DUBAI: Ahead of their opening match of the DP World ILT20  against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders on Sunday, the Desert Vipers produced an impressive performance against the Gulf Giants in a warm-up match played at the ICC Academy in Dubai.

The Giants batted first and were bowled out for 125,  a target the Vipers chased down with ease to the extent that the two sides’ head coaches, James Foster of the Vipers and the Giants’ Andy Flower, agreed on a new target of 186. The Vipers fell just three runs short of that mark, but it was still an encouraging display

The Vipers bowling was highlighted by Nathan Sowter’s four for eight, while Dhruv Parashar and David Payne contributed with two wickets apiece. Speaking with the Vipers Voices podcast after the match, Sowter said he was pleased with what he delivered in match conditions.

“Yes, it was obviously a great start and it was nice to get a few wickets,” he said. “I was happy with how they came out and I hit my lengths quite well. It is nice to get a win for the boys and get the feeling of how we want the competition to go.”

Speaking about bowling in partnership with UAE finger-spinner Dhruv Parashar, Sowter said the duo worked well together and also used their time together after time in the field to discuss strategy ahead of the main competition.

“I think they (Gulf Giants) got off to a good start, and then we kind of just pegged them back a little bit. And then we started getting wickets and it happened quite quickly. I think we took maybe six wickets in three overs there.

“So, it put a bit of sting in the tail and that was nice. Dhruv bowled really well and we have had a few conversations after, about how we can go about things through the competition as well, either if we play together or if Dhruv plays with (Wanindu) Hasaranga.

“It is good to have those conversations because you can have days like this where you can learn a lot more than just getting a few wickets.”

Sowter added that he felt pleased with how preparations have gone ahead of Sunday’s opening encounter with the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.

“It is going well,” he said. “I think the Vipers’ mantra is you get what you need (at training) and you get out of there.

“So, I think the boys are building up really nicely. I think, for myself, it is about making sure you do not overdo it. But you do not want to underdo it as well. And I think the coaching staff here give you a great mix of that and they allow you to take control of your own cricket. I think that helps players a lot, or it does help me a lot, to just pick and choose when I need to do what or how much I need to do.

“I feel like we have got a good mix of players who know each other, and have played a lot of cricket against each other or with each other. So, I think we will be all right going forward.”

Meanwhile on the batting side of things, Adam Hose was top scorer for the Vipers with 47 from 23 balls, including four fours and three sixes, and said he was glad to have put on a good show.

“Yes, it was a nice start to it, from a personal and a team’s perspective,” he said. “I think it is always tough to gauge where you are at, especially since I have not been here (in the UAE) too long.

“We have had a couple of really good outdoor sessions, but having not played much (after the English domestic season) prior to this competition, it is always fairly tough to know where you are.

“I think I just gave myself a little bit of a chance, faced a few balls, and then I felt like I got into my work, started picking the ball up early and seeing the length. Fortunately, a few came out the middle of the bat tonight.”

Hose was the Vipers’ top scorer last year in a pre-tournament practice match against the Dubai Capitals, but that came off the back of time in Australia at the Big Bash League with the Adelaide Strikers.

This time, the build-up has involved rest and reflection for the player, and he said he thought it had been a positive for him.

“(I am here) off the back of a little bit of time off back in England for New Year and Christmas which, to be honest with you, was really nice.

“I have just tried to focus, especially in the last two days, on the basics of what I know works well for me — that is having a good, strong base, tracking the ball for as long as possible and being as still as possible.

The Desert Vipers’ first match of the 2025 DP World ILT20 is on day two of the tournament, against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

ABU DHABI: The Team Cup, the UAE’s first major golf tournament of 2025, tees off in Abu Dhabi on Friday, as Continental Europe, led by Francesco Molinari, aim to defend their title against a Great Britain & Ireland team captained by Justin Rose.

Ahead of the match-play event, Arab News spoke with Team Cup Championship Director Graham Glynn, who looked ahead to the competition over the weekend at the Abu Dhabi Golf Resort.

The popularity of golf in the region continues to grow. What makes the Team Cup different to some of the other more established events?

There is no doubt that golf fans within the UAE are spoilt for choice when it comes to high-profile events.

In November, we enjoyed the inaugural DP World Tour Play-Offs, comprised of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and DP World Tour Championship, while the New Year sees the return of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

While the Team Cup (formerly Hero Cup) is less established than those tournaments, what makes the event stand out from others is the match-play format, as opposed to the more traditional stroke-play format.

