·           DP World ILT20 Season 4 opening ceremony, match and event’s photographs available here 

·           Fans can exclusively watch the LIVE action on ‘Z’s linear TV channels, OTT platform Zee 5 in India, with Zee5 Hindi offering free-to-view streaming as the exclusive digital partner.

National, 04 December 2025: It was a night of redemption for the Desert Vipers, who defeated defending champions Dubai Capitals by four wickets in the opening fixture of DP World ILT20 Season 4 at the Dubai International Stadium. The season itself began in a magnificent fashion at the Dubai International Stadium, coinciding with the 54th UAE National Day celebrations. Emirati singer Ahmed Al Hosani set the tone with a moving rendition of the national anthem, followed by a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the stadium and marked the official start of the tournament.

With the ceremony wrapped and the crowd fully charged, attention shifted to the season’s first ball at 8:45 pm IST. The Vipers won the toss, chose to bowl, and carried that early intent straight through to a memorable opening-night victory.

Commenting on the ceremony, Laxmi Shetty, Head-Advertisement Revenue, Broadcast and Digital, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., “The electrifying opening of DP World ILT20 Season 4 had everything you would expect from a tournament of this scale. The cricket was fierce, the atmosphere was buzzing, and you could sense what it meant to fans tuning in across our channels and on Zee 5. The first match showed once again why ILT20 has earned its place in the cricket calendar. It’s exactly why we back this league so strongly. It brings top-tier talent and real drama straight into people’s homes. We are excited to carry this momentum forward as the season unfolds.”

Cricket fans and sports enthusiasts across India can catch the LIVE action exclusively on &Pictures SD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Action, Zee Thirai – SD, Zee Cinemalu and OTT platform Zee 5.

The Vipers brought an end to a six-match losing streak against the Capitals in a rematch of last season’s final. The triumph was powered by a half-century from Andries Gous and a comprehensive performance with the ball. The result also marked the Vipers’ 21st victory across all seasons of the competition – the most by any team.

In the run chase, Desert Vipers were comfortably ahead of the equation with openers Fakhar Zaman (26 off 15) and Andries Gous (58 off 36) putting on a quickfire 50-run stand. Zaman smashed two sixes and a four before he was dismissed by Mohammad Nabi in the fifth over – the first time Zaman has fallen to a spinner in the DP World ILT20. Gous was equally aggressive, carving three fours off Scott Currie as the Vipers finished the powerplay at 64/1.

Batting first, Dubai Capitals faced early pressure as the Vipers’ pacers made immediate inroads. Sediqullah Atal (16 off 13) fell to Naseem Shah, Gulbadin Naib (0 off 1) was undone by a stellar return catch from Sam Curran, and Jordan Cox (2 off 7) became Dan Lawrence’s first scalp, leaving the Capitals struggling at 32/3.

Player of the Match, Andries Gous said:

“It was a bit slow up front, but it started to get better when we were batting. I’ve come in with confidence, so it is something I want to keep going. It’s good to get that first fifty behind as we go into the rest of the tournament, they are some very good teams.”

Reflecting on the loss, Dasun Shanaka, captain of the Dubai Capitals, said:

“I think with the ball and the bat we were not up to the mark today. We need to hold our line and length; 150-160 is the par score here. Hopefully we can come up with better plans next time.”

Cricket fans and sports enthusiasts across India can catch the LIVE action exclusively on &Pictures SD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Action, Zee Thirai – SD, Zee Cinemalu and OTT platform Zee 5.

The post Desert Vipers cruise past Dubai Capitals by four wickets in DP World ILT20 Season 4 opener appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

·         The DP World International League T20 Season 4 six-team, 34-match tournament will conclude with the final on Sunday, 4 January 2026 

·         DP World ILT20 Season 4 opening ceremony, match and event’s photographs available here.

·         Fans can exclusively watch the LIVE action on ‘Z’s linear TV channels, OTT platform Zee 5 in India. Exclusive digital partner Zee 5 Hindi to offer free-to-view streaming.

