Gulf Giants crowned DP World ILT20 champions

Gulf Giants crowned DP World ILT20 champions
Gulf Giants celebrate winning the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament 2024 on Wednesday night (Supplied)
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Updated 17 October 2024
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Gulf Giants crowned DP World ILT20 champions

Gulf Giants crowned DP World ILT20 champions
  • Shival Bawa’s unbeaten 63 steers team to a six-wicket victory against the ILT20 Pearls

DUBAI: The Gulf Giants were crowned champions of the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament 2024 on Wednesday following a six-wicket victory against the ILT20 Pearls at ICC Academy Oval 1.

The Giants’ run chase was buoyed by Shival Bawa’s dazzling half-century and vital contributions from Vriitya Arvind, Hameed Khan and Muhammad Saghir Khan. 

Yassir Kaleem’s half century helped the Pearls post 185/5 earlier in the day, with Rohan Mustafa also registering a comprehensive performance with bat and ball for the Pearls that went in vain. 

Notably, the competition offers UAE players a chance to earn one of 12 coveted berths in the six DP World ILT20 Season 3 squads, with the all-important draft set for October 23.

The Giants’ run chase faltered to 20/2 with Mustafa picking up the wickets of Muhammad Irfan and Samal Udawantha. Giants’ captain Arvind was joined by Bawa as the pair notched up an essential partnership of 80 runs.

While Arvind was scalped by Uzair Khan for 34 runs, Bawa remained unbeaten to steer the Giants home with 63 runs to his name. His 48-ball knock comprised five fours and three sixes.

Hameed Khan also contributed a swift knock of 27 runs in 13 balls before he was castled by Mustafa in the 16th over. Bawa was then aided by Muhammad Saghir Khan’s high-impact innings of 33 runs in 11 balls, as the Giants chased down the target in 19 overs. 

Earlier in the day, the ILT20 Pearls had an explosive opening push, with Alishan Sharafu’s rapid-fire knock of 35 runs in 15 balls, including four sixes and two fours. At the other end, Mustafa played the anchor’s role with 33 runs in 37 balls. The opening pair had put on 54 runs before Sharafu was dismissed by Irfan in the fifth over. Irfan would also account for Asif Khan, who only managed one run.

Kaleem remained unbeaten to emerge as the top scorer for the Pearls, smashing seven sixes on his way to 72 runs in 45 deliveries. 

Meanwhile, Aayan Azfal Khan picked up the wickets of Mustafa and Uzair Khan in the 14th over. Kamran Atta was the next man to depart as Muhammad Zuhaib’s sole wicket of the night. 

Shahrukh Ahmed joined Kaleem to script the finish for the Pearls with a cavalier knock of 24 runs in only 15 balls. The Pearls finished the innings at 185/5 in 20 overs. 

With the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament 2024 completing a second edition, it continues to highlight some of the emerging talent from around the region. Raees Ahmed finished as the top scorer of the tournament, amassing 307 runs for the ILT20 Thunderbolts while Uzair Khan emerged as the leading wicket taker with 16 scalps for the Pearls.


Saudi Arabia confirmed as 2034 World Cup host: FIFA

Saudi Arabia has been officially confirmed by FIFA as host of the 2034 World Cup in men’s soccer. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia has been officially confirmed by FIFA as host of the 2034 World Cup in men’s soccer. (SPA)
Updated 22 min 33 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia confirmed as 2034 World Cup host: FIFA

Saudi Arabia has been officially confirmed by FIFA as host of the 2034 World Cup in men’s soccer. (SPA)
  • The Saudi bid was acclaimed by the applause of more than 200 FIFA member federations

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has been officially confirmed by FIFA as host of the 2034 World Cup in men’s soccer.
The Saudi bid was acclaimed by the applause of more than 200 FIFA member federations. They took part remotely in an online meeting hosted in Zurich on Wednesday by the soccer body’s president Gianni Infantino.
“The vote of the congress is loud and clear,” said Infantino, who had asked officials on a bank of screens to clap their hands at head level to show their support.
The decision was combined with approving the only candidate to host the 2030 World Cup. Spain, Portugal and Morocco will co-host in a six-nation project, with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay each getting one of the 104 games.
The South American connection will mark the centenary of Uruguay hosting the first World Cup in 1930.
 


