Latest news with #ILT20Season3
Khaleej Times
13-02-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
UAE: David White credits fantastic pitches for good cricket in ILT20
Following the success of ILT20 Season 3 which concluded on February 9 with Dubai Capitals crowned the new champions, league CEO David White expressed delight over the quality of matches, edge-of-the-seat thrillers to the showdown. The final, with a packed stadium, was a testimony to world-class competition as Dubai Capitals chased down the target of 190 runs set by Desert Vipers with just four balls to spare, leaving fans enthralled till the very end. 'I think what summarises the success of season 3 is the excitement, world class players, and some of the matches going down to the wire. No doubt, this season has been a big step up in the quality of cricket, the scores have reflected that,' White said. For the first time in ILT20, over 400 (430) sixes were scored and a total of 10,352 runs amassed by the batters in season 3 underscoring the high-octane matches in the league. 'More than 10,000 runs were scored this season, and we saw some standout individual performances too. The quality of cricket is also largely due to the quality of the pitches we had at our three tournament venues in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah,' White said. The season witnessed individual brilliance with in-form Shai Hope of Dubai Capitals winning the Green Belt for best batter, MI Emirates Fazalhaq Farooqi claiming the White Belt for best bowler and Sam Curran taking home the Red Belt as MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the season. Among some of the standout moments this season was home-grown prodigy Aayan Afzal Khan of Gulf Giants picking up four for 16 runs against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – making it the best figures for a UAE player in the ILT20. The previous record was held by Zuhaib Zuhair with 4 for 22 for Gulf Giants against Sharjah Warriors in the previous season. UAE's Farhan Khan, Dhruv Parashar, Muhammad Rohid Khan and the experienced Muhammad Waseem too hogged the limelight this season with impressive performances that promises to aide their career with the national squad. Elaborating on the impact DP World ILT20 has on developing cricket in UAE, White said, 'ILT20 plays a number of roles, from a community standpoint. It's a great way to connect with the community, we do that with the children playing before the game, the children's performance to the anthem, and we have a vibrant fan zone for families to come and enjoy together. Using the ILT20 brand to connect with the communities has been very good this season."
Khaleej Times
10-02-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Top performers claim prestigious belts at ILT20 Season 3
A new champion was crowned at the ILT20 Season 3 as the Dubai Capitals overcame the Desert Vipers with a four-wicket victory at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Apart from lifting the coveted trophy, the Capitals claimed the $700,000 cash prize, while the Vipers, finishing as runners-up, received $300,000. The ILT20's signature belts also recognised the season's standout performers with $15,000 each. Dubai Capitals' Shai Hope lit up the tournament with his batting prowess, earning the Green Belt as the season's best batter. MI Emirates' Fazalhaq Farooqi proved to be a standout with the ball, claiming the White Belt as the top bowler. Desert Vipers' Sam Curran showcased his all-round brilliance, amassing runs and wickets to secure the Red Belt as the most valuable player. Meanwhile, MI Emirates' Muhammad Waseem continued his dominance among local talents, clinching the Blue Belt as the best UAE player for a third consecutive season. Red Belt Curran was instrumental in powering the Desert Vipers to the final, capping off his season with an essential knock of 62 runs and the crucial wicket of Shai Hope in the summit clash. Across the tournament, Curran amassed 387 runs in 12 innings, including five unbeaten knocks, and claimed seven wickets, highlighted by a 3-for-28 spell against the Gulf Giants. The battle for the Red Belt was fiercely contested, with Curran narrowly edging out Dubai Capitals' Gulbadin Naib, who made a strong case with 381 runs, four half-centuries, and 11 wickets across the campaign. Green Belt The race for the Green Belt went down to the wire, with Hope surpassing MI Emirates' Tom Banton on the final day. Hope's vital 43-run contribution in the final took his tally to 527 runs at an average of 58.55 in 12 innings, edging past Banton's 493 runs. Notably, both batters were the only centurions of the season, with Banton making history as the first player to score two centuries in the DP World ILT20. White Belt Farooqi dominated the quest for the White Belt, with 21 wickets in eleven matches. His haul was bolstered by the best bowling figures in ILT20 history, when Farooqi secured five wickets for 16 runs against Dubai Capitals in the season opener. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders' Jason Holder finished behind Farooqi with 17 wickets in ten matches. Blue Belt Waseem secured the Blue Belt as the Best UAE Player for a third consecutive season. The opener scored 183 runs in 10 matches, smashing 13 sixes in the process. Waseem outfought stiff competition from the likes of Muhammad Rohid Khan and Aayan Afzal Khan who secured 10 wickets each, through the season.
Khaleej Times
07-02-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Desert Vipers set up ILT20 final clash with Dubai Capitals
The Desert Vipers didn't put a foot wrong in their ILT20 Season 3 Qualifier 2 clash against the Sharjah Warriorz as they bowled exceptionally well and followed it up with a scintillating batting display to cruise to a seven-wicket win at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday. The Desert Vipers chased down 163 with 20 balls remaining as Max Holden (48) and Alex Hales (47) set the tempo before the skipper Sam Curran smashed a 15-ball 34 to power his side past the finish line. The Desert Vipers will now face the Dubai Capitals for the ILT20 Season 3 title on Sunday, February 9, in Dubai. Having finished as runners-up in the inaugural season, the Desert Vipers will hope to go the distance this time around. 'It feels good, the pitch was playing well and I'm glad to time that chase well," said Hales who was named player of the match. "It was holding a bit in the first 3-4 overs when we bowled, so we knew we had to adjust when we came out to bat. I kept it quite simple, very happy with how I played square and keeping it still, watching the ball till the last moment. We have a very strong batting line-up, so if we can use our change-ups well, we have a good chance in the final.' Meanwhile, Tim Southee, captain of the Sharjah Warriorz, said: 'It was a tough one. We knew the wicket would skid on a little bit later, but we needed to bowl better. The sides that bowl first tend to have more success here. The Desert Vipers changed their pace well and bowled well throughout the day."
