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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.
