Shayam Bhatia's book collection, including several penned by late Australian cricketer Shane Warne, on display at his private museum in Dubai.
Signed Shane Warne memorabilia on display at the Cricket Museum of Shayam Bhatia.
A cricket bat displays Shane Warne statistics.
Signs pointing to directions of some famous cricket stadiums at the Cricket Museum of Shayam Bhatia in Dubai.
A signed copy of Shane Warne's book 'My Own Story'.
Shayam Bhatia poses next to cricket memorabilia on display at his private museum in Dubai.
Shane Warne and other cricket memorabilia at the Cricket Museum of Shayam Bhatia.
Shane Warne memorabilia and other cricket memorabilia at the Cricket Museum of Shayam Bhatia. Victor Besa / The National
Shane Warne memorabilia and other cricket memorabilia at the Cricket Museum of Shayam Bhatia. Victor Besa / The National
Shane Warne memorabilia and other cricket memorabilia at the Cricket Museum of Shayam Bhatia. Victor Besa / The National
Cricket bats featuring key statistics of international cricket stars including Australia's Shane Warne.
Book on display at the Cricket Museum of Shayam Bhatia in Dubai.
One specially commissioned painting of Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan has an annotation form the Australian great saying: “Keep spinning, Shyam. Lots of love, Shane Warne.”
Shayam Bhatiathe founder of Alam Steel, which is one of the oldest steelworks in the Arabian Gulf, has been adding to his collection since the first major cricket arrived in Sharjah in 1981.
Shane Warne memorabilia from the Australian great's time as a Rajasthan Royals player.
It is a wall of fame, undoubtedly. Imran Khan, Sunil Gavaskar, Michael Holding, Andrew Flintoff and Ian Chappell are among those who have presented the prizes in the past.
Cricket memorabilia at the Cricket Museum of Shayam Bhatia in Dubai.
There are six Warne books on the shelves of the library. The four that were penned by the man himself are all signed.
A picture displaying some of Australian cricketer Shane Warne's records.
Although, given that it is his own residence, the collection remains only for private view, Bhatia is hopeful he can find suitable premises to recreate it for the public in the future.
In the basement of a private museum choc-full of cricket memorabilia, Shyam Bhatia absent-mindedly flicks through the pages of a 170-year-old book on the sport.
He pauses, and his fingers run their way across the screen of his smartphone as he searches for a more recent memory instead. He types “Shane” into the chat search of WhatsApp, and browses his timeline.
In his received messages, there is one with two green tick emojis, and three thumbs-up ones. It was February 17, and it was the last time he heard from Shane Warne.
“I was planning to invite him out here to present the awards this year,” Bhatia says.
Every year since 1998 – bar the past two, Covid-interrupted ones – the Dubai-based businessman has celebrated the leading performers on the domestic cricket scene with prizes for merit.
A wall in the museum, which is housed in a specially-designed outhouse in the garden of his villa in Jumeirah, is devoted to memories of the awards.
It is a wall of fame, undoubtedly. Imran Khan, Sunil Gavaskar, Michael Holding, Andrew Flintoff and Ian Chappell are among those who have presented the prizes in the past.
Warne himself is widely celebrated elsewhere in the museum. There are six Warne books on the shelves of the library. The four that were penned by the man himself are all signed.
One specially commissioned painting of him and Muttiah Muralitharan has an annotation form the Australian great saying: “Keep spinning, Shyam. Lots of love, Shane Warne.”
Another says: “Thank you, Shyam. You’re a legend, and thank you for your support.”
Shane Warne memorabilia at Shayam Bhatia's cricket museum. Victor Besa / The National
Bhatia, the founder of Alam Steel, which is one of the oldest steelworks in the Arabian Gulf, has been adding to his collection since the first major cricket arrived in Sharjah in 1981.
The most recent addition is a framed tribute to Warne, assembled within the time since his death on March 4.
“Somebody messaged me to tell me, and I said, ‘What are you talking about? That’s not possible,’” Bhatia said of hearing the news for the first time.
“I put on the news immediately, and I was in shock. I got in touch with our common friends. We were all wondering what had happened.
“Everybody was shocked it could have happened. It is difficult to lose a friend, especially when you have loved them. He was one of the ultimate legends of the game.
Shayam Bhatia at his cricket museum. Victor Besa / The National
“Apart from being a great cricketer, he was a great human being. He was a magician as a spinner and will be missed by all cricket fans.”
There are videos on Bhatia’s phone of Warne giving an audience at the museum for a few, handpicked guests, back in 2020.
Although, given that it is his own residence, the collection remains only for private view, Bhatia is hopeful he can find suitable premises to recreate it for the public in the future.
In the videos, Warne extols his love for all versions of cricket. He likens Tests to a three-course meal, or Sunday roast, and T20 to picking up fast food from a drive-thru – each of which would suit him just fine, he says.
Bhatia recalls someone who was larger than life, but who was serious in his devotion to the game that made him a superstar.
“When the Australian players in South Africa were caught with this sandpaper issue, I was at the match,” Bhatia said of the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
“We came to know what had happened. That evening, [broadcasters] Supersport invited all the commentators – who were mostly ex-cricketers – for dinner, and I was invited, too.
“The room was very sad. Warnie and [former South Africa captain] Graeme Smith were talking, and you could see the sadness on his face about what had happened.
“Usually when you meet like that, all cricketers are very jovial and laughing. But here, everyone was only talking about this subject.”
Bhatia remembers that the non-cricketers among that party all drew lots to ask one question each to the cricket stars in their midst, and a Cricket South Africa administrator picked out Warne’s name.
“He could ask him one question,” Bhatia says. “He could have asked him anything about cricket – but he asked about his relationship with Liz Hurley instead.
“Even then, he was so nice, and gave an honest answer. That was the type of man he was.”
The signed painting of Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan. Victor Besa / The National
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Afghanistan fixtures
v Australia, today
v Sri Lanka, Tuesday
v New Zealand, Saturday,
v South Africa, June 15
v England, June 18
v India, June 22
v Bangladesh, June 24
v Pakistan, June 29
v West Indies, July 4
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Key facilities
Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Manchester City transfers:
OUTS
Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Willy Caballero and Jesus Navas (all released)
INS
Ederson (Benfica) £34.7m, Bernardo Silva (Monaco) £43m
ON THEIR WAY OUT?
Joe Hart, Eliaquim Mangala, Samir Nasri, Wilfried Bony, Fabian Delph, Nolito and Kelechi Iheanacho
ON THEIR WAY IN?
Dani Alves (Juventus), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE) Where: Anfield, Liverpool Live: BeIN Sports HD Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
MATCH INFO
Karnataka Tuskers 110-5 (10 ovs)
Tharanga 48, Shafiq 34, Rampaul 2-16
Delhi Bulls 91-8 (10 ovs)
Mathews 31, Rimmington 3-28
Karnataka Tuskers win by 19 runs
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11 What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time. TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
What are the influencer academy modules?
Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
Cinematography, shots and movement.
All aspects of post-production.
Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023 More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
Meatless Days
Sara Suleri, with an introduction by Kamila Shamsie
Penguin