Bengaluru, 02 December 2025: The DP World ILT20 Season 4, exclusively on ‘Z’ arrives with a wave of excitement, ready to deliver world-class cricket to fans around the world. This edition marks a transformative chapter in the league’s journey, following the first-ever Season 4 Player Auction and the inclusion of players from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait for the first time.

With the region’s premier T20 league set to begin tomorrow, the captains and star players from all six franchises gathered ahead of the tournament, expressing their anticipation and outlining their expectations for the season ahead.

Representing the reigning champions Dubai Capitals for a second consecutive season, Afghanistan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib said: “It’s good to be here. We always love this tournament. Last year we won, but we’re looking forward to another successful season. It’s a huge platform for everybody. We have got some new faces and they are very keen to do something for the team. This is a mega event, so as professionals it’s important for us to get our mindset right. We know the conditions, so we should be able to adapt. We had amazing support and we’re looking forward to more of the same.”

Lockie Ferguson, who led the Desert Vipers to the finals last season – their second in the DP World ILT20 – highlighted the squad’s camaraderie and balance: “It feels like a family. The boys really get along, and we played great cricket throughout the tournament last season, so this year we’re looking to do even better. We have some new faces, so I’m excited about it. I’m looking forward to working alongside Naseem Shah, David Payne and Khuzaima Tanveer as well in a well-balanced bowling attack. What’s great about this tournament is that the young players get a chance to learn very quickly.”

West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder will be at the helm for the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. Eager to improve their bottom-of-the-table finish from last season, Holder said: “We all want to win. It’s simple for us – we just need to be disciplined and execute our plans. It’s a long tournament, so we’ll take each game as it comes. It’s good to have guys who are familiar with each other. We have a lot of power and depth in our line-up, so the task for us will be to figure out how to put it all together.”

For the Gulf Giants, who lifted the inaugural title in 2023 and finished outside the playoffs for the first time last season, England all-rounder Moeen Ali said: “The quality has gone up, and I’m excited to be part of a new team. We’ve gone in a different direction with our players. I think what’s important is how good our local players are, and we’re hoping to get back to where our squad belongs, which is competing for the title. As a side, we’re going to try and entertain our fans as much as we can.”

Taking over the reins from Nicholas Pooran for MI Emirates, Kieron Pollard added: “We love the place itself. The UAE is always exciting and it’s a good place to play cricket, which gives us an added incentive. We’re hoping things go our way. We just need to play consistent cricket – it’s a matter of understanding what’s needed at a particular time. Going into the season from a planning perspective, we got exactly the team we needed. We have great UAE players like Muhammad Waseem, Rohid, and Zahoor Khan. In this tournament, we always see the best international players, so the level of competition is very high.”

Tim Southee of the Sharjah Warriorz said: “I’m looking forward to the season. The quality of our side and the other teams is amazing, but even the quality of local players has been so good. Dinesh Karthik’s experience will be a wonderful addition to the team. We’re looking to build on what we did in Season 3 – there’s a lot of balance in the squad. We’ve seen the improvement in UAE cricket, and I’m sure the same will be true for the players from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.”

Cricket fans and sports enthusiasts across India can catch the LIVE action exclusively on &Pictures SD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Action, Zee Thirai – SD, Zee Cinemalu and OTT platform Zee 5.

Commenting on the announcement, Laxmi Shetty, Head – Advertisement Revenue, Broadcast and Digital, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, “India’s appetite for high-quality international cricket continues to rise, and DP World ILT20 Season 4 arrives at a moment when audiences are seeking deeper, more global sporting experiences. With the league introducing players from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait for the first time, and Indian stars like Dinesh Karthik Piyush Chawla, and Unmukt Chand join the league this season, adding tremendous depth, this season marks an important shift in the tournament’s evolution. Through the wide reach of our entertainment network and the accessibility of ‘Z’, we aim to bring this expanded pool of international and regional talent to millions of households across the country. Our focus is to ensure that fans enjoy a seamless month-long celebration of cricket, with world-class competition, blockbuster match-ups, and an unmatched viewing experience.”

