Rather than twiddling their thumbs during their extended stop-over in the UAE at the end of last month, Afghanistan's players spent their time trying to think up ways to counter South Africa's quick bowlers.
The Afghans had been staying in Sharjah, waiting for their connecting flight to the Caribbean to get the green light after the delays caused by the volcanic ash cloud.
Practising on the concrete wickets of the Sharjah Cricket Stadium nets, all the thoughts of their players appeared to be consumed by the prospect of facing South Africa's fearsome new-ball attack.
Without access to a bowling machine, or any fast bowlers of a similar ilk of their own, their batsmen had to be creative in thinking of a method to match Dale Steyn, the leading paceman in the game.
In fact it was Morne Morkel, Steyn's beanpole new-ball partner, who worried them most. The type of bounce he generates from his 6ft 7ins frame is not something they have faced before.
To simulate the experience of facing him they pelted tennis balls, which had been thoroughly soaked in a cool-box filled with water, at each other from close range.
All the while, they were far more concerned with how they were going to hit the balls for six, rather than the potential damage 90mph projectiles of rock-hard leather might do to them.
It was Karim Sadiq, the free-spirited opening batsman, who first came out and said the prospect of facing the Proteas fast bowlers was nothing to be afraid of.
Rather than take the bait and issue prophesies about impending doom to the Afghan batsmen, Graeme Smith, the South Africa captain, was sympathetic.
"Their opener said he was not scared of facing Dale Steyn and I wouldn't be either if I grew up in a war zone," Smith reasoned, with a logic that does not always find a place in captaincy double-speak.
And the Afghan players are not totally bereft of experience of facing hard-faced, nasty-fasties.
"We were told Shoaib Akhtar was coming to bowl, and all of our players were clapping, we were so excited," said Raees Ahmadzai, the batsman, recalling a training camp across the border in Lahore, when the Afghans took on Pakistan's National Academy.
"I was nervous facing the first ball. I knew it would be at least 140kph. As soon as that first ball was out of the way, my nerves were gone. I hit him for six with a pull shot. It made us realise that cricket is just a mind game.
"That is why we are so relaxed about playing at the World Cup, so relaxed about playing against Dale Steyn. It will just be a war of minds."
Afghanistan will have to learn fast if they are to avoid an early exit from their maiden appearance on the top stage. After an opening day defeat to India, which was ironically induced by their failings against the short ball, they must beat South Africa this evening to stay in the World Twenty20.
The same scenario faces the Proteas, who have not yet hinted at a return to the type of form which swept them to the semi-finals of the last World Twenty20, 11 months ago. They were also soundly beaten, by India, in their first match in St Lucia.
Charl Langeveldt, the seam bowler, may be restored to the South Africa line-up in place of Rory Kleinveldt.
@Email:pradley@thenational.ae
Afghanistan v South Africa, 1am on CricOne
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Jordan cabinet changes
In
- Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
- Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
- Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
- Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
- Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
- Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth
Out
- Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
- Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
- Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
- Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
- Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
- Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
- Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
- Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
- Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
- Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
About Proto21
Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
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NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Sukuk explained
Sukuk are Sharia-compliant financial certificates issued by governments, corporates and other entities. While as an asset class they resemble conventional bonds, there are some significant differences. As interest is prohibited under Sharia, sukuk must contain an underlying transaction, for example a leaseback agreement, and the income that is paid to investors is generated by the underlying asset. Investors must also be prepared to share in both the profits and losses of an enterprise. Nevertheless, sukuk are similar to conventional bonds in that they provide regular payments, and are considered less risky than equities. Most investors would not buy sukuk directly due to high minimum subscriptions, but invest via funds.
Test series fixtures
(All matches start at 2pm UAE)
1st Test Lord's, London from Thursday to Monday
2nd Test Nottingham from July 14-18
3rd Test The Oval, London from July 27-31
4th Test Manchester from August 4-8
Full list of Emmy 2020 nominations
LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Anthony Anderson, Black-ish
Don Cheadle, Black Monday
Ted Danson, The Good Place
Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method
Eugene Levy, Schitt’s Creek
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LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
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Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Linda Cardellini, Dead to Me
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OUTSTANDING VARIETY/TALK SERIES
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
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Nailed It!
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LEAD ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE
Jeremy Irons, Watchmen
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LEAD ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE
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Mrs. America
Unbelievable
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OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
Curb Your Enthusiasm
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A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Top 10 most polluted cities
- Bhiwadi, India
- Ghaziabad, India
- Hotan, China
- Delhi, India
- Jaunpur, India
- Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Noida, India
- Bahawalpur, Pakistan
- Peshawar, Pakistan
- Bagpat, India
West Indies v India - Third ODI
India 251-4 (50 overs)
Dhoni (78*), Rahane (72), Jadhav (40)
Cummins (2-56), Bishoo (1-38)
West Indies 158 (38.1 overs)
Mohammed (40), Powell (30), Hope (24)
Ashwin (3-28), Yadav (3-41), Pandya (2-32)
India won by 93 runs
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