Video interviews of the players are available here
Dubai, 17 December, 2025: The DP World ILT20, under the aegis of the Emirates Cricket Board, has continued to deliver meaningful progress through its Player Development Initiative. Seven emerging cricketers from African ICC Associate Members are gaining hands-on experience within franchises during Season 4.
Charles’ 77 runs complemented Raza’s all-round performance role in an important win
Tickets for DP World ILT20 Season 4 can be purchased from the ticketing platform Virgin Megastore – link: tickets.ilt20.ae
For photos from DP World ILT20 Season 4, click here
Sikandar Raza of Sharjah Warriorz bowls during Match 14 of the DP World International League T20 between the MI Emirates and the Sharjah Warriorz, held at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on 14th December 2025.
Former head coach of Gulf Giants, now part of the star-studded commentators’ panel at DP World ILT20, Andy Flower praised the tournament’s role in expanding cricket in the Gulf region
Tickets for DP World ILT20 Season 4 can be purchased from the ticketing platform Virgin Megastore – link: tickets.ilt20.ae
For photos from DP World ILT20 Season 4, click here
Dubai, 12 December 2025: Zimbabwe cricket legend, seasoned coach and DP World ILT20 commentator Andy Flower, has applauded the league’s efforts of nurturing cricket talent across the Gulf countries and bringing world-class players to the region’s cricket stage.
Flower, who coached the Gulf Giants to the title in the inaugural season, reflected on the glory and said, “It’s been great to be here from the inception. Winning it in the first year with the Giants was special, not just because it was DP World ILT20’s first season, but also as the first major venture of the Adani family into professional cricket.
Tanveer’s 4/10 and Curran- Holden’s partnership downed the Gulf Giants
Tickets for DP World ILT20 Season 4 can be purchased from the ticketing platform Virgin Megastore – link: tickets.ilt20.ae
For photos from DP World ILT20 Season 4, click here
Dubai, 12 December 2025: A brilliant performance by the Desert Vipers earned them a fifth straight win in the DP World ILT20 Season 4 as they beat the Gulf Giants by eight wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday. Led by an incredible powerplay by Khuzaima Tanveer, where he grabbed four wickets, Sam Curran and Max Holden’s unbeaten 123-run partnership made light work of the Gulf Giants’ target.
Max Holden of Desert Vipers raises his bat after scoring a fifty during Match 12 of the DP World International League T20 between the Gulf Giants and the Desert Vipers, held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on 12th December 2025.
Aayan Khan logged impressive figures of 3/17 to limit the Warriorz to 157/6 as he became the first UAE player to win the Player of the Match award this season
The Giants chased down the target on the back of contributions from Gurbaz, Vince and Omarzai
Tickets for DP World ILT20 Season 4 can be purchased from the ticketing platform Virgin Megastore – link: tickets.ilt20.ae
For photos from DP World ILT20 Season 4, click here
Dwaine Pretorius of Sharjah Warriorz during the Super Over in Match 8 of the DP World International League T20 between the Desert Vipers and the Gulf Giants, held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on 8 December 2025.
Photo by CREIMAS / ILT20
RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE
Dubai, December 11 2025: An incisive spell from Aayan Khan set up the Gulf Giants for a six-wicket victory against the Sharjah Warriorz at the Dubai International Stadium. The UAE spinner’s three-wicket haul held the Warriorz at 157/6 in the first innings before Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s half-century and Azmatullah Omarzai’s cameo sealed the win.
The Warriorz slipped to their third straight defeat of DP World ILT20 Season 4, while the Giants notched their third win in four games to remain firmly in second place on the points table.
In the second innings, the Giants launched an explosive assault through Gurbaz (50 off 36) and Vince (35 off 28). The pair set the tone immediately, plundering 21 runs off Wasim Akram in the second over. Their aggressive intent was clear as they smoked five sixes during the powerplay, racing to 73/0 and effectively putting the Giants miles ahead in the chase.
It looked like the Giants were cruising when Vince departed off Sikandar Raza in the eighth over. But the Warriorz bowling unit led by Raza and Rashid did a remarkable job of curbing the Giants, with only 48 runs coming between the sixth and 16th over.
Moeen Ali partnered Gurbaz through a tougher middle phase, but his innings was cut short when Rashid castled him in the 13th. Gurbaz was forced to tone down the aggression as he crossed the fifty mark in 34 balls. He had thumped four sixes on his way there but fell to Sikandar Raza in search of the fifth.
The Giants needed 47 runs in 39 balls when Gerhard Erasmus (15 off 18) and Azmatullah Omarzai (28 off 21) came together. The pair could not find the boundaries as often as they liked, with the equation coming down to eight runs required in six balls.
Omarzai launched Southee for a six in the final over, before he perished on the next ball, but he had done enough for the Giants to win with two balls to spare.
The Warriorz had a steady powerplay even after Tom Kohler-Cadmore (7 off 8) was removed by Mark Adair in the third over. Johnson Charles (36 off 32) and Kusal Mendis (23 off 15) steered the Warriorz to 48/1 by the end of the fielding restrictions.
Charles led the way with four fours and a six, while Mendis also struck a four and a six as the pair combined for 32 runs in 28 balls.
The Giants spinners dominated the middle phase of the innings as Aayan Khan sliced through with an exceptional spell of 3/17 in four overs. Aayan removed the well-settled pair of Charles and Mendis, followed by Tim David (19 off 14) to leave the Warriorz reeling at 94/4 in 13.3 overs.
Liam Dawson complemented Aayan’s brilliance with a miserly spell of 1/21, claiming Sikandar Raza (3 off 7) in his four economical overs. The innings slipped further when Mark Adair returned to end Shubham Ranjane’s (17 off 21) contribution at 119/6 in the 18th over.
However, Dwaine Pretorius (36 off 17) lifted the innings. He launched a ferocious counter-attack alongside Adil Rashid (12 off 6), plundering 36 runs in just 16 balls. Pretorius carved two fours and two sixes as the duo took Omarzai for 20 runs in the penultimate over.
Player of the Match Aayan Khan said: “It was a spinning pitch and I’m happy to take a few wickets. Bowling four overs felt really good. I hadn’t bowled for a few games, so it was nice to get the ball again. This match was good for me, and it feels great to be here receiving this award.”
Captain of the Sharjah Warriorz, Tim Southee said: “The last two matches, we’ve been in it till the end. Tonight was a good effort to take it that deep after the powerplay. Going 0–3 is not where we want to be, but we have a chance in a couple of days to put that right. There was a bit of dew, but on that wicket you needed quality spinners who could take the game deep. The spinners bowled really well and gave us a chance at the end.”
Brief Scores
Gulf Giants beat Sharjah Warriorz by six wickets
Sharjah Warriorz 157/6 in 20 overs (Dwaine Pretorius 36, Johnson Charles 36, Tim David 19, Aayan Khan 3 for 17, Mark Adair 2 for 22, Liam Dawson 1 for 22)
Gulf Giants 158/4 in 19.4 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 50, James Vince 35, Azmatullah Omarzai 28, Sikandar Raza 2 for 20, Adil Rashid 1 for 21)
UAE News 24/7 