New Zealand have a golden opportunity to add some silverware to their admittedly modest trophy collection when they face India in the final of the Champions Trophy in Dubai on Sunday.
Mitchell Santner's side stormed into the title match of the 50-over competition after a comprehensive 50-run win against South Africa in their semi-final in Lahore on Wednesday.
Owing to the complicated schedule of the tournament due to India's refusal to travel to Pakistan over political tension, New Zealand were asked to travel from Dubai to Pakistan after Sunday's group-phase match, face the Proteas in Lahore on Wednesday and then travel back to the UAE to face India again on Sunday.
Travelling issues aside, New Zealand will be confident of their chances against Rohit Sharma's team despite their loss to them in the group phase.
Advantage New Zealand?
The Black Caps have won two major ICC trophies in their cricket history - the 50-over Champions Trophy in 2000 and the 2021 World Test Championship.
In both those finals, New Zealand defeated India. It further bolstered the Kiwis' good head-to-head record against the team in blue in ICC knockout matches.
New Zealand defeated India in the 2019 World Cup semi-finals as well. Their first defeat to India in an ICC tournament knockout came during the 2023 ODI World Cup in Mumbai, where they lost a high-scoring semi-final.
In that semi-final, New Zealand were well placed at one stage in their chase of 398, eventually falling short by 70 runs after a tremendous seven-wicket haul by pacer Mohammad Shami.
With history on their side, New Zealand should feel upbeat about their chances.
All eyes on Rachin
Another big positive for New Zealand is the form of up-and-coming batter Rachin Ravindra. The hugely talented left-hander got out cheaply against India in their group-phase match but bounced back by smashing 108 from 101 balls against South Africa.
His innings, along with an equally enterprising 102 from Kane Williamson, helped his team post a record total of 362-6 which proved beyond South Africa's reach despite a quickfire century from David Miller.
In a short career, Ravindra has turned into an ICC tournament behemoth with all of his five ODI centuries coming in big tournaments – three in the 2023 World Cup and two in the ongoing Champions Trophy.
It could have all gone horribly for the southpaw, who got hit right above the eye while fielding during a tri-series match in Lahore just before the Champions Trophy.
Luckily, he avoided a major injury and will now look to make his mark in Dubai.
"Rachin is an incredibly special talent," said Williamson after sharing a 164-run stand with the young batsman against South Africa.
"It's always great to bat with him. He goes out and he puts the team first and he plays with that freedom."
After struggling against India's spinners in Dubai, New Zealand batsmen regained some much needed form in Lahore and should now feel ready to tackle the tricky batting conditions that are expected at the Dubai International Stadium.
"The conditions are different, so it's important that we try and take away some of those positives and be nice and clear in how we're trying to operate come the final," Williamson added.
Injury concerns
The only worry for the Kiwis will be the fitness of their pace spearhead Matt Henry.
The right-arm seamer has troubled India in 50-over cricket, picking up the player-of-the-match award in the 2019 World Cup semi-final and also snaring five wickets in a losing cause in Dubai last Sunday.
However, Henry picked up a shoulder injury while fielding against South Africa in the semi-final. Having a fully fit Henry for the final will be crucial as the new ball has done quite a bit in Dubai.
Captain Santner said the team is awaiting Henry's fitness update.
"Have to wait and see how Matt Henry's shoulder is. It's a bit sore, we have to wait for a couple of days and see," he said.
However, New Zealand still have some cushion as pacers Kyle Jamieson and Will O'Rourke bowled admirably against India and have enjoyed considerable success against the team in blue in the past.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Ashes 2019 schedule
August 1-5: First Test, Edgbaston
August 14-18: Second Test, Lord's
August 22-26: Third Test, Headingley
September 4-8: Fourth Test, Old Trafford
September 12-16: Fifth Test, Oval
GREATEST ROYAL RUMBLE CARD
The line-up as it stands for the Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia on April 27
50-man Royal Rumble
Universal Championship
Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns
Casket match
The Undertaker v Rusev
Intercontinental Championship
Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
SmackDown Tag Team Championship
The Bludgeon Brothers v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship
Sheamus and Cesaro v Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy
United States Championship
Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
Singles match
Triple H v John Cena
To be confirmed
AJ Styles will defend his WWE World Heavyweight title and Cedric Alexander his Cruiserweight Championship, but matches have yet to be announced
The five pillars of Islam
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
The five pillars of Islam
More on Quran memorisation:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Maxus T60
Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder
Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm
Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Brief scoreline
Switzerland 0
England 0
Result: England win 6-5 on penalties
Man of the Match: Trent Alexander-Arnold (England)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20SupplyVan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2029%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MRO%20and%20e-commerce%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Haltia.ai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Arto%20Bendiken%20and%20Talal%20Thabet%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20AI%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2041%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20About%20%241.7%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self%2C%20family%20and%20friends%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to help
Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
2252 - Dh50
6025 - Dh20
6027 - Dh100
6026 - Dh200
In numbers
1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:
- 800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
- 150 tonnes to landfill
- 50 tonnes sold as scrap metal
800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal
Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year
25 staff on site
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Recipe
Garlicky shrimp in olive oil
Gambas Al Ajillo
Preparation time: 5 to 10 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
180ml extra virgin olive oil; 4 to 5 large cloves of garlic, minced or pureed (or 3 to 4 garlic scapes, roughly chopped); 1 or 2 small hot red chillies, dried (or ¼ teaspoon dried red chilli flakes); 400g raw prawns, deveined, heads removed and tails left intact; a generous splash of sweet chilli vinegar; sea salt flakes for seasoning; a small handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
Method
▶ Heat the oil in a terracotta dish or frying pan. Once the oil is sizzling hot, add the garlic and chilli, stirring continuously for about 10 seconds until golden and aromatic.
▶ Add a splash of sweet chilli vinegar and as it vigorously simmers, releasing perfumed aromas, add the prawns and cook, stirring a few times.
▶ Once the prawns turn pink, after 1 or 2 minutes of cooking, remove from the heat and season with sea salt flakes.
▶ Once the prawns are cool enough to eat, scatter with parsley and serve with small forks or toothpicks as the perfect sharing starter. Finish off with crusty bread to soak up all that flavour-infused olive oil.
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Leganes v Getafe (12am)
Levante v Alaves (4pm)
Real Madrid v Sevilla (7pm)
Osasuna v Valladolid (9.30pm)
Sunday
Eibar v Atletico Madrid (12am)
Mallorca v Valencia (3pm)
Real Betis v Real Sociedad (5pm)
Villarreal v Espanyol (7pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Celta Vigo (9.30pm)
Monday
Barcelona v Granada (12am)
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Read more about the coronavirus
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
The five pillars of Islam
