Gulf Giants clinch DP World ILT20 Development 2026 title with comprehensive win over Desert Vipers

Gulf Giants Development (GG) routed Desert Vipers Development (DV) by four wickets in the final on September 24 to clinch the DP World ILT20 Development 2026 title.

After electing to bat first, Desert Vipers Development lost three wickets inside the first six overs and failed to capitalise on the powerplay. Israr Ahmad (24 off 12) got off to a flying start, smashing two boundaries and as many sixes at a strike rate of 200.00. However, Haider Razzaq dismissed him before he could take the game away from Giants.

Aayan Khan was the pick of the bowlers for Gulf Giants Development, claiming three wickets while conceding 33 runs in his four overs at an economy rate of 8.25. Hazrat Luqman was also impressive, giving away just 30 runs and picking up two wickets in his four-over spell.

Harshit Kaushik top-scored for Desert Vipers Development with 42 off 32 deliveries, including two fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 131.25. Khuzaima Bin Tanvir (30 off 17) played a crucial cameo that helped propel Vipers to a competitive total of 143. He struck one boundary and three sixes at an outstanding strike rate of 176.47.

Chasing 144, Gulf Giants got off to a disastrous start, losing their top three wickets for just 15 runs inside two overs. However, Sagar Kalyan (39 off 22) took charge of the chase, scoring at a strike rate of 177.27. When Kalyan fell on the penultimate ball of the 11th over, the Giants were struggling at 89/6, but Vipers failed to make any further breakthroughs.

An unbroken 55-run partnership between Sohaib Khan and Junaid Shamsudheen for the seventh wicket proved decisive, as Giants reached the target with eight balls to spare.

Giants skipper Adeeb Usmani was delighted with the win and praised everyone who played a key role throughout the campaign.

“It means a lot to me and to the team. This year, the domestic standard of the DP World ILT20 was very high. Sagar Kalyan, Anshh Taandon, and Tanish Suri were outstanding with the bat, while Sohaib Khan stepped up in the final and played a very important innings,” said Usmani after the victory.

“Our bowlers also did an extraordinary job, which is why we were able to win the final. The management ensured that we did not feel the pressure of playing in a final, so we approached it like any other game. As a result, the boys were able to express themselves freely and deliver strong performances.”