The longest running and largest junior cricket competition in the region has seen most things during its 20-year history.
And yet the Gulf Cup experienced a first when a female player struck a century against boys for the first time.
The tournament involves 58 teams and 135 matches across a range of age groups, and will culminate in a finals day this month.
A 14-year-old Ben Stokes played in the 2005 Gulf Cup as part of a touring Durham Academy side, while fellow England internationals Mark Wood and Scott Borthwick have also featured.
This season’s tournament was initially memorable for an innings worth 274 not out in a 30-over, Under 11s game by Fathhurahman Mohammed - an opening batter for an academy side touring from Sri Lanka.
Then, on Boxing Day, Kavisha Kumari scored the first ton by a female against males in the competition’s history.
The 18-year-old all-rounder was opening the batting for the UAE women’s team. As part of the development plan for the women's game in the country, the leading national team players regularly play against boys age-group sides.
Kumari’s century came in a 154-run win in a 30-over match against Young Talents Cricket Academy’s Under 15s side in Ajman.
“I could tell within the first two balls it was coming onto the bat nicely and I was connecting with it well,” Kumari said.
“At that point it was just a case of carrying on and playing each ball on its merit. It was my first century against boys and my second century overall.
“In 2019 I scored a T20 century against girls. I have been close a number of times to getting a second one after that 2019 century, and finally getting it against the boys was amazing – I don’t have words to describe it.”
Kumari said she was concerned she might run out of deliveries to reach the landmark – especially given she has experienced that feeling a number of times before.
However, she made it to three figures with a classic drive for two to extra cover when she was on 98 in the penultimate over of the innings.
“I was more focused on scoring runs, but there was a little nervousness in the 90s because the overs were running out," Kumari said.
“There was a fear that I might not make it, especially as I have been stranded in the 90s a few times before against the boys. I have made 90, 97, 93, all not out in the past.
“So there was a nervousness, and I was trying to get on strike when I was in the 90s and make the runs.
“I asked Chaya [Mughal, the UAE captain], who was at the non-striker’s end, to look for singles and doubles. I just wanted to be on strike and we ran quite a few nervy singles.”
Kavisha made 106 from 89 balls with the help of 12 fours as the UAE women's team made 259-3 in 30 overs. Their opponents were bowled out for 105, with Khushi Sharma picking up 5-21.
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The biog
Favourite books: 'Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life' by Jane D. Mathews and ‘The Moment of Lift’ by Melinda Gates
Favourite travel destination: Greece, a blend of ancient history and captivating nature. It always has given me a sense of joy, endless possibilities, positive energy and wonderful people that make you feel at home.
Favourite pastime: travelling and experiencing different cultures across the globe.
Favourite quote: “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders” - Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook.
Favourite Movie: Mona Lisa Smile
Favourite Author: Kahlil Gibran
Favourite Artist: Meryl Streep
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Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Teams
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
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The view from The National
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A Dog's Journey
Directed by: Gail Mancuso
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Josh Gad, Marg Helgenberger, Betty Gilpin, Kathryn Prescott
3 out of 5 stars
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