Former UAE captain Mohammed Naveed played 39 ODIs and 28 T20s for his country. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Former UAE captain Mohammed Naveed played 39 ODIs and 28 T20s for his country. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Former UAE captain Mohammed Naveed played 39 ODIs and 28 T20s for his country. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Former UAE captain Mohammed Naveed played 39 ODIs and 28 T20s for his country. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Mohammed Naveed and Shaiman Anwar banned from all cricket for eight years


Paul Radley
  • English
  • Arabic

Mohammed Naveed and Shaiman Anwar have been told they are paying for the “cynical betrayal of their positions, their teammates, and all supporters of UAE cricket” after they were banned from the sport for eight years.

The former UAE players were each found guilty in January of two charges of breaching cricket’s anti-corruption code.

Two months later the independent tribunal have announced their sanctions will be a period of ineligibility of eight years.

The ban is backdated to October 2019, which is when the two players were thrown out of the sport as part of a corruption investigation which rocked the sport here.

The former UAE players were found guilty of “being party to an agreement or effort to fix or contrive or otherwise influence improperly” matches at the 2019 T20 World Cup Qualifier.

The report stated they had discussed fixing aspects of matches against Oman and Ireland in that competition, in exchange for as much as Dh1 million.

The sanction fell short of the maximum for the offences for which they were found guilty, which was a life ban.

However, it almost certainly ends the career of both. They will be eligible to play again in October 2027. By that time, Shaiman will be 48, and Naveed 40.

According to Alex Marshall, the general manager of the ICC’s integrity department, the bans should serve as a warning to other players who consider taking the “wrong path”.

“Mohammad Naveed and Shaiman Anwar represented their adopted country, the UAE at the highest level in cricket,” Marshall said.

“Naveed was the captain and leading wicket-taker. Anwar was the opening bat. Both had long international careers and were well versed in the threat from match fixers.

“That they both chose to engage with this corrupt activity was a cynical betrayal of their positions, their teammates, and all supporters of UAE cricket.

“I am pleased that the independent tribunal has imposed significant bans from all forms of cricket and this should serve as a warning to any cricketer who considers taking the wrong path.”

The tribunal reached its verdict over their guilt after considering more than 400 pages of evidence from the ICC’s anti-corruption investigation, as well as a two-day hearing in November 2020.

In their 46-page report into the case, the tribunal stated that the duo’s “behaviour was wholly inconsistent with that of persons repelled by a corrupt approach”. Instead, they felt it to be “wholly consistent with that of persons who either instigated such an approach or were willing recipients of one.”

In their report reasoning out the length of the bans, the tribunal stated it “accepts that in appropriate cases the period could mean a lifetime ban from the sport - such cases including where a respondent has sought to corrupt others”.

“Mr Anwar and Mr Naveed’s offences did not amount to actual fixing," the report said

"Nor, in the tribunal’s view could their conduct be equated qualitatively to that which on a single occasion has attracted a lifetime ban.

“That said the tribunal considers that the imperatives referred to require in the present climate where corruption in cricket persists and meaningful deterrence is demanded, that sanctions substantially above the minimum are the appropriate starting point.”

Naveed is understood to be consider appealing his case at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and claims there “is not any proof against me”.

UAE batsman Shaiman Anwar in action during a Twenty20 international against Papua New Guinea in 2017. Pawan Singh / The National
UAE batsman Shaiman Anwar in action during a Twenty20 international against Papua New Guinea in 2017. Pawan Singh / The National

“As I served UAE cricket from tape ball to international [I] can't imagine just one mistake which I accepted [for not informing ICC’s anti-corruption unit of a corrupt approach] they will ban me for eight years,” Naveed wrote.

In his role as a fast bowler, Naveed reached the highest ranking in the ICC’s ratings of any UAE player in history, and he says he does not want to leave the sport in such circumstances.

“If they have proof just show on media openly,” Naveed wrote. “I am a fighter as I always bowl in pressure, and will face everything.

“[I] don't want to leave my cricket with bad and dirty way. All other players in the world are getting two year [or] three year ban after accepting everything. Even I haven’t done bad.”

Three other UAE players also remain banned by the ICC, pending an anti-corruption investigation into the sport in the Emirates.

Qadeer Ahmed, a seam bowler, was also suspended at the same time as Naveed and Shaiman, on a variety of charges of breaching cricket’s anti-corruption code.

In September 2020, opening batsman Ashfaq Ahmed and fast bowler Amir Hayat were formally charged with five counts of breaching the code.

