Rovman Powell, the West Indies batter, hopes UAE’s aspiring stars can thrive among the household names of the international game, when their home T20 league commences.
Powell will captain the Dubai Capitals, who will play against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the opening fixture of the first DP World International League T20 on Friday.
The new, six-team competition is the most high-profile 20-over event for UAE players. Each of the squads features four players from the host nation.
In Friday’s opener in Dubai, for example, home hopefuls such as Chirag Suri, Jash Giyanani, Hazrat Khan or Akif Raja could line up alongside Powell, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, or Joe Root for the Capitals.
In the other dressing room, Zawar Farid, Fahad Nawaz, Matiullah and Sabir Ali will be rubbing shoulders with Indian Premier League royalty in the form of Sunil Narine and Andre Russell.
“This is a start of something special,” Powell said on the eve of the competition’s launch.
“Not from a personal standpoint but from the team and franchise standpoint. This is a good chance for the UAE players to showcase their talent.
“The DP World ILT20 is a good launching pad for them and hopefully they'll utilise this opportunity.”
One of the most recognisable of the overseas professionals will be multi-tasking on the opening weekend.
Denly and Sharafu visit school kids to drum up support
Dwayne Bravo will be playing for MI Emirates when they open their campaign against Sharjah Warriors on Saturday.
First, though, he will be playing a set at the opening ceremony on Friday, an event which will also see Badshah and Jason Derulo performing. The show is due to start at 5.15pm, with the match set to begin at 6.45pm.
The cricketers maintain they are focused on performing on the playing field, with Bravo hoping he can share some of his expertise over the course of the next month.
“It's important for me to pass on whatever knowledge that I have about the game to my teammates and also develop the next generation of cricketers,” Bravo said.
According to Tom Moody, the Desert Vipers director of cricket, the competition will benefit UAE cricket over the long term.
“I am very excited about this project, mainly because this is the first time we have seen a franchise tournament that belongs to the UAE,” Moody said.
“We have seen a lot of cricket here in UAE over the years, through ICC tournaments and Pakistan having to play a lot of their cricket here.
“But I think, for the UAE to have their own cricket tournament, with as many international superstars playing in it across the six teams, I think is really important for the development of cricket in this region.
“I know with Phil, and conversations we have had with other management, it is very much a priority for us to make sure we are part of helping develop that side of cricket here in the UAE.
“This is not a short-term project. It is long-term, and hopefully our involvement can help fast track the game in this region.”
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RACECARD
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French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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
The story of Edge
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.
It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.
Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.
Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab
DIVINE%20INTERVENTOIN
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
Company%20profile
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Results
Stage three:
1. Stefan Bissegger (SUI) EF Education-EasyPost, in 9-43
2. Filippo Ganna (ITA) Ineos Grenadiers, at 7s
3. Tom Dumoulin (NED) Jumbo-Visma, at 14s
4. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE-Team Emirates, at 18s
5. Joao Almeida (POR) UAE-Team Emirates, at 22s
6. Mikkel Bjerg (DEN) UAE-Team Emirates, at 24s
General Classification:
1. Stefan Bissegger (SUI) EF Education-EasyPost, in 9-13-02
2. Filippo Ganna (ITA) Ineos Grenadiers, at 7s
3. Jasper Philipsen (BEL) Alpecin Fenix, at 12s
4. Tom Dumoulin (NED) Jumbo-Visma, at 14s
5. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE-Team Emirates, at 18s
6. Joao Almeida (POR) UAE-Team Emirates, at 22s
KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN MARITIME DISPUTE
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