The month-long cricket fest will see some of the world’s finest cricketers in action, including Kieron Pollard and Nicholas Pooran (MI Emirates), Gulbadin Naib and Dasun Shanaka (Dubai Capitals), Sunil Narine and Jason Holder (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), Shimron Hetmyer and Lockie Ferguson (Desert Vipers), James Vince (Gulf Giants), Dinesh Karthik, Tim David and Tim Southee (Sharjah Warriorz)

Season 4 begins tomorrow Tuesday, 2 December with six teams competing in 34 matches, culminating in the grand finale on Sunday, 4 January 2026. The opening clash will see defending champions Dubai Capitals take on Desert Vipers at the Dubai International Stadium. The much-anticipated fixture, a rematch of the high-octane Season 3 finale, will begin at 8:00 pm IST.

Captains photo caption: From left: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders captain Jason Holder, Desert Vipers captain Lockie Ferguson, Gulf Giants player Moeen Ali, Sharjah Warriorz captain Tim Southee, Dubai Capitals player Gulbadin Naib and MI Emirates captain Kieron Pollard pose with the DP World ILT20 trophy at the Dubai International Stadium a day ahead of the opening game of the DP World ILT20 Season 4.

The post DP World ILT20 Season 4 on ‘Z’ returns for another exciting chapter as teams eye glittering tournament trophy appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

·         Indian stars join the league this season with seasoned players like Dinesh Karthik, Piyush Chawla, and Unmukt Chand set to take the field, adding a strong homegrown presence 

·         Fans can exclusively watch the LIVE action on ‘Z’s linear TV channels, OTT platform Zee 5 in India

·         Exclusive digital partner Zee 5 Hindi to offer free-to-view streaming. 

National, 19^th November 2025: Season 4 of the DP World International League T20 will be broadcast live on ‘Z’s TV channels and OTT platform Zee 5 in India. The tournament, already recognised as the second-most watched cricket league in the world, returns bigger and better this year with a wider broadcast reach across both traditional and emerging cricket markets. 

The biggest cricketing extravaganza of the Gulf region kicks off on Tuesday, December 2, with six teams competing in 34 matches, culminating in the grand finale on Sunday, 4 January 2026. The opening clash will see defending champions Dubai Capitals take on Desert Vipers at the Dubai International Stadium. The much-anticipated fixture, a rematch of the high-octane Season 3 finale, will begin at 8:00 pm IST.

Adding to the excitement, Indian stars such as Dinesh Karthik, Piyush Chawla, and Unmukt Chand join the league this season, bringing a strong homegrown presence to one of cricket’s fastest-growing global tournaments. They will share the stage with international powerhouses including Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Tim David, and Sam Curran, making this season a true showcase of world-class talent.

Cricket fans and sports enthusiasts across India can catch the LIVE action exclusively on &Pictures SD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Action, Zee Thirai – SD, Zee Cinemalu and OTT platform Zee 5.

Reflecting on the schedule announcement, Laxmi Shetty, Head-Advertisement Revenue, Broadcast and Digital, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., “We are thrilled to bring the fourth season of DP World ILT20 and promise an electrifying experience to cricket fans and sports enthusiasts across India. By delivering the tournament in multiple languages, we are making the thrill of ILT20 S4 more inclusive and accessible than ever. With the presence of world’s finest and popular players, six leading sporting franchises, and iconic stadiums, we are confident this season will further solidify the league’s stature as one of the most exciting cricket leagues in the world.”

The six-team tournament will once again feature a total of 34 matches. Dubai International Stadium will host 15 matches, Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium will stage 11, and the Sharjah Cricket Stadium will be the venue for eight matches.

