DP World ILT20 Development Tournament 2025 Opens with Edge-of-the-Seat Matches
Dubai, 26 August 2025 – The third edition of the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament kicked off at Dubai’s ICC Academy, delivering high-voltage cricket as Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, and Gulf Giants claimed dramatic wins in tightly contested matches.
Dubai Capitals Development Edge Gulf Giants in a Nail-Biter
On Monday evening, Dubai Capitals Development clinched a five-run win over Gulf Giants Development.
- Dubai Capitals Development: 163/10 in 18.4 overs
- Top scores: Muhammad Irfan 68, Sohaib Khan 35
- Best bowling: Zahid Ali 4/18, Ajay Kumar 3/29
- Gulf Giants Development: 158/9 in 20 overs
- Top scorer: Jonathan Figy 67
- Key bowlers: Abdulrahman Nasir Riaz 3/18, Muhammad Irfan 2/15, Zeeshan Naseer 2/35
Despite a fighting 67 from Jonathan Figy, the Giants couldn’t chase down the target as Dubai Capitals held their nerves.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Overcome Sharjah Warriorz
In another high-stakes contest, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development defeated Sharjah Warriorz Development by four wickets.
- Sharjah Warriorz Development: 169/7
- Top scorer: Mohit Kalyan 34
- Wicket-takers: Usaid Amin 3/26, Sanchit Sharma 2/38
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development: 170/6
- Star batter: Ali Abid 80*
- Key bowler: Haider Razzaq 3/36
Ali Abid’s aggressive 80* with five sixes steered the Knight Riders to victory despite early wickets.
Gulf Giants Snatch Last-Ball Win Against MI Emirates
The Gulf Giants Development staged a spectacular finish, winning by two wickets over MI Emirates Development.
- MI Emirates Development: 192/6
- Half-centuries: Aryan Saxena 65, Vishnu Sukumaran 51, Vriitya Aravind 36
- Key bowler: Mohd. Uzair Khan 2/26
- Gulf Giants Development: 196/8
- Star performance: Muhammad Aftab Alam 72
- Supporting batters: Jonathan Figy 60*, Hameed Khan 29
- Match-winning bowling: Faraaz Uddin 4/14
Aftab Alam’s explosive 72 off 34 balls sealed the dramatic victory with a boundary on the last delivery.
Desert Vipers Claim Thrilling Season Opener
The tournament opener saw Desert Vipers Development edge Dubai Capitals Development by a single wicket.
- Dubai Capitals Development: 210/6
- Top scorers: Khalid Shah 69, Muhammad Irfan 53*
- Bowling highlights: Zeeshan Naseer 3/26, Hafiz Almas Ayub 2/21
- Desert Vipers Development: 211/9
- Match-turner: Taimoor Ali 59*
- Supporting innings: Tanish Suri 35, Sanjay Pahal 35
Trailing at 79/6, the Vipers staged an incredible comeback, scoring 45 runs in the final two overs.
Quick Scores Snapshot
| Match | Result | Key Batters | Key Bowlers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Capitals vs Gulf Giants | Capitals won by 5 runs | Irfan 68, Figy 67 | Zahid Ali 4/18, Riaz 3/18 |
| Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Sharjah Warriorz | Knight Riders won by 4 wickets | Ali Abid 80*, Mohit Kalyan 34 | Haider Razzaq 3/36, Amin 3/26 |
| Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates | Giants won by 2 wickets | Alam 72, Figy 60* | Faraaz Uddin 4/14 |
| Desert Vipers vs Dubai Capitals | Vipers won by 1 wicket | Taimoor Ali 59*, Irfan 53* | Zeeshan Naseer 3/26 |
- Multiple last-ball finishes highlight intense competition among rising cricket talents.
- Standout individual performances include Taimoor Ali, Muhammad Aftab Alam, and Ali Abid.
- The early rounds set a thrilling tone for the rest of the ILT20 Development Tournament 2025.
