If the UAE cricketers who are playing in the DP World International League T20 are supposed to be overawed by sharing a field with some of the stars of the global game, then no one told Junaid Siddique.
For the second time in the space of four days, Sharjah Warriors were soundly beaten by MI Emirates on Tuesday, but fast bowler Siddique refused to go down without a fight. Almost literally.
At one point in the final throes of the encounter at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, it seemed highly possible he was about to come to blows with a player who is arguably the biggest star – both literally and figuratively - in the event.
Siddique was handed the ball with MI Emirates needing just 17 to win, and plenty of time to do it in. At the other end was the imposing figure of Kieron Pollard.
When the Trinidadian played and missed at the second ball, Siddique had something to say. Pollard, who had earlier walloped an extraordinary 101m six onto the pavilion roof, laced the next two balls for four and six.
Then, on the fifth ball of the over, he played over the top of a back of a length delivery and had his bails removed – much to the delight of Siddique.
The UAE fast bowler followed through to the line on which Pollard would have to walk back to the dressing room, stood there and stared, with his arms folded.
Aficionados of cricket’s short format will know that Pollard can be short-tempered if he is really pushed.
Back in 2014, he had an ugly altercation with Mitchell Starc at a game in the Indian Premier League, which saw the towering Trinidadian make to throw his bat in the direction of the Australian quick. Coincidentally, Starc has been rarely spotted in the IPL in the time since.
With that in mind, Pollard’s first few steps towards Siddique were tense. He approached his orbit, poked him in the stomach with his bat – then proceeded to wrap and arm around his shoulder, and the duo walked cheerfully back towards the pavilion together.
“No, why would I?” Siddique said when asked if was fearing he had overstepped the mark with his counterpart.
“If I was the sort of person to be intimidated, I would not have gone up to him in the first place.
“I didn't sledge him. In fact he kept staring at me from the non-striker's end, too, while I was bowling. That's why, when I took his wicket, I just went, stood up and just looked at him.”
When Siddique had first begun his contretemps with Pollard earlier in the over, it appeared as though both Nicholas Pooran, the non-striker, and Moeen Ali, his captain, were questioning the wisdom of it all.
In fact, both were offering tactical advice, according to Siddique.
“Pooran was telling me not to bowl full up to him, to his strength areas,” said Siddique, who had been a teammate of Pooran’s in the Abu Dhabi T10 in the past.
“But I told him that's my plan. We could not be defensive. We were bowling to a lesser total and I had to attack.
“[And Moeen] was saying, ‘Stick to what you have to do, like focus on your line and length and not put too much variations in spell. It was not related to that incident.”
The incident ended so jovially, it appeared as though Siddique and Pollard might be making dinner plans as they strolled back to the pavilion together. Not so, according to Siddique.
“Pollard also told me the same thing as Pooran,” he said.
“He was wondering why I was bowling fuller to him and in his range. And I told him the same thing. He hit me for a six and I took his wicket.”
Although his side lost, Siddique’s duel with Pollard proved what his UAE colleagues have long known: that he will not shirk a battle, no matter who the opponent is.
“I have always played the way I do,” Siddique said.
“Pollard is such a senior guy. He has played more matches than I have watched in my life.
“But when you are on the field, you have to back your skills and especially against a player of his stature. If one gets daunted by reputation, it's just not cricket.”
FIXTURES
Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)
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
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
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'C'mon C'mon'
Director:Mike Mills
Stars:Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, Woody Norman
Rating: 4/5
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
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
World Cricket League Division 2
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday, February 8 v Kenya; Friday, February 9 v Canada; Sunday, February 11 v Nepal; Monday, February 12 v Oman; Wednesday, February 14 v Namibia; Thursday, February 15 final
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
'Peninsula'
Stars: Gang Dong-won, Lee Jung-hyun, Lee Ra
Director: Yeon Sang-ho
Rating: 2/5
UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
Famous left-handers
- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
- Leonardo Di Vinci
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Albert Einstein
- Jack the Ripper
- Barack Obama
- Helen Keller
- Joan of Arc
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
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