The DP World International League T20 is a mere 40 overs old, but it has already delivered its first feel-good story for UAE cricket.
Akif Rafa might have been forgiven for feeling a little starry-eyed while sharing a viewing area with teammates like Joe Root, Rovman Powell and Robin Uthappa during Friday’s lavish opening ceremony.
After all, this was by far the most high-profile cricket he has tasted in the six years since he left his native Lahore to take up a job as a storekeeper in Abu Dhabi.
As recently as last month, the 30-year-old Pakistani had been a net bowler for England when they were training in Dubai.
He has had a modest international career of his own so far, including five ODIs, three T20Is, plus around 18 months’ worth of carrying the drinks for his UAE national teammates.
So, when he was tossed the ball as his Dubai Capitals side went about defending 188 against Abu Dhabi Knights Riders, with thousands in the stands and potentially millions watching on TV, the nerves were tangible.
“This is a big league for us,” Raja said after his side had completed a comfortable debut win at Dubai International Stadium.
“We are Associate players, and not famous in the world. But I felt famous when I delivered the first ball.
“I was very excited. My first match, and I got my debut wicket. I just tried to bowl at the stumps and focus on the right length.”
With just his second delivery, he induced an edge from Brandon King, the Jamaican batter, which was easily taken at the wicket by Uthappa, the Indian Premier League veteran.
Raja was clearly ready for this, seeing as he already had a choreographed celebration routine. He stood with one arm in the air, and the other covering his mouth.
“I was playing in the D10 [a UAE domestic 10-over competition], and I had a little fight with a guy,” Raja explained.
“He is my good friend now, but after it, the umpires called me and said I should not do that – even though it was not my fault.
“After that, I called my mum. She said, ‘Please, Akif, don’t do that. Just keep your mouth quiet and focus on your cricket. Give your answers with your bat and ball'.
“That is why I did that celebration. It means: silence is not empty, it is full of answers.”
Raja has always followed the counsel of his mother, Nasreen Akhtar. After all, it is the main reason he is a cricketer.
His father, Raja Arif Ullah Khan, had been against the idea of his son pursuing such a precarious career.
“Before, he did not like cricket,” Raja said. “He said, ‘We don’t have a lot of money, cricket is not for you’. I just said, ‘Dad, please, give me a chance, I want to play cricket’.
“He told me not to play, but my mum always supported me. She just said, ‘No worries, you keep going. Keep playing cricket and don’t focus on what your dad says. Let him say what he says’.”
After playing one match of first-class cricket in Pakistan’s Qaid-e-Azam Trophy, Raja decided on a new, more financially secure life in the UAE six years ago.
He took a job with New Medical Centre in the UAE capital. He moved to Sharjah after being handed a new job with MGM on the strength of his cricket.
Soon after, he was attracting the attention of the national team. He made a match-defining impact on his UAE debut against Ireland in a T20I in 2022, but his chances have been limited since.
“I was injured, and I missed the T20 World Cup [in Australia in October],” he said.
“It was my dream to play in the World Cup, but it is a part of life. Alhamdulillah I am very happy to be part of ILT20 with Dubai Capitals. They arranged trials in Dubai, I bowled very well, and they picked me.”
Maybe a few tips from the famous friends he made while training with James Anderson, Jofra Archer, and the England Lions during their training camp at The Sevens, Dubai at the end of last year helped.
“Jofra Archer guided me a lot,” Raja said. “He told me I was good enough. He just suggested I focus on my line, try to bowl wicket to wicket, and hit the stumps.”
Sadly, Raja’s emergence in ILT20 has come too late to impress his father. Raja Arif died from Covid while his son was in Dubai playing cricket.
“I was playing in D10 when I found out the news my father had died,” he said. “I could not go to Pakistan after his death. I am very sad about it.”
After his uplifting performance on Friday night, Raja’s thoughts immediately returned to home.
“Before the start of the match I spoke with my mum,” he said.
“She gave me a lot of confidence. She is very happy that I am part of the ILT20. To be honest, when I am not playing in the starting XI, she is always very upset.
