Kuwait Cricket made history on September 3rd with the spectacular launch of the first-ever DP World ILT20 Development Tournament Kuwait 2025, a landmark moment for the sport in the region. Staged under the dazzling floodlights of the Sulaibiya Cricket Ground, the opening ceremony brought together dignitaries, board members, sponsors, players, officials, and media to celebrate the dawn of a bold new era for cricket in Kuwait.
The evening began with a warm welcome by host Harman Singh Sahni, followed by the stirring rendition of the Kuwait National Anthem, setting the tone for a night of pride and promise.
In a symbolic highlight, the official Trophy Unveiling took center stage as the entire Kuwait Cricket Board, led by President Mr. Haider Farman, joined on stage. Their united presence embodied the vision, leadership, and ambition driving this tournament from concept to reality.
The celebrations continued with a Cake Cutting Ceremony, where Kuwait Cricket honored its valued sponsors—acknowledging their instrumental role in making this historic event possible.
As anticipation built, the team captains—Mohammad Aslam, Clinto Anto, Usman Ghani, and Ravija Sandaruwan—stepped forward representing their squads: Boubyan Warriors, Failaika Guardians, Kuwait Falcons, and Pearl Strikers. An official team photo captured the moment, symbolizing the spirit of competition, unity, and camaraderie that defines the tournament.
Over the coming days, these four teams will battle not only for the championship trophy, but also for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: to earn selection into all six DP World ILT20 franchises in the UAE this December. A mega auction, scheduled for October 1st in Dubai, will see six standout players drafted from this development tournament—one player per franchise—onto the global stage.
Reflecting on the occasion, Kuwait Cricket President Mr. Haider Farman, alongside General Secretary Mr. Emad Al Jassam and Board Member Mr. Mahmoud Bastaki, hailed the moment as “a remarkable journey from vision to reality—reaffirming the board’s commitment to nurturing grassroots talent and building international bridges through cricket.”
Adding to the sentiment, Director General Mr. Sajid Ashraf remarked: “This tournament is not just a competition—it is a celebration of Kuwait Cricket’s ambition, diversity, and the undeniable rise of Kuwait as a new frontier in international cricket.”
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📋 Tournament Format
The DP World ILT20 Development Tournament Kuwait 2025 follows a dynamic round-robin format, where all four teams will compete in double headers, each playing a total of six matches.
At the conclusion of the league stage:
• The top two teams will qualify directly for the Grand Finale.
• The bottom two teams will contest a playoff to decide 3rd place honors.
The Grand Finale will be staged on September 12th, 6:00 PM onwards, under the iconic floodlights of the Sulaibiya Cricket Ground—a spectacle no cricket fan in Kuwait will want to miss!
