It is with good reason that Alishan Sharafu has been tipped by many as a future star of UAE batting.
He became the third youngest player ever to feature for the senior national team when he debuted in a T20 tournament in Oman in February, a month after turning 17.
Even lockdown has barely slowed his progress. He scored an 83-ball 155 in an age-group competition last month, breaking his own record highest score in the process.
And then he razed senior-level bowlers in making a T10 hundred – something that none of the international stars of the Abu Dhabi T10 have managed yet in four seasons of that competition – in Ajman last week.
But the future had to wait on Tuesday morning when the schoolboy had to sit an English exam, a few hours after being named man of the match in a game in the new Dream 11 Emirates D20.
“The exam wasn’t too bad,” Sharafu said. “The school gave me consideration so I was able to start an hour late.
“I got home at 2am, and didn’t get to sleep till 3am, so I had told them I would not be able to see anything on the paper. In the end I was able to concentrate OK.”
Because of his cricket, Sharafu often misses time from school, but has extra tuition to ensure he will be well prepared for his final exams at the start of next year.
His teachers at Our Own High School in Al Warqa, Dubai have been understanding given his promise on the sports field.
On Monday night, he had scored 48 not out to win the game for ECB Blues, the UAE development team, against Dubai in the new, livestreamed T20 competition.
His innings will have impressed Robin Singh, the UAE coach who is in charge of the ECB side for this competition.
“He has been telling me to try to bat through the innings, whenever I get a chance,” Sharafu said of Singh’s influence.
“Yesterday, he told me the same thing: go out there, finish the innings, then come back.
“We have a young side, which is nice because we have a lot of energy. We can save an extra few runs on the field. Plus we have some seniors who guide us around.
“Whoever it is, whenever you get your opportunity you have to take that responsibility. You have to play the same role as the seniors from the national side.”
Sharafu’s development into one of the most destructive hitters in the domestic game contrasts with the start he had in the sport.
Obaid Hameed, a one-time UAE international player who moved into coaching when he was 22, recalls the first time he was Sharafu as a 10 year old.
“Ali has been with me since the first day the academy started way back in 2013,” said the founder of the Dubai-based Cricket School of Excellence.
“He started playing proper, hard-ball cricket at the academy when he was 10. I remember the first day clearly, his dad brought him, and said he would love him to play some hard ball cricket.
“He was a chubby kid, really, really shy. I asked him what he did, and he said: ‘I bowl. I bowl fast.’
"And he was actually pretty fast for a 10 year old. From there, I saw something really special in him.”
Soon after, the youngster’s ability to clear the fence with the bat became apparent.
“Ever since I was young I’ve always loved hitting sixes,” Sharafu said.
“I’ve always been an aggressive kind of batsman. I used to watch AB de Villiers bat quite a lot, and he could hit a six to any side of the ground.
"That was what I wanted to do, but more recently I’ve been watching Virat Kohli.
“He is a fighter, and gets his team out of tough situations, and tries to get them over the line.”
Hameed believes his protege’s six-hitting ability could make him a candidate for a place in some of the world’s biggest franchise leagues in the future.
“Ali was a special one from day one,” coach Hameed said.
“He has had his ups and downs, but I knew that one day he could make it big, and even now I hope that he does, having achieved so much by the age of 17.
“I think he is one of the few players who has the potential to put their name in the hat going forward for international leagues, including the IPL.
“He has that potential, because of the way he plays his cricket, and because he is a really cool, nice kid.
“He is always happy to help out the youngsters at our academy, and is always there for people. He is a good team man.
“You need all these attributes to make it to the top, not just the talent side. It is a proud moment for us to see what he is achieving and we wish him all the best.”
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MORE ON TURKEY'S SYRIA OFFENCE
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
MATCH STATS
Wolves 0
Aston Villa 1 (El Ghazi 90 4' pen)
Red cards: Joao Moutinho (Wolves); Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa)
Man of the match: Emi Martinez (Aston Villa)
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Director: Romany Saad
Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari
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South Africa squad
: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada.
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If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
Most F1 world titles
7 — Michael Schumacher (1994, ’95, 2000, ’01 ’02, ’03, ’04)
7 — Lewis Hamilton (2008, ’14,’15, ’17, ’18, ’19, ’20)
5 — Juan Manuel Fangio (1951, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57)
4 — Alain Prost (1985, ’86, ’89, ’93)
4 — Sebastian Vettel (2010, ’11, ’12, ’13)
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
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
UAE Premiership
Results
Dubai Exiles 24-28 Jebel Ali Dragons
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 43-27 Dubai Hurricanes
Fixture
Friday, March 29, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons, The Sevens, Dubai
Elvis
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DUBAI CARNIVAL RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap US$135,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner Dubai Future, Harry Bentley (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).
7.05pm UAE 1000 Guineas Listed $250,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner Dubai Love, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
7.40pm Dubai Dash Listed $175,000 (T) 1,000m
Winner: Equilateral, James Doyle, Charles Hills.
8.15pm Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions $100,000 (D) 1.900m
Winner Laser Show, Kevin Stott, Saeed bin Suroor.
8.50pm Al Fahidi Fort Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Glorious Journey, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby.
9.25pm Handicap $135,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner George Villiers, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Day 3, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage, the Sri Lanka pace bowler, has had to play a lot of cricket to earn a shot at the top level. The 29-year-old debutant first played a first-class game 11 years ago. His first Test wicket was one to savour, bowling Pakistan opener Shan Masood through the gate. It set the rot in motion for Pakistan’s batting.
Stat of the day – 73 Haris Sohail took 73 balls to hit a boundary. Which is a peculiar quirk, given the aggressive intent he showed from the off. Pakistan’s batsmen were implored to attack Rangana Herath after their implosion against his left-arm spin in Abu Dhabi. Haris did his best to oblige, smacking the second ball he faced for a huge straight six.
The verdict One year ago, when Pakistan played their first day-night Test at this ground, they held a 222-run lead over West Indies on first innings. The away side still pushed their hosts relatively close on the final night. With the opposite almost exactly the case this time around, Pakistan still have to hope they can salvage a win from somewhere.
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