International Sports
ILT20: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders defeat Gulf Giants by 37 runs
It was a tough outing for the Giants batters as they lost both openers in the powerplay

The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders clinched their second victory of the DP World ILT20 Season 3, defeating the Gulf Giants by 37 runs at a packed Dubai International Stadium on Sunday evening.
Despite Aayan Afzal Khan’s shrewd four-wicket haul for just 16 runs, which set a new record for the best figures by a UAE player in DP World ILT20 history, the Knight Riders posted 176/9, buoyed by Michael Pepper’s half-century.
Ibrar Ahmad, Jason Holder and Ali Khan each bagged two wickets to keep the Giants at bay.
It was a tough outing for the Giants batters as they lost both openers in the powerplay. Adam Lyth was scalped by David Willey in the first over, while skipper James Vince who looked in good form, miscued off Ibrar Ahmad for 14 runs in the fourth over.
At 40/2 by the end of the powerplay, the Giants were falling well behind the equation. The innings unraveled further as Jordan Cox departed for 10 runs and Ibrahim Zadran was bowled by Sunil Narine after he had worked hard for 24 runs in 22 balls.
At the ten-over mark, the Giants were wobbling at 62/4. The onus was on Gerhard Erasmus and Shimron Hetmyer to steer another run chase but it was not to be. Hetmyer had made 20 runs in 15 balls before he holed out to Sunil Narine off Super Sub Ali Khan. Jason Holder then removed Gerhard Erasmus after the Namibian had accumulated 24 runs in 23 balls to leave the score at 96/6 in 14.1 overs
The target proved too steep as Holder claimed his second wicket through Mark Adair for 19 runs as the Giants finished proceedings at 139/8.
In the first innings, an exciting powerplay for the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders treated the fans to runs and wickets, finishing the phase at 60/2. Kyle Mayers and Andries Gous took the initiative racing to 19 and 17 runs respectively, in 12 balls each. The assault was halted when Tymal Mills castled Kyle Mayers in the fourth over and Gous was caught behind off Wahidullah Zadran in the fifth over.
Coming at number four, Michael Pepper took flight early in the innings, creaming Mark Adair for three consecutive boundaries. Pepper went on to log a 31-ball fifty including six fours and a six. Along with the support of Joe Clarke, the pair built a 50-run partnership in 33 balls.
It looked like the Knight Riders were on track for a massive total until Aayan Afzal Khan turned the tide, returning enviable figures of 4 for 16 – the best figures for a UAE player in the DP World ILT20 (the previous record holder was Zuhaib Zuhair with 4 for 22 for Gulf Giants against Sharjah Warriorz in 2024).
Aayan opened his account when he cleaned up Joe Clarke for 24 runs in the 11th over. He followed it up with the wickets of Alishan Sharafu, Andrew Russell and Sunil Narine, of whom only Andre Russell made it to double figures with 12 runs. At the end of Aayan’s spell, the Knight Riders were at 131/6 in 15 overs.
In the death overs, Pepper was caught behind off Mark Adair for 57 runs, while Laurie Evans, Jason Holder and David Willey made small contributions. Blessing Muzarabani snatched two wickets in Evans and Holder as the Knight Riders finished proceedings at 176/9.
Player of the Match, Michael Pepper said: "When I went in, when the ball was hard, it came on nicely. Not too much bounce in the wicket. Through the innings, it got slower and slower and started turning a little bit more. There is a lot of instinct that goes in, waiting for your areas and then going from there. We have a long batting order; everyone can hit it out of the ground, but it still must be the batters that score runs”
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders captain, Sunil Narine said: "We were always thinking two steps ahead and there were more hands on deck. We could have gone closer to 200 after our start. Losing wickets in clusters denied us and that is something we can work on moving ahead. Our batting depth, it is a good problem. You have players batting down the order who might be playing higher otherwise. The guys are willing, and it is about them trying to make the best of whatever position they get."
Monday’s match
Dubai Capitals will take on Desert Vipers on Monday, January 20, at the Dubai International Stadium at 7pm.
The match will be broadcast live across Afghanistan by Ariana Television.
A pre-match program will start at t live on Ariana Television from 7pm. The pre-match show will start at 6.30pm Kabul time.
The full broadcasting schedule is as below:
International Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates 40th birthday, won’t retire yet
Showing no signs of retiring, or even slowing down, the Portugal captain has just recently increased his record number of goals to 923

