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Andy Flower, Mohammad Kaif join ILT20 commentary squad
NATIONAL: The DP World International League T20 has unveiled a refreshed commentary panel for its fourth season, with former India batter Mohammad Kaif and seasoned coach Andy Flower joining the roster. The tournament, airing exclusively on Z, begins on 2 December, coinciding with UAE National Day, and wraps up on 4 January 2026.
Kaif and Flower join an established bench of voices including Simon Doull, Harbhajan Singh, Rohan Gavaskar, Ian Bishop, Alan Wilkins, Daren Ganga, Mike Haysman, Anjum Chopra, Nikhil Chopra, Vivek Razdan, Saba Karim, Ajay Mehra and Reema Malhotra. Their mix of insight, experience and bilingual delivery aims to take fans deeper into the contest.
Presenters Laura McGoldrick, Grace Hayden, Arjun Pandit and Ridhima Pathak will further bolster Z’s on-ground and studio coverage.
“A world-class tournament deserves world-class voices. We are delighted to bring this exceptional commentary team to our viewers as we work to deliver a premium broadcast experience,” said Laxmi Shetty, head of advertisement revenue, broadcast and digital at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.
Flower said he was pleased to return to the league in a new capacity, noting the rise of UAE talent and the addition of players from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Bishop added that the ILT20 had become a catalyst for cricket growth in the region and that returning for a fourth season felt special.
Season 4 will once again feature a slate of global stars, among them Phil Salt, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders; Sam Curran, Noor Ahmad and Shimron Hetmyer for Desert Vipers; and Rovman Powell, Mustafizur Rahman and Jordan Cox for Dubai Capitals.
The Gulf Giants lineup includes Moeen Ali, Pathum Nissanka and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, while MI Emirates bring Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Fletcher and Fazalhaq Farooqi. Sharjah Warriorz will feature Tim David, Dinesh Karthik, Johnson Charles and Adil Rashid.
Fans can catch every match of the six-team, 34-game tournament live on Z.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