Following the tournament-opener, Sharjah Warriorz who qualified for the playoffs for the first time in the tournament’s history in Season 3 will take on Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (sixth on the points table in Season 3) in the second match of the tournament – the first of the season at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

After the completion of the 30-match double-league round-robin stage, the top four teams on the points table with enter the DP World ILT20 Season 4 playoffs.

Season 4 will conclude with the title clash – the tournament finale – which will be played at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday 4 January from 8:00 pm IST.

DP World ILT20 Season 4 – Tournament schedule – all timings are local timings – IST:

Tuesday, 2 December – Dubai Capitals vs Desert Vipers – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Wednesday, 3 December – Sharjah Warriorz vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – 8:00pm IST, Sharjah

Thursday, 4 December – Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Friday, 5 December – Desert Vipers vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – 8:00pm IST, Sharjah

Saturday, 6 December – Dubai Capitals vs Gulf Giants – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Sunday, 7 December – Sharjah Warriorz vs MI Emirates – 3:30pm IST, Sharjah

Sunday, 7 December – Dubai Capitals vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Monday, 8 December – Desert Vipers vs Gulf Giants – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Tuesday, 9 December – MI Emirates vs Desert Vipers – 8:00pm IST, Abu Dhabi

Wednesday, 10 December – Gulf Giants vs Sharjah Warriorz – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Thursday, 11 December – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs MI Emirates – 8:00pm IST, Abu Dhabi

Friday, 12 December – Gulf Giants vs Desert Vipers – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Saturday, 13 December – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Dubai Capitals – 8:00pm IST, Abu Dhabi

Sunday, 14 December – MI Emirates vs Sharjah Warriorz – 8:00pm IST, Abu Dhabi

Sunday, 14 December – Desert Vipers vs Dubai Capitals – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Monday, 15 December – Sharjah Warriorz vs Gulf Giants – 8:00pm IST, Sharjah

Tuesday, 16 December – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Desert Vipers – 8:00pm IST, Abu Dhabi

Wednesday, 17 December – Dubai Capitals vs MI Emirates – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Thursday, 18 December – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Gulf Giants – 8:00pm IST, Abu Dhabi

Friday, 19 December – Sharjah Warriorz vs Dubai Capitals – 8:00pm IST, Sharjah

Saturday, 20 December – MI Emirates vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – 3:30pm IST, Abu Dhabi

Saturday, 20 December – Desert Vipers vs Sharjah Warriorz – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Sunday, 21 December – Gulf Giants vs Dubai Capitals – 3:30pm IST, Sharjah

Sunday, 21 December – Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Monday, 22 December – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Sharjah Warriorz – 8:00pm IST, Abu Dhabi

Tuesday, 23 December – MI Emirates vs Gulf Giants – 8:00pm IST, Abu Dhabi

Wednesday, 24 December – Dubai Capitals vs Sharjah Warriorz – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Thursday, 25 December – Rest Day

Friday, 26 December – Sharjah Warriorz vs Desert Vipers – 8:00pm IST, Sharjah

Saturday, 27 December – MI Emirates vs Dubai Capitals – 8:00pm IST, Abu Dhabi

Sunday, 28 December – Gulf Giants vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Monday, 29 December – Rest Day

Tuesday, 30 December – Qualifier 1 (Team 1 vs Team 2) – 8:00pm IST, Abu Dhabi

Wednesday, 31 December – Rest Day

Thursday, 1 January – Eliminator (Team 3 vs Team 4) – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

Friday, 2 January – Qualifier 2 (Loser of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Eliminator) – 8:00pm IST, Sharjah

Saturday, 3 January – Rest Day

Sunday, 4 January – Final (Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2) – 8:00pm IST, Dubai

The post Defending champions Dubai Capitals to face Desert Vipers in DP World ILT20 Season 4 opener, exclusively on ‘Z’  appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

Amidst the celebrations, David Warner once again proved why he is not just a cricketing icon but also a fan favourite. The dynamic opener took time after the victory to interact with his passionate supporters, signing autographs and capturing unforgettable moments with them. In a heartwarming gesture, Warner clicked a selfie with a devoted fan in a wheelchair, displaying his humility and deep appreciation for his supporters.

