A new captain, an uncharacteristic minefield of a pitch, and an almost entirely different opposition, yet the same old problems persist for the UAE.
The new dawn for the national team in one-day international cricket began in inauspicious fashion as they suffered a six-wicket loss to new-look Oman in Muscat.
It was their seventh defeat in eight games in Cricket World Cup League 2, and the reasons were the same as they have always been. A side who have made 250 just twice in their past 19 ODIs failed to make it as far as 150 this time around.
Muhammad Waseem, playing his first game back among the ranks after ditching the captaincy to try to improve his own batting, top scored with 44.
Rahul Chopra, Waseem’s replacement in charge, was undone by a fine delivery which meant he saw in his first game as UAE captain with a duck.
Chopra's dismissal came in the middle of a collapse which proved terminal to the UAE’s prospects of a win on the opening day of a tri-series which also includes the Netherlands, who they face on Sunday.
If the UAE have been struggling of late in the ODI format, they are not the only ones. Oman were the runners up in the last cycle of this competition, but their start to this one has been alarming.
Their response to a troubled tour of Canada in September, in which poor results on the field were mirrored by internal conflict off it, was dramatic.
All the established stars of their side, including the two former captains Zeeshan Maqsood and Aqib Ilyas, were absent for the first game of the latest tri-series.
It meant they had four players making their ODI debuts, of which two really excelled. Samay Shrivastav made the most of the helpful conditions as he took 4-25 with his leg spin. That hastened the UAE from 98-3 to 128 all out.
The pitch in Al Amerat is known for being a batting paradise. Two batters – Jaskaran Malhotra for the United States and Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee – have hit six sixes in an over in full internationals at this ground.
The UAE themselves have a strong affinity with the place. Five of their six highest totals, albeit in their preferred format of T20, have come at the Oman Cricket Academy venue.
And yet it was the opposite this time around, as the pitch took pronounced turn from the start. The Emerging Team Asia Cup, won by Afghanistan, was played at this ground last month, but it was still surprising how dry and dusty the wicket was.
It meant that the UAE attacked from the off with spin, and had genuine hope of defending their paltry tally when they had Oman 21 for three in the 12th over.
The UAE’s own debutant, Dhruv Parashar, opened both the batting and – with his off-spin – the bowling, too. He struck twice early in the away side’s defence. By the time he had finished his quota, he had figures of two for 16 from his 10 overs.
“I am sad that we lost on my debut, but I am proud of myself that I have got this opportunity,” Parashar said.
“It is thanks to a lot of people’s hard work that I am here. The coaches have seen something in me and I am very grateful for that and I will always be grateful for that.
“At 19, having debuted in both T20 and ODI, it is a great feeling. I am sad I wasn’t able to contribute with the bat having opened the batting.
“I was happy with the way I bowled but at the end of the day that doesn’t really matter if it comes in a losing cause. If we could have won, that would have been the best start I could have hoped for.”
It says much about the situation the UAE’s ODI side find themselves in that their biggest threats with the ball against Oman had started this calendar year as captain and vice-captain of the UAE’s Under-19 side.
Nineteen-year-old Parashar’s new-ball ally was his former age-group skipper, Aayan Khan. Despite still being only 18, Aayan’s status as the leader of the senior team’s spin department has long been established.
He was a constant threat again here, but had to wait until the last ball of his eighth over for some success.
It was then that Aayan had Hammad Mirza caught on the boundary rope by Mohammed Farooq, who juggled the chance four times before getting it under control.
The dismissal was well deserved by Aayan, not just for his customary skill with the ball but for the fact he was playing through pain, having been off the field for treatment on a thumb injury. He finished with 1-23 from his 10 overs.
Despite the efforts of the teen duo, Oman were able to see themselves safely through to the win, with Ashish Odedra, a 33-year-old opener making his debut, making the game’s only half century in the process. He hit the winning single off Junaid Siddique as the home team sealed the win with 38 balls to spare.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
U19 World Cup in South Africa
Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka
Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies
Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe
Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE
UAE fixtures
Saturday, January 18, v Canada
Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan
Saturday, January 25, v South Africa
UAE squad
Aryan Lakra (captain), Vriitya Aravind, Deshan Chethyia, Mohammed Farazuddin, Jonathan Figy, Osama Hassan, Karthik Meiyappan, Rishabh Mukherjee, Ali Naseer, Wasi Shah, Alishan Sharafu, Sanchit Sharma, Kai Smith, Akasha Tahir, Ansh Tandon
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
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20profile%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYodawy%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Egypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKarim%20Khashaba%2C%20Sherief%20El-Feky%20and%20Yasser%20AbdelGawad%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHealthTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2424.5%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlgebra%20Ventures%2C%20Global%20Ventures%2C%20MEVP%20and%20Delivery%20Hero%20Ventures%2C%20among%20others%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20500%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE SPECS
Engine: 4.4-litre V8
Transmission: Automatic
Power: 530bhp
Torque: 750Nm
Price: Dh535,000
On sale: Now
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Uefa Champions League play-off
First leg: Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Ajax v Dynamo Kiev
Second leg: Tuesday, August 28, 11pm (UAE)
Dynamo Kiev v Ajax
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
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E470hp%2C%20338kW%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20620Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh491%2C500%20(estimate)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
