Latest news with #KhalidAlZarooni
Gulf Today
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Waseem to lead UAE in 2-match T20I series against Bangladesh
Seasoned opening batter Muhammad Waseem will lead the 15-member UAE squad for the two-match T20I series against Bangladesh which will be staged at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The matches will be played on Saturday and Monday. Of late UAE have been playing bilateral series with countries like Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Ireland and New Zealand. UAe have shown a great improvement since their debut in the international cricket. They also played a three-match series against New Zealand, which the tourist won 2-1. They were close to winning the series against the cricketing giants but fell short by 32 runs in their chase in the last match after wining the second game. Their results with the other teams like Zimbabwe and Netherlands has been commendable. Through their continuous hard work and progress under the different coaches, UAE have attained the ODI and T20 status in the international cricket. Cricket is the most sought after and popular sport in the country due to the high influx of the expatriates from the sub-continent. The cricket has witnessed an unprecedented growth in the past few years by both men and women teams . UAE eves cricket got the ODI status few days ago with a commendable performance. Earlier, Khalid Al Zarooni, Emirates Cricket Board's Vice-Chairman, congratulated the UAE women's on being awarded the ICC ODI status for the first time in the team's history. The ICC announced ODI status for five Associate Members on Friday for the 2025-29 cycle. The status comes into effect from May 12, 2025. Thailand and Scotland retained their ODI status due to their qualification for the Women's Cricket World Cup (CWC) Qualifier 2025. Papua New Guinea and the Netherlands retained their ODI status through their T20I ranking while the UAE gained ODI status by virtue of being the next highest ranked Associate Member team at the time of the annual ICC Women's T20I ranking update. The UAE have replaced the US in the list of 16 teams with ODI status for the 2025-29 cycle. Zarooni said: 'The Emirates Cricket Board is delighted with the incredible progress of our women's team. Their rise to ODI status is a monumental achievement and speaks volumes about the team's determination, skills, talent and commitment. 'I want to congratulate captain Esha Oza and all her team members as well as the coaching staff on their global recognition which is a result of their untiring efforts and the Emirates Cricket Board's development work and the sheer dedication in the growth of women's game in the UAE. 'In the coming days, months and years the ECB will continue to provide top quality facilities to our women players including regular playing opportunities against international opposition at both junior and senior levels. 'Our talent hunt programmes at both school and college levels across the UAE continue to reap rewards. We are as determined as ever to make more progress. I wish the team the very best as they start an exciting journey in the 50-overs format.' UAE women's team captain Esha Oza: 'A big congratulations to everyone at the Emirates Cricket Board. All the players , coaches , support staff and board members. It has been an amazing journey so far for the UAE women's team and it's a historic moment for us to achieve ODI status. 'This recognition is hard earned with tireless efforts put in behind the scenes by players and coaches and through the unwavering support of the ECB. The past few years have been years of growth for our team and a big shoutout goes to everyone who has been involved with the women's team since the very beginning. 'From the first ever team that represented the UAE women's national side to the one that will be the first to represent the team at ODIs , it's a proud moment for everyone, I'm sure. 'A big congratulations to everyone and we're all excited for the journey ahead.' Teams with ODI status are required to play at least eight ODIs over a three-to-four-year period to achieve or maintain a ranking. At the recently held ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifiers in Pakistan, Scotland delivered a commendable performance by finishing fourth out of six competing teams.
ARN News Center
15-05-2025
- Sport
- ARN News Center
ILT20 Season 4 to commence on UAE National Day
Season 4 of the DP World International League T20 will kick off on Tuesday, December 2, coinciding with the UAE's National Day (Eid Al Etihad) celebrations. The 34-match cricket tournament, featuring six teams, has been moved from its traditional January-February slot to a new window — from December 2 to January 4, 2026 — to avoid a clash with the ICC Men's T20 World Cup scheduled for February-March. Chairman of the ILT20 and Vice-Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, Khalid Al Zarooni, says launching the league on National Day is a tribute to the UAE and its diverse cricket-loving population. The DP World ILT20 has quickly become the Gulf region's biggest T20 league, attracting international stars like David Warner, Andre Russell, Sam Curran and Sunil Narine. Season 3 ended in a dramatic final, with the Dubai Capitals claiming the title in a last-over thriller against the Desert Vipers at a packed Dubai International Stadium. Organisers say Season 4 promises to be even bigger, with more global talent and strong fan engagement.