Warner’s charisma extends far beyond the cricket field. With a massive fan base in India, the explosive batter has won hearts by embracing Indian culture, engaging with traditions, and entertaining millions with his lighthearted social media content. His impact on the field, however, has been just as electrifying. His unbeaten 93 off 57 balls against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders was a defining moment in the season, propelling the Capitals into the playoffs and setting the stage for their march to the finals.

Link for the video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFs_Wqihs_c/?igsh=M3pxeHFjcTA4MmJ4

Cricket fans can watch this action-packed tournament on ZEE’s most widely distributed and viewed 15 linear TV channels: &Pictures SD, &Pictures HD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema 2, Zee Action, Zee Biskope, Zee Zest SD, Zee Cinemalu HD, Zee Telugu HD, Zee Thirai, Zee Tamil HD, Zee Kannada HD, Zee Zest HD, &Flix SD and &Flix HD.

The third season of the DP World ILT20 will run from 11 January to 9 February 2025. All 34 matches will be played across three venues – Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. The truly international league’s six franchise teams include Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriorz.

The post David Warner’s Touching Moment with Fans After Dubai Capitals reaches final of DP World ILT20, Exclusively on ZEE appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

Bengaluru, 28 January 2025: As the DP World ILT20 Season 3, broadcasted exclusively on ZEE, enters the exciting final phase of the competition, former Indian cricketer and legendary spinner Harbhajan Singh has been impressed with the level of competition and the exciting performances on display.

Reflecting on the ongoing season, Harbhajan shared his thoughts on the tournament’s dynamic stating, “The tournament is going great, and we’ve seen some excellent cricket. The good thing about this tournament is that all the teams have shown quality, which means they still have a chance to make a comeback.”

He further added, “across the three venues all pitches are different which makes it more competitive and interesting.”

Among the standout performers from the UAE this season, Harbhajan highlighted the exceptional talent of Gulf Giants’ Aayan Afzal Khan. “Aayan Afzal Khan is doing a great job. I have been following him and speaking to him from the first season. I think Aayan could win the Blue Belt award as the most valuable UAE player. As the wickets dry up over the course of the competition, spinners will be key, and it’s going to be a lot of fun to watch.”

Turning his focus to the Desert Vipers, who became the first team to qualify for the play-offs, Harbhajan had high praise for their all-round strength. “From the games I’ve seen or worked on during my time here, I think the Desert Vipers look like a really strong team. They have a brilliant bowling lineup with the likes of Mohammed Amir and Lockie Ferguson, and their batting features some serious firepower. They are real contenders for the championship.”

Looking ahead, Harbhajan shared his predictions for the highest run-scorer (Green Belt) and wicket-taker (White Belt) of the season. “I think Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mohammed Amir have been in phenomenal form with the ball, taking wickets in every game. I think one of them could finish at the top of the ladder. So far, Shai Hope and Tom Banton have scored a lot of runs, but the second part of the tournament has just started. I want to see more players performing, scoring runs, and climbing up the ladder.”

On the future of the league, he said, “This league is very important for UAE cricket. At the moment we have two players from the UAE in each team, maybe that number will go up to three or four in the next few seasons as the UAE players are getting better.”

Cricket fans can watch this action-packed tournament on ZEE’s most widely distributed and viewed 15 linear TV channels: &Pictures SD, &Pictures HD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema 2, Zee Action, Zee Biskope, Zee Zest SD, Zee Cinemalu HD, Zee Telugu HD, Zee Thirai, Zee Tamil HD, Zee Kannada HD, Zee Zest HD, &Flix SD and &Flix HD.

The third season of the DP World ILT20 will run from 11 January to 9 February 2025. All 34 matches will be played across three venues – Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. The truly international league’s six franchise teams include Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriorz.

The post “Desert Vipers’ have batting, bowling firepower; and are real contenders for the title,” says Harbhajan Singh appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.