Gulf Giants end drought with commanding 6-wicket victory over Dubai Capitals 

Gulf Giants end drought with commanding 6-wicket victory over Dubai Capitals 
Jordan Cox of Gulf Giants plays a shot during Match 10 of the DP World International League T20 against the Dubai Capitals held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium (Deepak Malik/ILT20)
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Updated 19 January 2025
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Gulf Giants end drought with commanding 6-wicket victory over Dubai Capitals 

Gulf Giants end drought with commanding 6-wicket victory over Dubai Capitals 
  • Erasmus, Hetmyer shine as Giants chase down 166 with ease to register first win of DP World ILT20 season

DUBAI: The Gulf Giants notched up their first victory of their DP World ILT20 Season 3 campaign with a with a six-wicket triumph against the Dubai Capitals on Saturday evening.

Chasing 166, Gerhard Erasmus and Shimron Hetmyer put on a match-winning partnership of 80 runs in only 44 deliveries. Erasmus finished with an unbeaten 34-ball 50, while Hetmyer was also not out with 41 runs in just 20 balls, including four sixes. 

Batting first, the Dubai Capitals lost wickets at regular intervals, restricting them to 165/7 in 20 overs. Aayan Afzal Khan and Mark Adair led the Giants’ bowling attack with two-wicket hauls each. 

Adam Lyth wasted no time setting the tone for the Giants’ run chase, striking four boundaries and a six during an aggressive 32-run innings off just 17 deliveries. His knock ended in the eighth over, with Farhan Khan claiming his wicket. 

Earlier, James Vince fell for 10 runs in the fourth over, handing Obed McCoy the first breakthrough. The Capitals tightened their grip shortly after when Scott Kuggeleijn dismissed Ibrahim Zadran, putting the Giants under pressure with two early blows. 

Jordan Cox and Erasmus consolidated the innings with a 35-run stand. Cox was careful in his 27-run knock but perished attempting a big shot, caught by Olly Stone off Sikandar Raza’s bowling. The match was evenly poised with the Giants at 88/5 in 11.5 overs. 

With Hetmyer joining Erasmus in the middle, the Giants needed 48 runs in 30 balls. Erasmus reduced the pressure with a 12-run over against Obed McCoy in the 16th. Hetmyer followed it up with an 18-run over, including two sixes off Olly stone, to further the Giants’ cause. The pair then added 14 runs in the 18th over before Hetmyer smashed a six over mid-wicket to complete the run chase in 18.1 overs. 

Earlier in the evening, the Dubai Capitals had a mixed start to their innings, losing both openers in the powerplay despite aggressive intent. Shai Hope fell for 11 runs to Blessing Muzarabani, while Ben Dunk looked dangerous during his 28-run knock, which included three fours and two sixes, before being dismissed by Uzair Khan. 

Aayan Afzal Khan was lethal as he struck in the eighth over, claiming Brandon McMullen’s wicket for 11 runs, leaving the Capitals in further trouble. Raza and Rovman Powell then steadied the innings with a valuable 45-run stand off 32 balls. Raza took down Tymal Mills for four consecutive boundaries in the 11th over. However, neither batter could capitalize on their starts — Raza departed for 28, courtesy of Wahidullah Zadran, while Powell’s knock of 25 was cut short by Aayan Afzal Khan as well, to leave the Capitals at 121/5 in 15.1 overs.

Gulbadin Naib added 15 runs in the death overs before falling to Adair, who struck twice in quick succession by also dismissing Kuggeleijn. Dasun Shanaka’s late blitz proved essential, as his 20-ball cameo of 33, featuring three sixes, lifted the Capitals to a respectable 165/7 in their allotted 20 overs. 

Player of the Match Erasmus said: “We were raring to get our first win, having lost the first few. When you know you have quality around you, you know you have a bit more time. I think teams can often get tense when you’re not getting your first win, but we came together and created positive energy and that went a long way in helping us express ourselves out there. I have special memories in this ground with the Namibian team as well.” 

Dubai Capitals captain Raza said: “It was a little bit more like a Sharjah wicket I felt. The way Erasmus and Hetmyer were batting, even 170 wouldn’t have been enough. Sometimes we doze off here and there and it has cost us a couple games. In the DP World ILT20 anybody can beat anybody.” 

