England began training for the three-match Pakistan Test series in Multan even as the focus remained on Ben Stokes' fitness.
Stokes is back in the England team after an extended period away due to a hamstring injury. Stokes' comeback plans earlier hit an unexpected snag as the Pakistan tour was plunged into chaos over availability of venues in the country as many grounds were undergoing renovation for next year's Champions Trophy.
There were even rumours of one match being moved to the UAE. However, the venues were finalised recently, with Multan set to host the first two Test matches and Rawalpindi the third. The opening match begins on Monday.
England began training on Friday with Stokes batting in the nets and also bowling a handful of balls. However, there is no clarity over the fitness of Stokes. He was anyhow not expected to bowl at the beginning of the series.
Batsman Zak Crawley suggested the management could take a late call on Stokes' selection.
"He seems to be going well, recovering well from his injury," Crawley said. "We don't know just yet. I think he's got to do a few more tests, but he's been doing some running and stuff."
If Stokes is unavailable to bowl, England will have to bolster their bowling attack on what is expected to be flat batting conditions in Pakistan.
However, the visitors will have fond memories from their last tour of the country where they went on a run-scoring spree, smashing the hosts 3-0. Harry Brook scored three centuries while spinners thrived during their 2022 visit as coach Brendon McCullum and Stokes' aggressive approach to Test cricket bore fruit.
They suffered a big setback during their subsequent tour of India, losing 4-1, but did find themselves in commanding positions at various stages. Now back in Pakistan, England will look to go on the attack once again against a team that is low on confidence.
The Pakistan team has been plagued by uncertainty, lack of leadership and poor results for a long period.
On Wednesday, Babar Azam resigned as white-ball captain for the second time within one year. Pakistan has now gone through four coaches, three board heads and four captains in the past two years, while also sliding down international standings in both red and white ball formats.
Pakistan recently suffered a crushing 2-0 Test series defeat at home against Bangladesh, highlighting how far they have fallen within a short span.
Also, a number of candidates for the captain's position have emerged in the Pakistan camp, leading to fears of a lack of unity in the squad.
However, their Test captain Shan Masood insisted the group is on the same page.
"Every captain has their own style," the left-handed batsman said. "I focus on keeping the environment in the dressing room well. That is my primary concern. I have never seen a lack of unity or effort by the boys. There are some cricketing aspects to how we need to improve, but I have no complaints regarding unity."
The series will have little bearing on the World Test Championship table as both sides, especially Pakistan, are not likely to make it to the top two by the end of the current cycle and qualify for the final at Lord's next year.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
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Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
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VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
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
About Housecall
Date started: July 2020
Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech
# of staff: 10
Funding to date: Self-funded
If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
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Who are the Sacklers?
The Sackler family is a transatlantic dynasty that owns Purdue Pharma, which manufactures and markets OxyContin, one of the drugs at the centre of America's opioids crisis. The family is well known for their generous philanthropy towards the world's top cultural institutions, including Guggenheim Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, Tate in Britain, Yale University and the Serpentine Gallery, to name a few. Two branches of the family control Purdue Pharma.
Isaac Sackler and Sophie Greenberg were Jewish immigrants who arrived in New York before the First World War. They had three sons. The first, Arthur, died before OxyContin was invented. The second, Mortimer, who died aged 93 in 2010, was a former chief executive of Purdue Pharma. The third, Raymond, died aged 97 in 2017 and was also a former chief executive of Purdue Pharma.
It was Arthur, a psychiatrist and pharmaceutical marketeer, who started the family business dynasty. He and his brothers bought a small company called Purdue Frederick; among their first products were laxatives and prescription earwax remover.
Arthur's branch of the family has not been involved in Purdue for many years and his daughter, Elizabeth, has spoken out against it, saying the company's role in America's drugs crisis is "morally abhorrent".
The lawsuits that were brought by the attorneys general of New York and Massachussetts named eight Sacklers. This includes Kathe, Mortimer, Richard, Jonathan and Ilene Sackler Lefcourt, who are all the children of either Mortimer or Raymond. Then there's Theresa Sackler, who is Mortimer senior's widow; Beverly, Raymond's widow; and David Sackler, Raymond's grandson.
Members of the Sackler family are rarely seen in public.
The biog
Name: Shamsa Hassan Safar
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Degree in emergency medical services at Higher Colleges of Technology
Favourite book: Between two hearts- Arabic novels
Favourite music: Mohammed Abdu and modern Arabic songs
Favourite way to spend time off: Family visits and spending time with friends
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Full Party in the Park line-up
2pm – Andreah
3pm – Supernovas
4.30pm – The Boxtones
5.30pm – Lighthouse Family
7pm – Step On DJs
8pm – Richard Ashcroft
9.30pm – Chris Wright
10pm – Fatboy Slim
11pm – Hollaphonic
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
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