No deal yet for Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy cricket format

No deal yet for Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy cricket format
Updated 11 December 2024
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No deal yet for Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy cricket format

No deal yet for Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy cricket format
  • Tournament hit a snag last month when India refused to allow its team to travel to Pakistan 
  • Stand-off means ICC is still unable to announce schedule for February 19 to March 19 event

KARACHI: The saga of next year’s cricket Champions Trophy drags on, with sources saying Thursday that no agreement has been reached on a proposed “hybrid” format allowing India to play their matches outside host nation Pakistan.
The nuclear-armed neighbors have fought three wars since being carved out of the subcontinent’s partition in 1947 and that rivalry is often reflected on the cricket field.
The eight-team tournament hit a snag last month when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) told the International Cricket Council (ICC) that their side would not compete in Pakistan over security fears and political tensions.
Sources speaking on condition of anonymity told AFP the PCB has agreed to the hybrid model — but only on condition that every ICC tournament taking place in India until 2027 follows the same format, with Pakistan not going to India.
Under the hybrid model, Pakistan will host the group matches but its high-profile clash with India will be played in Dubai.
The final would be held in Dubai or Lahore depending on whether the Indian side make it through.
But the BCCI is objecting to the tit-for-tat condition on its own hosting and to the proposal to play the final in Lahore if India do not qualify, the sources said.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is in Dubai, where the ICC has its headquarters, to finalize the arrangements, sources said.
The stand-off means the ICC is still unable to announce the schedule for the February 19 to March 19 event.
The arch-rivals only meet in ICC multi-national events, with the last bilateral series held when Pakistan toured India in 2012-13.
India last toured Pakistan to feature in the 2008 Asia Cup and have not played a bilateral series across the border for 18 years.
Pakistan were also forced to host last year’s Asia Cup on a hybrid model, with India’s matches and the final hosted in Sri Lanka.
India are set to co-host the next Twenty20 World Cup with Sri Lanka in 2026 in addition to the Champions Trophy in 2029 and co-host the 2031 World Cup with Bangladesh.
In the last few years, Pakistan has hosted the world’s top teams, emerging from cricketing isolation that began after a militant attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009 in Lahore.
Pakistan has not hosted an ICC event since the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.


Kasatkina returns for title challenge at 2025 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open

Kasatkina returns for title challenge at 2025 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open
Updated 11 December 2024
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Kasatkina returns for title challenge at 2025 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open

Kasatkina returns for title challenge at 2025 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open
  • The Russian star, beaten in the 2024 final, joins a star-studded line-up including Ons Jabeur, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Belinda Bencic and Paula Badosa

ABU DHABI: The 2024 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open runner-up, Daria Kasatkina, is back for another crack at the crown when the tournament returns to the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City, from Feb. 1-8.

The 27-year-old Russian overcame Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia in a third-set tiebreaker to reach this year’s final, before being beaten by Elena Rybakina.

Kasatkina, currently ranked ninth on the WTA Tour rankings, is enjoying a streak of good form having clinched the Ningo Open in China last month for her eighth Tour title.

She said: “I’m thrilled to be returning for another shot at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open title. Last year’s tournament was an incredible experience, competing in front of such passionate fans, and reaching the final was unforgettable.

“While on that occasion I came up short against a very strong opponent, it has only fueled my determination to go one step further this time. I’m feeling confident in my game, and I’m looking forward to competing once again in Abu Dhabi.”

The Russian will face a strong field, with several of the world’s elite players already announced. They include 2023 tournament winner Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, returning after the birth of her daughter.

Dubai resident and former World No. 2 Paula Badosa of Spain, currently 12th in the rankings, is also confirmed along with Haddad Maia, twice a losing semifinalist in Abu Dhabi. Fan favorite Ons Jabeur, will also take part again after reaching the quarterfinals this year.


LIV Golf’s Iron Heads acquire rising Korea star Yubin Jang

LIV Golf’s Iron Heads acquire rising Korea star Yubin Jang
Updated 11 December 2024
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LIV Golf’s Iron Heads acquire rising Korea star Yubin Jang

LIV Golf’s Iron Heads acquire rising Korea star Yubin Jang
  • Danny Lee and Jinichiro Kozuma return to the club for 2025 season after contract extensions

NEW YORK: Iron Heads Golf Club have announced the team’s finalized roster heading into the 2025 LIV Golf League season.

