Younis Khan has praised the UAE for its role in supporting Afghanistan cricket after the Pakistan great spent the past three weeks with the team during a training camp in Abu Dhabi.
Having been first approached by the Afghanistan Cricket Board for a coaching position during his playing days, Younis joined the squad for their 23-day camp at Abu Dhabi Cricket as a batting consultant.
Few players in world cricket are more familiar with the UAE than Younis. The Emirates hosted Pakistan's home series for more than a decade following the 2009 terror attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore, which led to a lengthy exile of cricket tours to the South Asian nation.
During Pakistan's time in the UAE, the team climbed to No 1 in the ICC's Test rankings for the first time in their history, with Younis among the key players.
Younis, 44, is hopeful the UAE can now provide similar support to Afghanistan as the team continues to establish itself in the global game.
"Thank you to Abu Dhabi Cricket and UAE cricket; they're helping Afghanistan cricket," the former Pakistan captain said. "They were helping the Pakistan cricket team for long periods of time, now Afghanistan. So, I hope the bonding is there and it's my wish that UAE and the Afghanistan Cricket Board gel together, they help each other, and they rise together."
Younis said that Pakistan were able to enjoy so much success while based in the UAE because of the many similarities between the two countries, and believes the same can apply to Afghanistan.
"Sometimes it's hard to play out of your country on a regular basis, but the good thing about Abu Dhabi and UAE is that at least you'll find some of your own people here and the conditions – especially the weather and the pitches, the grounds, the facilities – are similar to Pakistan and Afghanistan. It's like they're playing almost in their home conditions."
Afghanistan's visit coincided with the start of Ramadan, and Younis said that spending the Holy Month in the UAE has helped bring the group together.
"The holy month of Ramadan provides much bonding for the team because you have Iftari and then you have Sehri," he said. "You pray together so these kinds of things are good for the team and, especially if you're away from home, you need this kind of bonding."
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The biog
Place of birth: Kalba
Family: Mother of eight children and has 10 grandchildren
Favourite traditional dish: Al Harees, a slow cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled cracked or coarsely ground wheat mixed with meat or chicken
Favourite book: My early life by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah
Favourite quote: By Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, “Those who have no past will have no present or future.”
The story in numbers
18
This is how many recognised sects Lebanon is home to, along with about four million citizens
450,000
More than this many Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, with about 45 per cent of them living in the country’s 12 refugee camps
1.5 million
There are just under 1 million Syrian refugees registered with the UN, although the government puts the figure upwards of 1.5m
73
The percentage of stateless people in Lebanon, who are not of Palestinian origin, born to a Lebanese mother, according to a 2012-2013 study by human rights organisation Frontiers Ruwad Association
18,000
The number of marriages recorded between Lebanese women and foreigners between the years 1995 and 2008, according to a 2009 study backed by the UN Development Programme
77,400
The number of people believed to be affected by the current nationality law, according to the 2009 UN study
4,926
This is how many Lebanese-Palestinian households there were in Lebanon in 2016, according to a census by the Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue committee
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
Company%20Profile
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Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
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