 

Brief Scores  

Gulf Giants beat Dubai Capitals by six wickets. 

 

Dubai Capitals 165/7 in 20 overs (Dasun Shanaka 33 not out, Sikandar Raza 28, Ben Dunk 28, Aayan Afzal Khan 2 for 12, Mark Adair 2 for 39) 

Gulf Giants 168/4 in 18.1 overs (Gerhard Erasmus 50 not out, Shimron Hetmyer 41 not out, Adam Lyth 32, Farhan Khan 1 for 14, Sikandar Raza 1 for 31) 

Player of the Match: Gerhard Erasmus 


Students participate in FIA Girls on Track events at Formula E Championship in Jeddah

Students participate in FIA Girls on Track events at Formula E Championship in Jeddah
Updated 15 February 2025
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Students participate in FIA Girls on Track events at Formula E Championship in Jeddah

Students participate in FIA Girls on Track events at Formula E Championship in Jeddah
  • Workshops, pit lane walk and Gaming Arena activations took place ahead of the first Jeddah E-Prix

JEDDAH: Ahead of the first Jeddah E-Prix, the FIA, Formula E management and participating teams and partners took part in several events at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit to educate and inspire 120 young local girls.

The FIA Girls On Track initiative is designed to increase female participation in Formula E. Young women from the ages of 12 to 18 are invited to discover, for free, different aspects of the motorsport industry.

The activities, which took place on Friday ahead of the races that night, on offer included career talks, a walkthrough of the pit lane, activations in the Gaming Arena, and partner workshops led by inspirational women from within the paddock.

In addition to the on-site events, Formula E co-hosted a panel discussion at the University of Business and Technology (UBT) with the Nissan Formula E Team. The attending group of 70 selected UBT students heard from an expert panel from the FIA.

Questions posed by the students covered the inaugural Jeddah E-Prix, race week operations, sustainable racing, diversity initiatives, and Formula E’s continued focus on innovation.

Speaking about the initiative, Julia Pallé, VP of Sustainability, Formula E, said: “These programs and initiatives benefit the people in our host communities and the wider environment where we race. This weekend here in Jeddah, we continue to make sure our race weekend is delivered to the highest possible sustainability standards, while championing and supporting equity, community and environmental action.”

Laiali Al-Zahrani, an 18-year-old Saudi student who took part in the event, told Arab News: “The experience was incredible. We got to meet some of the drivers, meet amazing people, and learn how members of the team work together in order to win. We learned how teamwork is so important. We also learned how communication and organization are important to make things efficient and safe.”


Tennis superstar Sinner accepts 3-month ban to end doping drama

Tennis superstar Sinner accepts 3-month ban to end doping drama
Updated 15 February 2025
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Tennis superstar Sinner accepts 3-month ban to end doping drama

Tennis superstar Sinner accepts 3-month ban to end doping drama
  • Jannik Sinner’s long doping saga came to an end on Saturday after he agreed to a three-month ban from tennis

MILAN:Jannik Sinner’s long doping saga came to an end on Saturday after he agreed to a three-month ban from tennis, the world number admitting “partial responsibility” for team mistakes which led to him twice testing positive for traces of clostebol in March last year.
The February 9 to May 4 suspension means Sinner will be free to play in the French Open, the second Grand Slam of the season, which begins on May 25 at Roland Garros.
In a statement, Sinner said that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accepted that he “had no intent and did not derive any competitive advantage from the two positive tests” of the banned substance.
Australian Open champion Sinner has always said that clostebol entered his system when his physiotherapist used a spray containing it to treat a cut before providing a massage and sports therapy.
“This case had been hanging over me now for nearly a year and the process still had a long time to run with a decision maybe only at the end of the year,” Sinner said.
“I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and realize WADA’s strict rules are an important protection for the sport I love. On that basis I have accepted WADA’s offer to resolve these proceedings on the basis of a three-month sanction.”
WADA said separately that “Sinner did not intend to cheat” but that he would serve his suspension as he is responsible for the actions of his entourage.
Sport’s global doping watchdog confirmed it was withdrawing its appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which was due to hear the case in April.
The agreement between Sinner and WADA also means that Sinner will be able to play in front of his home fans at the Rome Open which kicks off just after the end of his suspension and is the last big clay court tournament before Roland Garros.
Saturday’s announcement brings to an end a controversy which has followed Sinner everywhere just as he rose to became the top player in men’s tennis and a multiple Slam winner.