Following a valiant performance at the 2024 Team Championship in Dallas, the club has re-signed stalwart Danny Lee and budding talent Jinichiro Kozuma.

Rounding out Kevin Na’s team is the external acquisition of 22-year-old star, Yubin Jang, the No. 1 golfer from the Korean Tour.

Jang produced a dominant season finishing as the KPGA Money Leader and Genesis Points Champion, and first in Top 10 Finishes. The young gun is a three-time Korean Tour winner and won gold at the 2023 Asian Games.

“As a promising young talent from Korea, I’ve been following his career for years and have had my eye on him to join the team,” said Na, the Iron Heads captain.

“The Iron Heads needed young talent like his to push our veterans, and I’m confident he has what it takes to become a world-class golfer.

"Yubin’s presence shows young Korean golfers a clear path to competing globally against the best, and with an event in Korea this year, his addition is a major boost for our team. It’s an incredibly exciting time for Korean golf.”

Iron Heads Golf Club scripted one of the most memorable chapters in the short history of LIV Golf when, against all odds, they finished tied for second at the Team Championship in Dallas.

Fueled by both Lee and Kozuma, the unlikely finalists proved to be giant killers, taking down two seeded favorites in Smash GC (quarterfinals) and Crushers GC (semifinals).

Kozuma, the reigning Japanese Sansan KBC Augusta Champion, dropped a 3-meter birdie putt on the 18th hole to extend the match, prior to closing out the victory with a 9.1-meter for par on the first extra hole.

Lee, the 2023 LIV Golf Tucson champion, defeated the 2023 LIV Golf Individual Champion Talor Gooch and reigning US Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau in back-to-back singles matches en route to the finals.

“We’re thrilled to re-sign Danny and Jini, who were pivotal to our strong finish last season,” said Iron Heads Golf Club General Manager Martin Kim.

“Danny is a proven winner in this league with great energy and Jini’s emerging talent will be essential as we strive to become a contender at every event.

“I’m really loving our roster with the addition of our new young gun (Jang). It’s going to be a fun ride next season.”

This offseason, the team will have a two-week training camp in Palm Springs, California, prior to teeing off the season at LIV Golf Riyadh from Feb. 6 to 8.

Given LIV Golf’s recent market expansion for the 2025 season, the Iron Heads will look ahead to their own “home event” as they play host at LIV Golf Korea from May 2 to 4 at the iconic Jack Nicklaus Golf Club.


Hosting 2034 World Cup would be ‘wonderful opportunity’ for Saudi Arabia to show its hospitality, says Riyad Mahrez

Hosting 2034 World Cup would be ‘wonderful opportunity’ for Saudi Arabia to show its hospitality, says Riyad Mahrez
Updated 11 December 2024
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Hosting 2034 World Cup would be ‘wonderful opportunity’ for Saudi Arabia to show its hospitality, says Riyad Mahrez

Hosting 2034 World Cup would be ‘wonderful opportunity’ for Saudi Arabia to show its hospitality, says Riyad Mahrez
  • Al-Ahli’s Algerian star was speaking at Saudi Arabian Football Federation gathering on the eve of FIFA’s announcement of the host nation

JEDDAH: Al-Ahli’s Algerian international forward Riyad Mahrez says hosting the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia would be a ‘wonderful opportunity’ for the world to experience the Kingdom’s hospitality.

The Saudi Pro League star was speaking at a Saudi Arabian Football Federation meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday, where he met with aspiring players from regional training centers.

His comments come on the eve of FIFA’s announcement of the host country for the 2034 World Cup.

“Hosting the World Cup represents a wonderful opportunity for the world to witness the kindness and hospitality of the Saudi people,” Mahrez said.

The next two World Cup tournaments will be hosted by multiple nations. In 2026 it will be the US, Mexico and Canada, and in 2030 Morocco, Spain and Portugal.

“The World Cup (in Saudi Arabia) will bring the world together in one country,” Mahrez added. “Saudi Arabia is a large country capable of welcoming everyone and providing a wonderful experience.”

“I imagine that in 10 years it will be amazing for the whole world. I am very excited and looking forward to seeing all the future projects.”

The 33-year-old former Manchester City star also highlighted the nation’s football culture and natural beauty.

“I don’t think people realize how much passion there is for football in Saudi Arabia. There are many big clubs with a huge fan base,” he said. “You will not be able to imagine the beauty of Saudi Arabia until you come here and see for yourself.”