Arab News | Gulf Giants crowned DP World ILT20 Development Tournament champions

DUBAI: Gulf Giants Development were crowned champions of the fourth DP World ILT20 Development Tournament, overcoming Desert Vipers Development by four wickets in a thrilling final at the ICC Academy in Dubai.

Batting first, Desert Vipers Development were bowled out for 143 in 19.5 overs. Harshit Kaushik top-scored with 42 off 32, striking two fours and three sixes, while Khuzaima Tanveer provided a late flourish with 30 off 17, including three sixes. Israr Ahmad also made an aggressive 24 off 12 at the top of the order.

However, Aayan Khan led the Giants’ bowling attack with 3/33, while Hazret Luqman (2/30) claimed two wickets. Haider Razzaq’s (1/14) frugal spell also proved vital.

The Giants’ chase got off to a difficult start as they slipped to 4/48 inside the powerplay with Khuzaima Tanveer snatching two wickets in the first over. Sagar Kalyan counter-attacked with a blistering 39 off 22, hitting four fours and two sixes.

With the required runs still to be found, Sohaib Khan and Junaid Shamsu held their nerve to produce a decisive unbeaten partnership. Sohaib struck 30 off 23, including four fours, while Shamsu finished unbeaten on 29 off 29, with two fours and a six. Their 55-run stand took the Giants to 144/6 in 18.4 overs and secured the Development Tournament title. Wasim Akram also took two wickets for the Vipers.

Sagar Kalyan was awarded Player of the Tournament for an exceptional season that saw him emerge as the highest run-scorer with 280 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 189, comprising three half-centuries. The Vipers’ Wali Muhammad Afridi was the leading wicket-taker of the season, with 15 wickets in seven innings.

Following the triumph, Gulf Giants Development captain Adeeb Usmani said: “It means a lot to me and to the team. This year, the domestic standard of the DP World ILT20 is very high. Sagar Kalyan, Ansh Taandon and Tanish Suri did outstandingly with the bat, while Sohaib Khan stepped up in the final and played a very important innings.

“Our bowlers also did an extraordinary job, and that is why we were able to win the final. The management made sure we did not feel the pressure of playing a final, so we approached it like a normal game, and the boys were able to express themselves and perform.”

Desert Vipers Development captain Vriitya Aravind said: “I think we were 20 runs short. The fast bowlers did their best to keep us in the game and showed that you can never give up. We got two early wickets and there was always hope that we were going to win. We kept believing until the last ball.”

On the broader impact of the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament, he added: “It’s great exposure for everyone playing domestic cricket, but this tournament is also a showcase ahead of the DP World ILT20 Season 5 Player Auction. Whoever puts their hand up here has a better chance of getting picked up.

There were a lot of standout performers, like Sagar Kalyan and Wali Muhammad Afridi. Young players in our squad, like Hilal Noor Afghan [eight wickets in five matches] and Angad Nehru [two wickets in four matches], also did well. A lot of players really put their hand up throughout the tournament.”