Vriitya Aravind says the UAE’s players are “obsessed” with qualification for the T20 World Cup.
They started their campaign at the qualifier in Muscat in fine fashion, with an 18-run win over Ireland, who are the only Test nation in the eight-team tournament, on Saturday.
Aravind, the 19-year-old wicketkeeper, laid the platform for victory with a masterly 97 not out which entirely belied his inexperience.
His neatly paced innings was the basis for the national team’s total of 157 for five at the Oman Cricket Academy.
In reply, the Irish managed 139 for nine from their 20 overs, with 21-year-old leg-spinner Karthik Meiyappan excelling as he took three for 16.
“In the dressing room, everyone’s morale is very high — they are all obsessed to win this qualifier,” Aravind said.
“Of course, last time we didn’t qualify for the World Cup. This time, everyone is hungry to qualify. That is why you are seeing these sort of performances.”
The victory was a significant step towards sealing a semi-final place, with matches against Germany and Bahrain still to play in the group stage.
Only the two sides who reach the final will get to advance to the main event in Australia later in the year.
“[Ireland] are the favourites to win this tournament,” Aravind said. “Every article I read said they were the favourites to win this tournament.
“It was good to upset the favourites and was a good start to the tournament for us, but this was just the start. There are four more games and a semi-final would be massive.”
Aravind’s innings, which comprised 67 balls, 13 fours and a six, was his highest in T20 internationals. Earlier in the tour, he had achieved similar in one-day international cricket, too, when he scored 89 against Oman.
“It has felt like whatever I have been trying to do, things have been kind of going my way,” Aravind said.
“I just need to try to cash in, score runs and try to win games for my team.
“The first 10 balls were probably the scratchiest 10 balls I’ve faced. I couldn’t see the ball for some reason. I had a chat with [Muhammad Waseem] and said, ‘I don’t know what I’m doing’.
“I missed my first three balls then I thought, Let’s just try to take it deep, we are losing wickets at the other end so the more I stay the better it is.
“Once you are in on this wicket, it is slightly easier to hit. It is not easy starting.”
The excellence of Aravind and Meiyappan — two players who are recent graduates from the same UAE Under 19 side — delighted captain Ahmed Raza.
“Having youth in your team always brings fresh ideas,” Raza said. “There is no baggage of previous qualifiers or previous defeats, because they are so young.
“The adaptability they show to anything that comes our way is brilliant. For our team, with experience and youth it is a perfect mix for us.
“We have invested in Vriitya for the past three or four years now, if you include the U19 set up. He made his ODI debut in 2019, so even though he is only 19, he has a great head on his shoulders.
“It is great we showed that faith in him and we are certainly reaping the rewards now.”
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
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Director:Mike Mills
Stars:Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, Woody Norman
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Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
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iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
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iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
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Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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Company: Justmop.com
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Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
AC Milan v Inter, Sunday, 6pm (UAE), match live on BeIN Sports
Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
EXPATS
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FA CUP FINAL
Manchester City 6
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Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Profile of RentSher
Started: October 2015 in India, November 2016 in UAE
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Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