Match-play golf calls upon collective contributions and, in the Team Cup, every player will be involved in each session, making it the ultimate team test as Continental Europe, led by Francesco Molinari, aim to defend their title against Justin Rose’s Great Britain & Ireland.

While similar to the Ryder Cup, the format is not identical, with players paired up for the first two days, before the final-day singles against each other.

The collaborative element is something fans in the UAE won’t be used to watching in-person, and will undoubtedly make for some exciting and gripping action.

Why was Abu Dhabi Golf Resort selected as the host venue for the tournament?

We are blessed, here in the UAE, to have an array of elite-level golf courses all across the country, and there is certainly no shortage of options.

Abu Dhabi Golf Resort is one of the most impressive courses in the region and offers the perfect layout for match-play golf.

The venue opened over 20 years ago and boasts an illustrious history with tournament golf having played host to high-profile events down the years, including the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, while some of the biggest names in the sport have competed there.

From a logistical perspective, it’s a great venue due to the fact there is an on-site hotel, meaning players have the course and practice facilities on their doorstep, along with the world-renowned Falcon Clubhouse, which offers breathtaking views of the course.

Access for spectators, both in terms of getting to the course, and then moving around once on-site, is also fantastic, which is obviously hugely important for an event which will attract large numbers of fans.

Having hosted the Hero Cup at Abu Dhabi Golf Resort in 2023, we were delighted with its success both from a player and fan perspective, which is why we have chosen to return for the Team Cup.

With the likes of Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Francesco Molinari and the Hojgaard twins (Nicolai and Rasmus) confirmed to be competing, what does that say about the overall quality of the competition?

There will certainly be a strong lineup of talent on show, with plenty of big names who fans will be familiar with, and both teams each have players who have previously competed in the Ryder Cup.

However, what I really enjoy about this tournament is the fact we have those high-profile figures playing alongside some of the DP World Tour’s blossoming talents, with both teams combining youth and experience.

For example, the event’s oldest (Justin Rose) and youngest (Tom McKibbin) players will be part of the same team, with 23 years between them, which is a wonderful story and indicative of what the Team Cup is all about.

Aside from the big names, which players should fans look out for?

Italy’s Matteo Manassero is undoubtedly a player to watch, and he has a very interesting backstory, having become the youngest winner in DP World Tour history, at the age of 17, when he clinched the Castello Masters in 2010, before then stepping away from the game completely.

Following his return in 2019, he has continued to improve. This year, he won the Jonsson Workwear Open and finished 12th on the DP World Tour Race to Dubai Rankings, also securing a PGA TOUR card for 2025.

Aaron Rai, from England, is one of the lesser-known players in the competition, but don’t be fooled. He is a highly accomplished performer who boasts two DP World Tour victories, including at the Scottish Open in 2020 when he defeated Tommy Fleetwood in a playoff. He won on the PGA TOUR earlier this year and is one to watch.

Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin is the youngest player involved at 21 and having only turned professional in 2021, he has already claimed a maiden DP World Tour victory at last year’s Porsche European Open.

Regardless of age or experience, the Team Cup is a tournament packed full of quality, and we can all look forward to watching some brilliant golf over the three days.

Can you tell us about the structure and format of the event?

The event will follow the same format as 2023, with the teams competing in match play across one session of fourballs on the Friday, two sessions of foursomes on the Saturday and one session of singles on the Sunday.

Every player will take part in all four of the sessions. Each match will be worth one point, and the team who crosses the 12.5-point mark will be crowned Team Cup winners.

With so much talent on show, across both teams, we are hugely excited about what’s in store and I think it will be a tight and exciting battle.

How important is the event in terms of Ryder Cup selection?

It will certainly play a part, although only Luke Donald, who will lead Team Europe at the Ryder Cup, knows to what extent.

Luke has been heavily involved in proceedings up to now, and he has spoken publicly about how significant the Hero Cup was in 2023, particularly in relation to experiencing the uniqueness of a team environment.

As we know, there were players involved in that event who went on to play key roles in Team Europe’s success in Italy.

Competing in the Ryder Cup is a major milestone for any European player, and naturally those who are involved in the Team Cup will be eager to stake their claim, which should make for some fantastic competitive action.