Kuwait Cricket reported that the Falcons elected to bat first in the final and reached 163 all out in 20 overs at the Sulaibiya Cricket Ground. Sankar Varathappan provided the top score with an aggressive 41 off 33 balls that featured two fours and three sixes while Nimesh Lateif added 34 off 28 deliveries. The pair combined for a 46-run partnership that proved the innings’ highest as Vishwa Nettem, Naveen Raj and Manjula Prasan each claimed two wickets for Pearl Strikers.
Pearl Strikers were then restricted to 106 all out in 17.3 overs to lose by 57 runs according to the official tournament returns. Danish Javed top-scored with 36 off 23 balls but received little support as the middle and lower order faltered. Zarwali Khan and Arunraj Selvaraj each took three wickets while Yasin Patel added two as the Falcons maintained tight control throughout the chase.
Ummer Abbas earned player of the tournament honours after amassing 239 runs and capturing five wickets across the competition Kuwait Cricket figures show. Bilal Tahir of Boubyan Warriors finished as the leading run-scorer with 272 while Yasin Patel emerged as the leading wicket-taker with 11 dismissals. The Boubyan Warriors secured third place by defeating Falaika Guardians by seven wickets in the preceding playoff match.
The tournament ran from September 17 to 25 and featured four teams competing in a round-robin stage before the playoffs. It forms part of the ongoing partnership between the DP World ILT20 and Kuwait Cricket Board that began last year to broaden opportunities for players across the Gulf. The event also served as a key showcase ahead of the DP World ILT20 Season 5 Player Auction scheduled for October 1 in Dubai.
In comments following the final Emmad Al Jassam the general secretary of Kuwait Cricket reflected on the standard of play. “Congratulations to the winners on a well-deserved victory, we are pleased to see the growing quality of cricket in Kuwait. With the DP World ILT20 Season 5 Player Auction coming up, this tournament has provided a great opportunity for players to showcase their talent and gain exposure. We hope to see more players use this platform to take the next step in their careers.” He noted the competition continues to raise the level of domestic cricket in the country.
The 2025 inaugural edition saw Boubyan Warriors defeat Falaika Guardians in a high-scoring final to become the first champions according to records from that tournament. ILT20 organisers have highlighted that their development tournaments across recent seasons have produced 16786 runs and 770 wickets with more than 15 players advancing to the main league and international cricket. The Kuwait edition has now become an established part of the calendar that feeds directly into the franchise player auction process.
