While Sri Lanka cricket continues to rebuild in the post-Mahela Jayawardene-Kumar Sangakkara era, their Under-19 team tour of Abu Dhabi did not provide much evidence that the nation's prospects are heading in the right direction.
They were in the UAE for an U19 tri-series against Afghanistan and Bangladesh that was followed by two games against the Afghans.
The islanders started the tri-series in promising fashion when they defeated Bangladesh but then lost the next three games, before losing both games in the series against Afghanistan.
Bangladesh, who are likely to host the U19 Asia Cup in December, emerged as winners of the tri-series after they defeated Afghanistan in the final.
The Sri Lanka U19 coach Jehan Mubarak, however, believes his team can take many positives going forward as they prepare for the Asia Cup and the U19 World Cup, which they host in January and February 2024.
The series were both arranged with short notice as Mubarak’s squad was picked after a three-week camp that included seven debutants.
“The tournament itself has been very good for the boys. The standard was very high, and playing under lights for the first time, and what we didn’t achieve in terms of results we gained through the experience,” Mubarak told The National on the concluding day of the tour on Sunday.
“The bowling, particularly the fast bowling, [standard] was very high. The challenges were different to what we get in Sri Lanka. For a young team on their first tour of this nature it was a new challenge.”
“We arrived after a short camp as this tour wasn’t in our schedule. We are obviously working on the World Cup cycle for next year and this tournament comes very early.
“However, it’s a very good exposure for our boys to play outside Sri Lanka and providing them as many international games on different conditions.”
Mubarak, 42, who played 13 Tests, 40 ODIs and 16 T20Is, will continue with their preparation back at base before playing a series against the visiting West Indies in August followed by another home series against Pakistan ahead of the Asia Cup.
“The tour to Abu Dhabi hosted by Afghanistan has given us an early start to learn from the mistakes,” Mubarak, a double international having represented Sri Lanka in both cricket and water polo, and in age-group swimming, pointed out.
“The attitude of the boys has been very good. We started well with a win and then lost the remaining games in both the tri-series, and the two bilateral games.
“Most of the games were close. We had the problem at the top as we lost wickets in the first 10 overs. We lost either two, three or even four down in the first 15 overs.
“The top order haven’t been able to handle the pace with the new ball during the power-play. That was the biggest learning we have had and, aside from that, we can take many positives forward.
“We conceded a lot of boundaries in the middle overs against the Afghan boys, who are strong lads. We were able to contain the scoring with spin in the second power play in Sri Lanka but it was hard on good batting tracks here in Abu Dhabi. We had to use pace in the second power play.”
The coach felt the bowlers lacked experience in bowling in those situations.
“Back in Sri Lanka, pace is used when the ball is new and then the last 10 overs,” he said.
“We also need to look at wicket-taking options from the fast bowling department, which we lacked here. We have largely used the fast bowling as a defensive option. There wasn’t much spin on these wickets.
“Obviously, we need to use these strategies depending on the conditions, like when we play in Sri Lanka, the game plans can be different to what we played in Abu Dhabi.
Mubarak’s objective is to prepare the youngsters not only for the U19 World Cup but to get them ready to play senior international cricket.
“The players must be able to adapt and adjust to the conditions from the day-night games in Abu Dhabi to the day games in Sri Lanka. This was a good experience,” he said.
“By the time they complete this U19 programme, hopefully they have all the skills to represent the national team.”
Shavon Daniel led the team, and it included Trevin Mathews, Theeraka Ranatunge and Chamath Gomes, who was a late replacement for an injured player.
“Shavon and Trevin were included to give them more experience of playing abroad and to bring the little experience they have to gel with the team,” Mubarak said.
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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's final round of matches
- Sep 1, 2016 Beat Japan 2-1 (away)
- Sep 6, 2016 Lost to Australia 1-0 (home)
- Oct 6, 2016 Beat Thailand 3-1 (home)
- Oct 11, 2016 Lost to Saudi Arabia 3-0 (away)
- Nov 15, 2016 Beat Iraq 2-0 (home)
- Mar 23, 2017 Lost to Japan 2-0 (home)
- Mar 28, 2017 Lost to Australia 2-0 (away)
- June 13, 2017 Drew 1-1 with Thailand (away)
- Aug 29, 2017 v Saudi Arabia (home)
- Sep 5, 2017 v Iraq (away)
THE RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Alnawar, Connor Beasley (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Raniah, Noel Garbutt, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 2,200m
Winner: Saarookh, Richard Mullen, Ana Mendez
6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Rated Conditions Dh125,000 1,600m
Winner: RB Torch, Tadhg O’Shea, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: MH Wari, Antonio Fresu, Elise Jeane
7.30pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,600m
Winner: Mailshot, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
Stage 5 results
1 Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 3:48:53
2 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana Pro Team -
3 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott -
4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 0:00:04
5 Ilnur Zakarin (RUS) CCC Team 0:00:07
General Classification:
1 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott 20:35:04
2 Tadej Pogacar (SlO) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:01
3 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana Pro Team 0:01:33
4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 0:01:48
5 Rafał Majka (POL) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:02:11
The specs: Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Price, base: Dh1 million (estimate)
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 563hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 850Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 15L / 100km
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
NBA FINALS SO FAR
(Toronto lead 3-2 in best-of-seven series)
Game 1 Raptors 118 Warriors 109
Game 2 Raptors 104 Warriors 109
Game 3 Warriors 109 Raptors 123
Game 4 Warriors 92 Raptors 105
Game 5 Raptors 105 Warriors 106
Game 6 Thursday, at Oakland
Game 7 Sunday, at Toronto (if needed)
Read more about the coronavirus
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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ANATOMY%20OF%20A%20FALL
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sole survivors
- 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.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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Abu Dhabi race card
5pm Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige | Dh110,000 | 1,400m
5.30pm Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige | Dh110,000 | 1,400m
6pm Abu Dhabi Championship Listed | Dh180,000 | 1,600m
6.30pm Maiden | Dh80,000 | 1,600m
7pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap | Dh80,000 | 1,400m
7.30pm Handicap (TB) |Dh100,000 | 2,400m
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814