“Sometimes she is crying a lot. She doesn’t know a lot about cricket, she just wants to see me in front of the cameras.
“After tonight, I know she will be crying. When I call her on the video call, there will be tears. It was her dream for me to play for Pakistan.
“I didn’t get the chance there, but Alhamdulillah, I have got my chance in the UAE. She was very excited I was in the Abu Dhabi T10, and now she is excited I am in the ILT20.”
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1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
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- Becomes fifth batsman to score century in U19 final
- Becomes second Indian to score century in U19 final after Unmukt Chand in 2012
- Scored 122 in youth Test on tour of England
- Bought by Delhi Daredevils for base price of two million Indian rupees (Dh115,000) in 2018 IPL auction
Your Guide to the Home
- Level 1 has a valet service if you choose not to park in the basement level. This level houses all the kitchenware, including covetable brand French Bull, along with a wide array of outdoor furnishings, lamps and lighting solutions, textiles like curtains, towels, cushions and bedding, and plenty of other home accessories.
- Level 2 features curated inspiration zones and solutions for bedrooms, living rooms and dining spaces. This is also where you’d go to customise your sofas and beds, and pick and choose from more than a dozen mattress options.
- Level 3 features The Home’s “man cave” set-up and a display of industrial and rustic furnishings. This level also has a mother’s room, a play area for children with staff to watch over the kids, furniture for nurseries and children’s rooms, and the store’s design studio.
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Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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The biog
Name: Samar Frost
Born: Abu Dhabi
Hobbies: Singing, music and socialising with friends
Favourite singer: Adele
The Bio
Favourite vegetable: “I really like the taste of the beetroot, the potatoes and the eggplant we are producing.”
Holiday destination: “I like Paris very much, it’s a city very close to my heart.”
Book: “Das Kapital, by Karl Marx. I am not a communist, but there are a lot of lessons for the capitalist system, if you let it get out of control, and humanity.”
Musician: “I like very much Fairuz, the Lebanese singer, and the other is Umm Kulthum. Fairuz is for listening to in the morning, Umm Kulthum for the night.”
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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
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The Specs:
The Specs:
Engine: 2.9-litre, V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 444bhp
Torque: 600Nm
Price: AED 356,580 incl VAT
On sale: now.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
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The specs: 2018 Ford F-150
Price, base / as tested: Dh173,250 / Dh178,500
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 395hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 555Nm @ 2,750rpm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 12.4L / 100km
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The specs: 2018 Genesis G70
Price, base / as tested: Dh155,000 / Dh205,000
Engine: 3.3-litre, turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 370hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 510Nm @ 1,300rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.6L / 100km
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Produced by: Clean Slate Films (Anushka Sharma, Karnesh Sharma) & KriArj Entertainment
Director: Prosit Roy
Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor, Mansi Multani
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Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
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RESULTS
Dubai Kahayla Classic – Group 1 (PA) $750,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
Winner: Deryan, Ioritz Mendizabal (jockey), Didier Guillemin (trainer).
Godolphin Mile – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
Dubai Gold Cup – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (Turf) 3,200m
Winner: Subjectivist, Joe Fanning, Mark Johnston
Al Quoz Sprint – Group 1 (TB) $1million (T) 1,200m
Winner: Extravagant Kid, Ryan Moore, Brendan Walsh
UAE Derby – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Rebel’s Romance, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Dubai Golden Shaheen – Group 1 (TB) $1.5million (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zenden, Antonio Fresu, Carlos David
Dubai Turf – Group 1 (TB) $4million (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord North, Frankie Dettori, John Gosden
Dubai Sheema Classic – Group 1 (TB) $5million (T) 2,410m
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Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
match info
Chelsea 2
Willian (13'), Ross Barkley (64')
Liverpool 0
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
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THE SCORES
Ireland 125 all out
(20 overs; Stirling 72, Mustafa 4-18)
UAE 125 for 5
(17 overs, Mustafa 39, D’Silva 29, Usman 29)
UAE won by five wickets