Cristiano Ronaldo, who is arguably one of the greatest soccer players of all times, celebrated his 40th birthday on Wednesday.
Showing no signs of retiring, or even slowing down, the Portugal captain has just recently increased his record number of goals to 923.
Ronaldo scored twice for Al Nassr, to propel his team to a 4-0 triumph over Al Wasl on Monday, in an Asian Champions League match.
It was his 700th club career win.
Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the best players of all time. In his mind, he also believes he has little competition for that title.
"I honestly haven't seen anyone better than me," the Al Nassr forward told El Chiringuito TV in a recent interview.
"I believe I am the most complete player that has ever existed. I do everything in football."
Indeed, if one takes his achievements and longevity into consideration, then he is indeed one of the greatest players ever.
Ronaldo, who started his professional career at Sporting CP in 2002 before moving to Manchester United one year later, has won 33 senior titles.
He has lifted five Champions League crowns, including four during his nine-year spell at Real Madrid.
"I'm so competitive that many times I forget what I've achieved as it gives me motivation to do more and be better every year," Ronaldo said.
"I think that is the difference with others. Somebody else in my position would have left football 10 years ago. I continue with that passion. I'm different."
Ronaldo, who has won five Ballon d'Ors and two FIFA the Best awards, said he isn't ready to stop.
Cristiano Ronaldo has 923 goals and hopes to reach 1000 before he retires. Y
"I could honestly end my career now and I wouldn't have any regrets," he said.
"It would be a pity, however, because I'm still very well, I still make a difference. I can continue making a difference for one or two years more," ESPN reported.
It remains to be seen if Ronaldo will reach the 1000 career goal mark.
"It would be great, but if it doesn't come, I'm already the player in history with the most goals," Ronaldo said.
"To score goals is the best sensation in the world and the most difficult thing in football."
Among his many achievements, Ronaldo captained Portugal to Euro 2016 glory, and to the inaugural UEFA Nations League three years later.
He is the men's all-time leading scorer in international football with 135 goals and holds the world record for most appearances at 217.
Ronaldo is the only player to have featured in six European Championships. He is the record goal scorer in the history of the competition with 14 goals, ESPN reported.
The former Juventus star scored a Saudi Pro League record 35 goals in his first full campaign at Al Nassr last season and was named the Best Middle East Player of 2024 at the recent Globe Soccer Awards.
International Sports
ILT20 moves into play-off stage of 2025 season
The first qualifier, on Wednesday, will see Desert Vipers take on Dubai Capitals in Dubai

After 30 electrifying matches filled with edge-of-seat thrillers, and unforgettable moments, the DP World ILT20 has moved into its qualifier stage of the season.
From Wednesday, February 5, the four remaining teams will battle it out for the title.
The first qualifier, on Wednesday, will see Desert Vipers take on Dubai Capitals in Dubai.
On Thursday, MI Emirates will lock horns with Sharjah Warriorz in the Eliminator. This match will be played in Abu Dhabi.
The loser of the first qualifier will then take on the winner of the eliminator on Friday in Sharjah.
The high-stakes final will play out on Sunday, February 9, in Dubai.
Pakistan bowling legend and former captain Wasim Akram this week predicted a Desert Vipers win.
Vipers were the first team to secure a spot in the play-offs this season with their dominating show with bat and ball.
Defending champions MI Emirates finished second in the points table to qualify, while Sharjah Warriorz and Dubai Capitals became the third and fourth teams respectively to make it to the next stage.
With seven wins from nine games, Desert Vipers have been in top form throughout the league stage and have turned their performance around this season after a poor outing last year.
Akram says he was highly impressed by the tough competition between the teams as they reached the play-off stage.
For fans across Afghanistan, these matches will all be broadcast live across the country on Ariana Television. See schedule below.
International Sports
ICC announces ticket sale details for India’s Champions Trophy 2025 matches

The ticket sale details for India's three group stage matches and the first semi-final to be played in Dubai was announced by the ICC on Monday.
According to the ICC, India's three group-stage matches and the first semi-final, scheduled to take place in Dubai, UAE, will be available for purchase starting Monday, 3 February, at 16:00 hours.
Fans can buy tickets online for the matches to be held at the iconic Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The first match, on February 19, will however be held at the National Stadium in Karachi, Pakistan and will see Pakistan take on New Zealand.
Pakistan is the official host nation for this year’s tournament, but a hybrid model has been put in place because of India's refusal to travel to Pakistan for the event.
As a result, it was decided India would play all their matches in Dubai, including the knockouts should they reach them.
Dubai will host the first semi-final, regardless of whether India reaches the last four or not.
However, if India does reach the final, that too will be played in Dubai.
The second semi-final will be played in Lahore, and should India not make the final, that game will also be played in Lahore.
India and Pakistan are both in Group A, along with Bangladesh and New Zealand.
Afghanistan meanwhile is in Group B, with Australia, England, and South Africa.
Broadcast Rights in Afghanistan
Cricket fans across Afghanistan will be able to watch the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy live, thanks to Ariana Television and Radio Network (ATN), which has secured the exclusive rights to broadcast the event on Ariana Television.
For news and updates on the event, be sure to follow Ariana Television and Ariana News’ social media pages.
The match schedule is below.
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