Sinner was facing a potential ban of two years after WADA appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against his initial exoneration by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, announced in August.
The positive tests were not intially made public while the ITIA investigation was ongoing and Sinner had been allowed to carry on playing after successfully appealing provisional suspensions.
“We were satisfied that the player had established the source of the prohibited substance and that the breach was unintentional. Today’s outcome supports this finding,” said the ITIA on Saturday.
The ITIA’s initial ruling caused uproar among a section of the men’s tour, with outspoken Australian player Nick Kyrgios calling it “ridiculous” and pouring scorn on Sinner’s explanation for the contamination.
It was made public just days before last year’s US Open, which Sinner subsequently won to claim his second Grand Slam after breaking his major tournament duck at the previous Australian Open.
Sinner then successfully defended his title at Melbourne Park last month, becoming just the fourth man to do so since the turn of the century alongside tennis icons Andre Agassi, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
By that point he had confirmed his status as national hero in Italy by winning the ATP Finals in Turin and then starring in his country’s second straight Davis Cup triumph.
Sinner had previously been viewed with some suspicion in the Mediterranean nation due his origins in the German-speaking areas of the South Tyrol and residence in Monaco, which led to local media and former tennis players casting doubt on whether he was Italian at all.
But he is now Italy’s biggest sports star after surging to the top of the sport ahead of Spain’s golden boy Carlos Alcaraz, himself a four-time Slam champion at the age of 21.


Mexican flavour at LIV’s Adelaide stop as Rahm lurks

Mexican flavour at LIV’s Adelaide stop as Rahm lurks
Updated 15 February 2025
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Mexican flavour at LIV’s Adelaide stop as Rahm lurks

Mexican flavour at LIV’s Adelaide stop as Rahm lurks
  • Mexican pair Abraham Ancer and Carlos Ortiz joined Sam Horsfield in a three-way share of the lead at LIV Golf’s Adelaide stop on Saturday, with major champion Jon Rahm lurking four shots off the pace

ADELAIDE: Mexican pair Abraham Ancer and Carlos Ortiz joined Sam Horsfield in a three-way share of the lead at LIV Golf’s Adelaide stop on Saturday, with major champion Jon Rahm lurking four shots off the pace.
Ancer nailed six birdies to a bogey in a five-under-par 67 in front of bumper crowds at a blustery Grange Golf Club, while his compatriot mixed five birdies and a bogey in his 68.
British overnight leader Horsfield birdied the last to card a 69 and ensure he stayed in the hunt heading into the final day, with all three nine-under after 36 holes.
“I just tried to stay patient and hit as many greens as possible. I knew the putter was feeling good,” said Ancer, who is gunning for a second LIV title after winning in Hong Kong last year.
“I have a lot of confidence when the greens are rolling nice and firm and fast, so I just try to put the ball in play and don’t get in too much trouble because you can make a lot of bogeys out here, especially with this wind.”
Ortiz, who is also looking for a second tour win after victory at Tucson in 2023, said the conditions were tough.
“I thought it was tricky. It was just a matter of keeping in play,” said Ortiz.
“Same thing tomorrow. Just try to put it in play and then give myself chances.”
The trio are three clear of Chile’s Joaquin Niemann and four ahead of Rahm, who birdied his final two holes, including a sensational chip-in from the bunker.
Fellow major champions Brooks Koepka and Henrik Stenson are a stroke further back.
Once again, bumper crowds produced a carnival atmosphere at the circuit’s most successful event, with more than 100,000 fans expected through the gates over the three-day tournament.
Former US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau and Niemann went to the turn in the lead.
But while Niemann kept his focus, DeChambeau imploded with five bogeys on the back nine to end six off the pace.
The LIV Tour’s 14-stop 2025 campaign teed off last week in Riyadh, where Adrian Meronk won the individual title and Rahm’s Legion XIII the team crown.


Al-Hilal slip up again following draw with Al-Riyadh

Al-Hilal slip up again following draw with Al-Riyadh
Updated 15 February 2025
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Al-Hilal slip up again following draw with Al-Riyadh

Al-Hilal slip up again following draw with Al-Riyadh
  • More ground lost in Saudi Pro League chase

RIYADH: Al-Hilal drew 1-1 with Al-Riyadh on Friday to slump to a second successive draw and lose ground on Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.

