Come-and-get-me pleas do not come any more emphatic.
Asif Khan must have been wondering how he had been overlooked by the six DP World International League T20 franchises so far anyway.
After all, he does hold the record for the fastest century by an associate cricketer in one-day internationals.
He is also renowned as one of the most dynamic power hitters UAE domestic cricket has seen, having hit – by his estimation – around 25,000 runs over the course of seven years here.
Then, in the final two evenings of the ILT20 development tournament in Dubai, he made it as clear as possible.
On Monday he played his side, the Braves, into the final with a clinical, 50-ball innings of 73.
The following night, while a band played and guests dined at a gala dinner pitch side at the ICC Academy, he was just extraordinary.
The Braves only required 115 to win the tournament against a Blitzers side who have been suffering an availability crisis.
With such a meagre target he might have feared he had too few runs to cause an impression, on the last chance everyone had to advertise themselves to the main ILT20 franchises.
But this is Asif Khan. The chase was all about him as he smashed 96 not out in 47 balls to hurry his side to a nine-wicket win with just under eight overs to spare.
He was involved in a 46-run partnership for the first wicket and an unbroken one worth 71 for the second. His batting partners contributed nine and seven respectively. His haul was 82 per cent of his team’s total.
At least Ryan ten Doeschate was taking note. The former Kolkata Knight Riders and Netherlands all-rounder attended the whole tournament in his role as a talent scout.
While there was plenty of talent to be scouted, it was clear who shone the brightest.
“Inshallah I am very hopeful [of getting picked for the ILT20] having been the best batsman in this tournament,” Asif said.
“Maybe I will be a draft pick, let’s see. Three or four teams have contacted me but I would be very happy to play for any team.
“My favourite player is Andre Russell [of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders]. He is a big hitter of the ball and that is why. He is a strong man who can smash the ball out of the park.”
The 90 players who were involved in the development tournament were competing for the remaining 13 places on offer for domestic players for season two of the ILT20, which will start in January.
The six franchises will make their selections via a version of a draft system. Players will be able to choose which price band they are entered in at, with three salaries on offer. They are $40,000, $20,000 and $10,000.
Not all the players involved in the development tournament are UAE qualified yet. Some have only lived in the country for just over a year, and thus have some time to go until they are eligible to represent the national team via the ICC’s three-year residency qualification.
However, a criteria of their participation – and, subsequently, as a domestic player in the ILT20 – is they declared their intention to represent the UAE in future.
Asif himself has been playing for the national team since March 2022 and he believes the development tournament was of great value for the game here.
“We have seen a lot of new players coming through like [his Braves teammates] Haider Ali and Abdul Ghaffar,” Asif said.
“It has also been good competition for the national team players who will be part of the squad for the T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier [in Nepal, starting at the end of this month].”
'THE WORST THING YOU CAN EAT'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Rating: 4/5
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, semi-final result:
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona
Liverpool win 4-3 on aggregate
Champions Legaue final: June 1, Madrid
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Five%20calorie-packed%20Ramadan%20drinks
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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
SPECS
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
