ABU DHABI // The ground staff at the Zayed Cricket Stadium were taking no chances last night.
As soon as the Pakistan and South Africa players had made their weary trudge towards the eye-catching pavilion at the close of play, the covers were on their way on to the wicket.
Bearing in mind more time has been lost to sandstorms than rain showers in the 30 year history of international cricket in the UAE, it seemed an overcautious approach.
In truth, the ground staff might have been doing the game a service had they forgotten to pull the tarpaulins on.
Given the tepid state of this Test, in which 15 wickets have fallen in three days for the concession of 901 runs, the forecast light showers might be just what is required to inject some life into the series.
Led by an undefeated 77 by Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain who is currently averaging 162 for the series with the bat compared to a modest career average of 35.25, the nominal home team had reached 317 for six by stumps.
They remain 68 runs short of avoiding the follow-on. Yet, on the evidence of three days of hard graft for the bowlers, it would take something dramatic, even by Pakistan standards, for them to suffer defeat from this position.
A marker of just how batsman-friendly life is could be found in the fact Asad Shafiq was disappointed he did not go on to make a century on his first trip to the crease in Test cricket.
Shafiq, a diminutive middle-order batsman, is winning his first Test cap here. Although he impressed in making 61, his downfall, caught at slip off the left-arm spin of Paul Harris, represented a chance missed.
"That is the way Test cricket is: you have to work hard and play hard," Shafiq said. "This was probably a very good chance for me [to make a century] but unfortunately I couldn't make it."
At least Corrie van Zyl, South Africa's interim coach, could see an upside. With greater Tests to come this winter against India, the side ranked No 1 in the world, he believes the current situation is providing a necessary test for his bowling attack.
"It is good Test cricket at the end of the day," Van Zyl said, citing Dale Steyn, who has taken three Pakistan wickets on his return following injury, as one beneficiary from the workload.
"It was another hard slog, but that is what Test cricket is all about. I would like to see this wicket deteriorate a little bit more [than the wicket for last week's drawn Test match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium].
"It looks very placid at the moment and I haven't seen any signs of it breaking up. There is some bounce there at times, so it is a case of staying with it. You never know in this game. We live in hope."
pradley@thenational.ae
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
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What is type-1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a genetic and unavoidable condition, rather than the lifestyle-related type 2 diabetes.
It occurs mostly in people under 40 and a result of the pancreas failing to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugars.
Too much or too little blood sugar can result in an attack where sufferers lose consciousness in serious cases.
Being overweight or obese increases the chances of developing the more common type 2 diabetes.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich 1
Kimmich (27')
Real Madrid 2
Marcelo (43'), Asensio (56')
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If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
if you go
The flights
Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com
Seeing the games
Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com
Staying there
Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com