Just six days after drawing 2-2 with Damac, the champions could not find a way to victory and they could fall four points behind Al-Ittihad if the Tigers win on Saturday.

It could have been worse as Al-Hilal could have been more than one goal down at the break.

Mohamed Konate hit the back of the net after 24 minutes. Sekou Lega swung over a beautiful cross from the left and Konate rose high in the area to head past Yassine Bounou. The effort, however, was ruled out for offside.

Konate did net in first-half added time, though, to give the visitors the lead. He ran onto a long ball, chested the ball down on the edge of the penalty area, and then lifted his shot into the back of the net with the classiest of finishes.

Al-Hilal’s players trudged off at the break with manager Jorge Jesus looking less than impressed.

The second half proved better for the hosts but Al-Riyadh had the ball in the net again just before the hour. This time it was Lega who finished smartly in the area but, once more, VAR intervened and it was no goal.

Just moments later, Al-Hilal were level with the sweetest of strikes. Marcos Leonardo’s defense-splitting pass found Salem Al-Dawsari arriving from the left and the winger took one touch inside the area and then slipped the ball past the goalkeeper with ease.

There was more pressure from the home team but they could not quite find the all-important winning goal.

Chances were missed but the home team seemed to have been given a route to victory when Abdulelah Al-Khaibari was ruled to have handled in the box. Referee Ivan Barton pointed to the spot but his decision was reversed following a VAR review.

That was that and Al-Hilal’s mini-slump continued.


Guenther clinches victory with last-ditch move at first Jeddah E-Prix race

Guenther clinches victory with last-ditch move at first Jeddah E-Prix race
Updated 15 February 2025
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Guenther clinches victory with last-ditch move at first Jeddah E-Prix race

Guenther clinches victory with last-ditch move at first Jeddah E-Prix race
  • Nissan’s Oliver Rowland beaten by dramatic last-lap charge

JEDDAH: Maximilian Guenther secured victory in the inaugural Jeddah E-Prix, overtaking Nissan’s Oliver Rowland at the last corner to claim his first win for DS Penske in round three of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

Guenther, who started from pole position for the first time since Jakarta 2023, initially led the race but lost places as drivers navigated Formula E’s debut Pit Boost mandatory pit stops.

Rowland, Taylor Barnard, and Mahindra Racing’s Nyck de Vries capitalized on early energy deployment, while Guenther took a more measured approach, conserving power for a late-race push.

That patience paid off. Setting the fastest lap on lap 27, the German driver fought back to second place before launching a dramatic last-lap charge. With a slight energy advantage, he seized his moment on the final chicane, making a decisive move to snatch victory from Rowland just before the chequered flag.

Guenther said: “This means everything to me. It’s the first win with my new team, DS Penske. It was a lot of hard work, a big race but an amazing outcome for us. We lost quite a few places around the pit stop window, but we just stayed calm and did our race. I didn’t expect to come back all the way.

“I thought a podium would have been good, but to do it in the end and to win it is an extra special feeling. I didn’t want to leave it until the last corner but there was no other option — Oli was doing a mega job today, a great race. I believed until the end.”

The victory marked Guenther’s first win since Tokyo last season and broke a 17-race streak in which the pole sitter had failed to convert the start into a victory.

Rowland, despite his disappointment, moved to the top of the Drivers’ Championship standings with 43 points, ahead of Antonio Felix da Costa. Porsche lead the Teams’ Championship by a slim three-point margin over DS Penske, while Nissan top the Manufacturers’ table.

Rowland said: “We had a plan before the race and we executed it pretty well. I’m a little bit disappointed because when I had such a gap, if I’d under-consumed a bit I’d have had enough energy to defend from Max. He caught me napping a little bit and I couldn’t do much in the last corner. Nevertheless, we scored some great points and on to tomorrow.”

NEOM McLaren’s Barnard completed the podium, celebrating a strong third-place finish after starting from P4.

He said: “Starting from P4, a podium was always my hope, but you never know how the race is going to play out. It was the first Pit Boost race as well, so to know that we’ve done the procedure that well as a team, I couldn’t be happier to be P3.”

With round four set to take place in Jeddah on Saturday, the championship battle remains fiercely competitive as the season continues to deliver thrills.