“Emirates Cricket Board acknowledge the efforts of the independent tribunal and ICC Anti-Corruption Unit investigation, findings and sanctioning involving two of its suspended players; Mohammad Naveed and Shaiman Anwar Butt,” the ECB wrote in a statement.

“Emirates Cricket remains firm in its stance denouncing any activities of corruption and those undertaken by the players in this anti-corruption case.”

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Starring: John David Washington and Zendaya

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Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

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Rating: 3.5/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Bio

Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village

What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft

Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans

Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface

Monday's results
  • UAE beat Bahrain by 51 runs
  • Qatar beat Maldives by 44 runs
  • Saudi Arabia beat Kuwait by seven wickets
The five stages of early child’s play

From Dubai-based clinical psychologist Daniella Salazar:

1. Solitary Play: This is where Infants and toddlers start to play on their own without seeming to notice the people around them. This is the beginning of play.

2. Onlooker play: This occurs where the toddler enjoys watching other people play. There doesn’t necessarily need to be any effort to begin play. They are learning how to imitate behaviours from others. This type of play may also appear in children who are more shy and introverted.

3. Parallel Play: This generally starts when children begin playing side-by-side without any interaction. Even though they aren’t physically interacting they are paying attention to each other. This is the beginning of the desire to be with other children.

4. Associative Play: At around age four or five, children become more interested in each other than in toys and begin to interact more. In this stage children start asking questions and talking about the different activities they are engaging in. They realise they have similar goals in play such as building a tower or playing with cars.

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Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

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China

3.

UAE

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Japan

5

Norway

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Canada

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Singapore

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Australia

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Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

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

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

Global Fungi Facts

• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil

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

I Care A Lot

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Results

2.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Mezmar, Adam McLean (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer).

3pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 2,000m; Winner: AF Ajwad, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.

3.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m; Winner: Gold Silver, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel.

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4.30pm: Gulf Cup Prestige (PA) Dh150,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Momtaz, Saif Al Balushi, Musabah Al Muhairi.

5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 1,200m; Winner: Al Mushtashar, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

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Make Smart Cool is not your usual festival. Dubbed “edutainment” by organisers Najahi Events, Make Smart Cool aims to inspire its youthful target audience through a mix of interactive presentation by social media influencers and a concert finale featuring Example with DJ Wire. Here are some of the speakers sharing their inspiration and experiences on the night.
Prince Ea
With his social media videos accumulating more half a billion views, the American motivational speaker is hot on the college circuit in the US, with talks that focus on the many ways to generate passion and motivation when it comes to learning.
Khalid Al Ameri
The Emirati columnist and presenter is much loved by local youth, with writings and presentations about education, entrepreneurship and family balance. His lectures on career and personal development are sought after by the education and business sector.
Ben Ouattara
Born to an Ivorian father and German mother, the Dubai-based fitness instructor and motivational speaker is all about conquering fears and insecurities. His talk focuses on the need to gain emotional and physical fitness when facing life’s challenges. As well managing his film production company, Ouattara is one of the official ambassadors of Dubai Expo2020.

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What is dialysis?

Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.

It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.

There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.

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In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.

It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.

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What it means to be a conservationist

Who is Enric Sala?

Enric Sala is an expert on marine conservation and is currently the National Geographic Society's Explorer-in-Residence. His love of the sea started with his childhood in Spain, inspired by the example of the legendary diver Jacques Cousteau. He has been a university professor of Oceanography in the US, as well as working at the Spanish National Council for Scientific Research and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Biodiversity and the Bio-Economy. He has dedicated his life to protecting life in the oceans. Enric describes himself as a flexitarian who only eats meat occasionally.

What is biodiversity?

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, all life on earth – including in its forests and oceans – forms a “rich tapestry of interconnecting and interdependent forces”. Biodiversity on earth today is the product of four billion years of evolution and consists of many millions of distinct biological species. The term ‘biodiversity’ is relatively new, popularised since the 1980s and coinciding with an understanding of the growing threats to the natural world including habitat loss, pollution and climate change. The loss of biodiversity itself is dangerous because it contributes to clean, consistent water flows, food security, protection from floods and storms and a stable climate. The natural world can be an ally in combating global climate change but to do so it must be protected. Nations are working to achieve this, including setting targets to be reached by 2020 for the protection of the natural state of 17 per cent of the land and 10 per cent of the oceans. However, these are well short of what is needed, according to experts, with half the land needed to be in a natural state to help avert disaster.

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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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

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions