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam to chart new roadmaps for safer helmets.

Topics: Mohammed Ben Sulayem FIFA

‘Couldn’t have asked for a better environment,’ says New York Knicks coach after back-to-back wins at Abu Dhabi Games 2025

Updated 06 October 2025

Arab News

October 06, 2025 09:11

‘Couldn’t have asked for a better environment,’ says New York Knicks coach after back-to-back wins at Abu Dhabi Games 2025

Mike Brown’s team claim a 113–104 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in the second of 2 preseason matchups

Updated 06 October 2025

Arab News

October 06, 2025 09:11

ABU DHABI: The New York Knicks’ coach Mike Brown said his team had “a great trip” after they wrapped up the second of two preseason matchups at the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 with a 113–104 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night.

The Knicks’ performance at Etihad Arena was led by OG Anunoby’s 13-point debut, Mitchell Robinson’s dominance on the boards, and 14 points from Jalen Brunson, which secured back-to-back wins.

Brown said: “It was a great trip. We really enjoyed it, the people here were very welcoming, and we couldn’t have asked for a better environment to spend time with our families and with each other.

“I thought we got a lot out of the trip. Now we’ll go home, regroup, and keep trying to get a little better every day.”

The 76ers’ head coach Nick Nurse said: “It was great. There were a couple of things I really wanted to achieve and enjoyed from both a coaching perspective and a basketball standpoint.

“We had a really good week of work, and from tonight’s game we saw a lot of positive things, including several of the areas we’ve been focusing on improving.”

The Knicks’ point guard Brunson said: “Playing here was great. The experience was amazing. Seeing the fans and being able to do what we do on the court while also having fun off the court made it a really special bonding experience for us.

“I’m just happy we were able to come away with a couple of wins.”

Topics: New York knicks NBA Abu Dhabi

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Squads locked in for DP World ILT20 Development Tournament in Dubai

Squads locked in for DP World ILT20 Development Tournament in Dubai

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Squads locked in for DP World ILT20 Development Tournament in Dubai

Squads locked in for DP World ILT20 Development Tournament in Dubai

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UEFA ‘reluctantly’ approves European league games in US, Australia

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‘Couldn’t have asked for a better environment,’ says New York Knicks coach after back-to-back wins at Abu Dhabi Games 2025

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