DP World ILT20 and Kuwait Cricket celebrate landmark partnership with grand ceremony

Simon Doull, Waqar Younis, and Harbhajan Singh during the fireside chat at the celebration of the DP World ILT20 and Kuwait Cricket Board partnership. (Supplied)

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Updated 22 sec ago

Arab News

November 11, 2025 19:20

DP World ILT20 and Kuwait Cricket celebrate landmark partnership with grand ceremony

Deal was signed in May; six players from Kuwait to play in forthcoming season in the UAE
DP World International League T20 Season 4 will begin on Dec. 2 and end on Jan. 4, 2026

Updated 22 sec ago

Arab News

November 11, 2025 19:20

KUWAIT CITY: The DP World ILT20 and the Kuwait Cricket Board celebrated their landmark partnership with a special event in Kuwait City on Monday.

The event featured legendary cricketers and DP World ILT20 commentators Harbhajan Singh and Waqar Younis, who shared their insights on the sport’s growth in the region in a fireside chat hosted by broadcaster and former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull. Also in attendance were the management of DP World ILT20, Kuwait Cricket Board and Emirates Cricket Board.

Several players from Kuwait earned contracts at the DP World ILT20 Season 4 Player Auction in October: Mohamed Aslam (Sharjah Warriors), Mohamed Shafeeq (MI Emirates), Bilal Tahir (Desert Vipers), Meet Bhavsar (Gulf Giants), Adnan Idrees (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders) and Anudeep Chenthamara (Dubai Capitals).

Acknowledging the significance of the occasion and Kuwait’s strengthening ties with the league, President Kuwait Cricket Haider Farman said: “It was an absolute pleasure to welcome the esteemed board members and guests of the DP World ILT20 to Kuwait Cricket. This collaboration marks a monumental step forward for cricket’s growth in our region, highlighted by six Kuwait-based players being auctioned in Season 4. The celebration was even more special with legends like Harbhajan Singh, Waqar Younis and Simon Doull joining us, and a power-packed performance by Ali Zafar to make it a truly unforgettable evening.”

Board Advisor DP World ILT20 Sajid Ashraf added: “Last night was nothing short of historic for Kuwait Cricket and the Gulf region. To celebrate this partnership with DP World ILT20 alongside legends like Harbhajan Singh, Waqar Younis and Simon Doull was truly special. The enthusiastic participation of Kuwait’s leading corporate giants in this event reflects the growing confidence in our cricketing vision and the league’s immense potential.

“The inclusion of six Kuwait-based players in Season 4 sets a new benchmark for Gulf cricket, and this is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the sport in our region,” he said.

Speaking about the partnership and the opportunities it presents for emerging players in the Gulf, Harbhajan Singh said: “It’s wonderful to be here in Kuwait with the DP World ILT20 team. I’ve been involved with the league since day one, and they’ve worked really hard to make this happen. Today we’re launching something truly special, Kuwait Cricket is reaching new heights, and full credit goes to the DP World ILT20 team. This partnership gives players from Kuwait a chance to live their dream and to play alongside legends.

“The DP World ILT20 is a massive platform, and I’d tell these players to grab the opportunity and show the world what they’re made of. I’m also looking forward to seeing a stadium come up here in Kuwait, which will be another big step forward for the sport in the region.”

Waqar Younis said that the league “keeps getting better each season,” and called progress in the previous season “remarkable.”

“With the opportunities created by DP World and the ILT20, more young players are getting the platform to showcase their talent,” he said. “It’s always a pleasure returning to Dubai for the tournament, and equally wonderful to be here in Kuwait celebrating this partnership.”

Reflecting on the progress made since the partnership was signed earlier this year, CEO DP World ILT20 David White said: “Monday was one historic night where we wholeheartedly celebrated the incredible power that cricket holds of bringing people and countries together. The DP World International League T20 and Kuwait Cricket partnership is a major milestone for the growth of cricket in the Gulf region, and we enjoyed a memorable night in the beautiful Kuwait City to celebrate the occasion.

“The DP World ILT20-Kuwait Cricket partnership has already reaped rich rewards since we signed the agreement in May this year,” he added. “The first edition of the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament Kuwait was a massive success, followed by the induction of six Kuwait players into the DP World ILT20 Season 4 squads. This alliance is for the long run and will surely benefit Kuwait cricket in the years ahead.”

Capping off the festivities, artist Ali Zafar delivered a live performance that added a vibrant touch to the evening. The event concluded with the Kuwait Cricket Player Awards, recognising standout talent and performances for Kuwait.

Topics: DP World ILT20 Kuwait

Gabon’s Aubameyang carries hopes of World Cup playoff underdogs

Updated 8 sec ago

November 11, 2025 19:22

Gabon’s Aubameyang carries hopes of World Cup playoff underdogs

Updated 8 sec ago

November 11, 2025 19:22

Gabon meet Nigeria in Rabat on Thursday, followed by a clash between Cameroon and Congo
Thursday’s two winners will meet in a final on Sunday to determine the African side that advances to the inter-continental playoff in March

RABAT: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could crown a chequered international career with success in the African World Cup playoff in Morocco this week but Gabon are very much the outsiders as four countries look to keep alive hopes of making next year’s finals.
Gabon meet Nigeria in Rabat on Thursday, followed by a clash between Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo, in a playoff tournament for the four best runners-up across the nine already-concluded African qualifying groups.
The nine winners are automatically through to next year’s finals in Canada, Mexico and the US but this week’s mini-tournament offers the possibility of a 10th representative for the continent.
Thursday’s two winners will meet in a final on Sunday to determine the African side that advances to the inter-continental playoff in March, where the last places for the 48-team World Cup will be determined.
French-born Aubameyang won the African Footballer of the Year award 10 years ago on the back of his scoring exploits with Borussia Dortmund and has been Gabon’s talisman since his first cap in 2009 but never able to steer his country to international success despite them twice hosting the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 36-year-old’s 80-cap tally might have been substantially higher had he not clashed with administrators and coaches and more than once temporarily retired from international football

CHANCE IN TWILIGHT OF CAREER
But now in the twilight of his career, Aubameyang has a chance to take the small central African country to a first ever World Cup if he can keep up his form of recent months.
The striker scored all four goals as Gabon beat the Gambia 4-3 in last month’s qualifier before finishing second in their group and has pitched in with goals for Olympique de Marseille since his return to Ligue 1 from a spell in ��.
Aubameyang will share the same pitch on Thursday with one of his successors, 2023 Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen, who leads Nigeria’s hopes of a seventh World Cup finals appearance.
Cameroon have qualified for eight previous World Cups, more than any other African side, but their qualifying campaign has been overshadowed by frequent skirmishes between government-appointed coach Marc Brys and federation president Samuel Eto’o.
DR Congo’s only previous World Cup appearance was over half a century ago when the country was known as Zaire. They were leading their group but let a two-goal advantage at home to Senegal slip and lost 3-2 to finish second and have to try again in the playoffs.
However, Yoane Wissa’s absence through injury is a blow to their chances.