When CP Rizwan reached a century for the first time in his international cricket career on Friday afternoon, his respective cheer squads in Sharjah and Kerala responded in contrasting fashion.
In Tellicherry, it meant his mother, Nazreen Rauf, was able to breathe again, after she had been asphyxiated with nerves as he battled through the 90s.
Meanwhile, in Sharjah, his wife Fathima thought to herself: that’s the first job done – now go and win the match for your team.
As it turned out, he fell before the mission was fully complete. But his innings of 109, and contribution to a seminal alliance worth 184 with Mohammed Usman, had done the trick.
Usman made a century, too, and hit the winning runs as the UAE sealed a six-wicket win over Ireland in the first one-day international in Abu Dhabi.
The partnership was the highest ever in the UAE’s ODI history, and the win just their second against a Test nation in the format.
Rizwan termed it the proudest moment of his career in cricket to date, and he immediately phoned his nearest and dearest to celebrate.
“First I called my wife – she was very happy – then my mother,” Rizwan, 32, said.
“They are the main two people in my life. My mother is in Kerala. She was watching the match live on the telecast.
“She could not watch when I got into the 90s. She was asking my cousins to update her as she was very nervous.
“When I got to 100, she was very happy. She already started getting messages from all our relatives.”
It was the first competitive action for the UAE in nearly 11 months because of the pandemic.
Rizwan’s day job is as an electrical engineer for a construction company, and he had to go to his office even during lockdown.
When time permitted back then, he honed his cricket skills in the front room of his apartment in Sharjah, with his wife giving him throw-downs.
Fathima had not been a fan of cricket till she met her husband. Now she is a canny student of the game.
“She watched till I got to 50, then by God’s grace I got to 100, and she said I should have finished the match,” Rizwan said.
Dual blow
“I said, ‘We won, it’s fine!’ It was a good catch that got me out.
"I got out with around 25 needed, but we knew we had the power at the back end to finish it off, and that’s exactly what happened.”
The victory said much about UAE’s character. Paul Stirling had scored a fine hundred as Ireland posted 269 for five from their 50 overs for a side who had beaten world champions England the last time they had played.
The UAE were then struggling at 51 for three, before the Rizwan-Usman resistance.
Even before that, the national team had been hit by a dual blow. It was announced on the morning of the game that Chirag Suri and Aryan Lakra had tested positive for Covid 19.
Neither is displaying symptoms, but it meant Lakra was deprived a shot at a debut, while the team were denied the services of their vice-captain, Suri.
“We were sad about the news, and we really missed him, given the calibre which he has,” Rizwan said of the loss of opener Suri.
“But we can’t do much it. We were shocked to hear the news, but we gelled together.
"We said, whatever is gone is gone, now we need to play. That is what we did, and luckily everything went our way.”
The win was a pick-me-up for Ahmed Raza, the UAE captain, who was playing his first match since returning from his father’s funeral in Pakistan.
“I asked the boys to do it for me,” Raza said. “I lost my father recently. This is the first international game since that.
“This is for him, and I’m sure he was blessing me from the heavens.”
The sides will play the second of their four ODIs at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Sunday, with Andy Balbirnie, the Ireland captain, confident his side can bounce back.
“We can certainly learn from that,” Balbirnie said of the opening day loss.
“We haven’t played cricket in a long time, but the games are coming thick and fast.
"We have had a better look at their batsmen, and we have to sit down and come up with some different plans.
“It is a big challenge for us to turn this around, 1-0 down with three to go. As long as we are getting better with every game, I can’t really ask for much more.”
MATCH INFO
Delhi Daredevils 174-4 (20 ovs)
Mumbai Indians 163 (19.3 ovs)
Delhi won the match by 11 runs
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
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The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
What is the definition of an SME?
SMEs in the UAE are defined by the number of employees, annual turnover and sector. For example, a “small company” in the services industry has six to 50 employees with a turnover of more than Dh2 million up to Dh20m, while in the manufacturing industry the requirements are 10 to 100 employees with a turnover of more than Dh3m up to Dh50m, according to Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development.
A “medium-sized company” can either have staff of 51 to 200 employees or 101 to 250 employees, and a turnover less than or equal to Dh200m or Dh250m, again depending on whether the business is in the trading, manufacturing or services sectors.
How tumultuous protests grew
- A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
- Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved
- Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
- At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
- Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars
- Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
- An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
England 19 (Try: Tuilagi; Cons: Farrell; Pens: Ford (4)
New Zealand 7 (Try: Savea; Con: Mo'unga)
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A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Match info
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Liverpool v Porto, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)
Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
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
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
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The flights: South African Airways flies from Dubai International Airport with a stop in Johannesburg, with prices starting from around Dh4,000 return. Emirates can get you there with a stop in Lusaka from around Dh4,600 return.
The details: Visas are available for 247 Zambian kwacha or US$20 (Dh73) per person on arrival at Livingstone Airport. Single entry into Victoria Falls for international visitors costs 371 kwacha or $30 (Dh110). Microlight flights are available through Batoka Sky, with 15-minute flights costing 2,265 kwacha (Dh680).
Accommodation: The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel by Anantara is an ideal place to stay, within walking distance of the falls and right on the Zambezi River. Rooms here start from 6,635 kwacha (Dh2,398) per night, including breakfast, taxes and Wi-Fi. Water arrivals cost from 587 kwacha (Dh212) per person.
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TUESDAY'S ORDER OF PLAY
Centre Court
Starting at 2pm:
Elina Svitolina (UKR) [3] v Jennifer Brady (USA)
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) v Belinda Bencic (SUI [4]
Not before 7pm:
Sofia Kenin (USA) [5] v Elena Rybakina (KAZ)
Maria Sakkari (GRE) v Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) [7]
Court One
Starting at midday:
Karolina Muchova (CZE) v Katerina Siniakova (CZE)
Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) v Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR)
Veronika Kudermetova (RUS) v Dayana Yastermska (UKR)
Petra Martic (CRO) [8] v Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE)
Sorana Cirstea (ROU) v Anett Kontaveit (EST)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
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Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