Khaleej Times
06-02-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
UAE: ILT20 is getting bigger and better every year, says Shoaib Akhtar
With the ILT20 Season 3 inching closer to the mega finale on Sunday, Pakistan bowling great Shoaib Akhtar praised the quality of cricket teams have displayed at the tournament. 'The ILT20 is getting bigger and better every year. I am honoured to be part of the league for the second time. I think the numbers tell the truth when it comes to the TRPs and reach of the tournament. You can see the quality of players performing here,' Akhtar said during a press conference in Dubai. He also highlighted the depth of bowling talent in the league, and went on to underscore the performance of Fazalhaq Farooqi from MI Emirates, who leads as the highest wicket-taker amassing 21 wickets this season while Jason Holder picked up 17 wickets for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. UAE's rising star and Gulf Giants all-rounder Aayan Afzal Khan too has been a fan-favourite with 10 wickets in his kitty while Pakistan's Khuzaima Bin Tanvir has been efficient for Desert Vipers with five wickets. 'I think Fazalhaq Farooqi is one of the greatest finds for Afghanistan. He is very good when it comes to the new ball and he is learning fast. I think he should look at the bigger picture in terms of playing for his country,' expressed Akhtar. 'Aayan also has a bright future in UAE cricket. The vision behind this league is to promote UAE cricket and this has been successfully achieved seeing the standout performances this season. Khuzaima (from Faisalabad) has also shown a lot of promise.' On being asked what he would advice the young and upcoming pacers, Akhtar said, 'I would like to see them bowl more aggressively and mix up fast bowling with bouncers and make sure that the batters are staying on the backfoot.' 'I have bowled around 23,000 balls and about 10,000 bouncers in my playing career. The stats show you how much I love aggressive, fast bowling. It's important to bowl in good areas, and in good length. That's what matters, that's what will make you take wickets,' he concluded.
Gulf Today
06-02-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Vipers seek revenge in ILT20 Qualifier 1 against Capitals
Having overpowered Desert Vipers in the last-league match in ILT20 Season 3, Dubai Capitals will be going into a rematch with the table toppers in Qualifier 1 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. The two teams finished in the first two spots in the standings and will be going into the playoffs hoping to go all the way to the title. Vipers will be hoping to exact revenge in Wednesday's rematch. Having finished runners-up once each, both Dubai Capitals and Desert Vipers will be hoping to win their maiden title. Qais Ahmad was incredible for the Capitals as he finished with a stunning spell of 4-25, while Gulbadin Naib lived up to his billing as one of the best allrounders by striking a brilliant unbeaten 55. The win caps an impressive turnaround for the Capitals, who began their campaign with just one win in four games but then regrouped to win four of their last five matches to finish second on the points table. 'Two good teams going head to head and we have been great tonight. We will take a lot of confidence. Wednesday is a new day, new game and we will have to adapt again,' said Sam Billings, Dubai Capitals' captain after their win against the Vipers. The Dubai Capitals put up a scintillating bowling display to bowl out the Desert Vipers for 137. Obed McCoy was on the money as he struck off his first ball when Azam Khan edged it to Naib in the slips. Alex Hales threatened to get going but McCoy outfoxed him with a slower one and the Vipers were down to 39/2 in five overs. Curran joined Dan Lawrence, and the two of them offered their side some much-needed solidity with a crucial 45-run partnership. They found boundaries at will and upped the run rate as the Vipers clawed their way back into the game after losing two early wickets. One of the standout moments came in the eighth over when Curran launched a monstrous six off Naib that sailed over the stands and into the Sharjah streets. Billings said his boys were clinical against the Vipers on Monday and he was delighted by the win against a strong opponent. He was also happy with the bowling of Qais. 'Wrist spin is a bit of a cheat code. It is so important all over the world. It can be a bit of a graveyard in Sharjah, but he was brilliant. The key thing is to be attacking and it was great he got the rewards,' he said. Dubai Capitals finished second after a superb comeback in the event. They ended up with 12 points from six wins and four defeats. Desert Vipers' captain Lockie Ferguson said Monday's disappointing defeat was a blip and they will come back strongly in Qualifier 1. 'These things happen. I still back the boys. We will go back to the drawing board and come back. We have been outstanding and a little blip in the end will not change anything,' he said. Vipers had done exceptionally well so far this season. They finished at the top of the points table with 14 points from 10 matches, winning seven and losing three matches. 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.' 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 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 tournament, boasting a total prize pool of over $1 million, will see MI Emirates meet Sharjah Warriorz in the other Eliminator, following which, the winner will take on the loser of Qualifier 1 for the remaining spot in the final. 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.