Dubai Eye
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Dubai Eye
ILT20 Season 4 to commence on UAE National Day
Season 4 of the DP World International League T20 will kick off on Tuesday, December 2, coinciding with the UAE's National Day (Eid Al Etihad) celebrations. The 34-match cricket tournament, featuring six teams, has been moved from its traditional January-February slot to a new window — from December 2 to January 4, 2026 — to avoid a clash with the ICC Men's T20 World Cup scheduled for February-March. Chairman of the ILT20 and Vice-Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, Khalid Al Zarooni, says launching the league on National Day is a tribute to the UAE and its diverse cricket-loving population. The DP World ILT20 has quickly become the Gulf region's biggest T20 league, attracting international stars like David Warner, Andre Russell, Sam Curran and Sunil Narine. Season 3 ended in a dramatic final, with the Dubai Capitals claiming the title in a last-over thriller against the Desert Vipers at a packed Dubai International Stadium. Organisers say Season 4 promises to be even bigger, with more global talent and strong fan engagement.
Arab News
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
DP World International League T20 4th season to start on UAE National Day
DUBAI: Season four of the DP World International League T20 tournament will start on Dec. 2 — UAE National Day — it has been announced. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The six-team, 34-match tournament will conclude just over a month later, with the final taking place on Jan. 4, 2026. The biggest T20 league in the Gulf region has moved out of its traditional January-February window as the ICC Men's T20 World Cup is scheduled for February-March 2026. ILT20 chairman ILT20 and Emirates Cricket Board vice chairman, Khalid Al-Zarooni, said: 'We are delighted to confirm that the DP World International League T20 season four will commence on the UAE National Day — Eid-Al-Etihad — which is one of the most important days on the UAE calendar. 'The UAE National Day is the day where we celebrate the United Arab Emirates, which is home to people from around the world including millions of diehard cricket fans. It is a real honor for us to join the nation in the UAE National Day 2025 celebrations with the launch of the region's biggest T20 league on the same day.' DP World ILT20 CEO David White added: 'The ICC Men's T20 World Cup begins in early February; hence it was important for us to start and finish season four well before the tournament as it will allow the players playing both the DP World ILT20 and the T20 World Cup to prepare for national duty. In addition, we feel the December-January window will provide the teams the best opportunity to access a bigger pool of players. 'Season three was a big success with outstanding broadcast and digital numbers as the fans enjoyed a step up in the quality of cricket. The teams gave their absolute all across the hugely competitive 34 tournament matches, which concluded with a nail-biting final. We are now fully focused on making an even bigger impact as we turn our attention to Season 4.' Season three featured major T20 stars including Nicholas Pooran, Sam Curran (player of the tournament — red belt winner), Shai Hope (most runs in the tournament — green belt winner), Fazalhaq Farooqi (highest wicket-taker — white belt winner), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Jason Holder, Alex Hales, Fakhar Zaman, Lockie Ferguson, David Warner, Rovman Powell, Dasun Shanaka, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, James Vince, Shimron Hetmyer, Tom Banton, Romario Shepherd, Tim Southee, Tim Seifert, Matthew Wade, Jason Roy, Adil Rashid and Adam Zampa. The Dubai Capitals won the trophy, edging out the Desert Vipers in a thrilling final which was played in front of a full house at the Dubai International Stadium.
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Business Standard
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Season four of ILT20 set to return with a new December-January window
In a major announcement across their official website and social media platforms, MI Emirates confirmed that the fourth season of the DP World International League T20 (ILT20) will be held from 2 December 2025 to 4 January 2026. This new window aligns perfectly with the festive season in the Gulf, beginning on UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) and running through Christmas and New Year. As cricket fever grips the region, fans can look forward to another season of world-class action. The MI Emirates franchise, in their release, also talked about the unique timing and cultural significance of this year's edition, expressing excitement about launching the tournament during a period that celebrates both national pride and global festivities. Ladies & gentlemen, #DPWorldILT20 is back for Season 4⃣ ???? Get ready and save the date as we are all set to entertain in UAE's blockbuster festival of cricket ???????????? #OneFamily #MIEmirates — MI Emirates (@MIEmirates) May 14, 2025 A Celebration Beyond Cricket Chairman of ILT20 and Vice-Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), Khalid Al Zarooni, expressed that launching the tournament on UAE National Day is a tribute to the country and its diverse population of cricket fans. He said it is a proud moment to start Season 4 as part of the National Day celebrations, emphasising the UAE's identity as a global hub for cricket enthusiasts. Strategic Timing Ahead of T20 World Cup ILT20 CEO David White explained that the new schedule was carefully chosen after consulting stakeholders. He noted that the December–January window not only avoids clashes with the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in February 2026, but also provides franchises access to a larger pool of international talent. The timing ensures players are match-ready for both domestic and international duties. MI Emirates: From Mixed Fortunes to Fresh Hopes Reflecting on Season 3, MI Emirates described their campaign as a 'mixed bag', reaching the playoffs but exiting in the Eliminator. However, memories of the 2024 championship-winning squad, led by Nicholas Pooran, remain vivid. The team hopes to recreate that magic in Season 4 and give fans more moments to cherish in their signature blue and gold.
