Dubai, : The third edition of the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament continued at the ICC Academy in Dubai, with the region’s most promising cricketers showcasing their skills. Saturday’s action saw MI Emirates Development defeat Desert Vipers Development, while the evening game between Dubai Capitals Development and Sharjah Warriorz Development was abandoned due to technical breakdown of the floodlights. On Friday, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development beat Dubai Capitals Development, and Sharjah Warriorz Development defeated Gulf Giants Development.
Saturday’s first fixture saw MI Emirates Development beat Desert Vipers Development by 11 runs (DLS Method) after the game was shortened due to floodlight breakdown. Batting first, the Vipers posted 193/7 in 20 overs, led by an 82-run partnership between Danny Pawson (54 off 30) and Mayank (36 off 34). Basil Hameed (31 off 15) and Khuzaima Tanveer (19 off 9) provided quick runs towards the end, while Mohammad Mohsin (2/25) and Rizwan CP (2/24) stood out with the ball for MI Emirates.
In reply, MI Emirates raced to 58/2 by the end of the powerplay. Opener Aryan Saxena (29 off 22) looked dangerous, while Lovepreet Singh (43 off 29) smashed three sixes and a four before missing out on a half-century. Vishnu Sukumaran (23* off 16) had made a strong start before play was halted after 14.3 overs, with the score at 142/4, the DLS calculation awarded MI Emirates the win.
Saturday’s second fixture, between Dubai Capitals Development and Sharjah Warriorz Development was abandoned without a single ball bowled. Both teams were awarded a point each.
On Friday, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development defeated Dubai Capitals Development by seven wickets. Batting first, the Capitals were rolled for 152 in 19.5 overs. Luqman Faisal (45 off 35) and Sohaib Khan (29 off 26) were the only batters to cross the 20-run mark, while Ankur Sangwan impressed with 3/16 and Ibrar Ahmad supported with 2/31 to keep the Capitals in check.
Chasing the target, the Knight Riders made light work of the total in 18.3 overs. Ronak Panoly’s (19 off 11) early assault ended quickly, but Sagar Kalyan turned the innings on its head with a blistering 79 off 51, including 11 fours and two sixes, before departing in the 16th over. Muhammad Shahdad (24* off 30) and Syed Haider Shah (24* off 15) then remained unbeaten to finish the job. Capitals’ Awais Shah was a bright spot for his side, returning 2/13 in four overs.
In another fixture on Friday, Sharjah Warriorz Development clinched a five-wicket win over Gulf Giants Development. Batting first, the Giants were restricted to 124 in 19.5 overs. Wasim Akram (5/26) produced a sensational spell that claimed both openers and then delivered a hattrick to mop up the tail. Meanwhile, Haider Razzaq (2/19) was yet again amongst the wickets. Skipper, Jonathan Figy (52 off 48) put together a fighting 56-run stand with Nawodya Wijayakumara (29 off 23), but it wasn’t enough to lift the Giants.
In pursuit, the Warriorz had a shaky start. Zahid Ali (3/26) picked up three wickets in the powerplay to leave them wobbling at 36/3. It was Raees Ahmed’s unbeaten knock that turned the tide, plundering 68 runs in 36 balls with five fours and sixes. He was supported by Yassir Kaleem (22 off 16) and Mohit Kalyan (11 off 6) as the Warriorz breached the target in 13.5 overs
Brief Scores
Dubai Capitals Development vs Sharjah Warriorz Development – Match abandoned
MI Emirates Development defeated Desert Vipers Development by 11 runs (DLS Method)
Desert Vipers Development 193/7 in 20 overs (Danny Pawson 54, Mayank 36, Basil Hameed 31; Mohammad Mohsin 2 for 25, Rizwan CP 2 for 24) MI Emirates Development 142/4 in 14.3 overs (Lovepreet Singh 43, Aryan Saxena 29, Vishnu Sukumaran 23*)
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development defeated Dubai Capitals Development by seven wickets
Dubai Capitals Development 152 in 19.5 overs (Luqman Faisal 45, Sohaib Khan 29; Ankur Sangwan 3 for 16, Ibrar Ahmad 2 for 31) Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development 153/3 in 18.3 overs (Sagar Kalyan 79, Muhammad Shahdad 24*, Syed Haider Shah 24*; Awais Shah 2 for 15)
Sharjah Warriorz Development defeated Gulf Giants Development by five wickets
Gulf Giants Development 124/10 in 19.5 overs (Jonathan Figy 52, Nawodya Wijayakumara 29; Wasim Akram 5 for 26, Haider Razzaq 2 for 19) Sharjah Warriorz Development 125/5 in 13.5 overs (Raees Ahmed 68*, Yassir Kaleem 22, Mohit Kalyan 11; Zahid Ali 3 for 21)
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