The HBL Pakistan Super League has reached the halfway stage, with Quetta Gladiators in pole position in the pursuit of the playoff places.
The top four sides will advance to the knockout stage of the competition, which will be played in Lahore and Karachi. Which players need to up their game if they are going to help their sides make it?
1. Quetta Gladiators
Top of the class: Sarfraz Ahmed
The batting average of the captain of the league leaders has soared to 104. He provided one of the competition's lasting memories, too, when he hit the last ball of the match against Lahore in Sharjah for six – albeit with a big slice of fortune when he somehow survived being given out twice off the first ball he faced.
Must do better: Ghulam Mudassar
The 19-year-old left-arm quick has been an ever-present in the side as the mandatory emerging player pick in the XI. But his returns have been mixed at best, with an unenviable economy rate of 9.1 runs per over so far.
2. Peshawar Zalmi
Top of the class: Hasan Ali
The most wickets yet managed by a bowler in a single PSL season were the matching hauls of 18 by Faheem Ashraf and Wahab Riaz last time out. Hasan will obliterate that record if he carries on at his current rate. He has 15 in five matches, including three four-wicket hauls, and has been the standout player in the tournament to date.
Must do better: Kamran Akmal
He started the season as the leading run-getter in the PSL’s three-year history, with a haul of 929. It is a marker of his struggles this time around that, five matches in to the new campaign, he has still yet to breach the 1,000-run barrier. “He is a very, very good player, and he will come good,” teammate Liam Dawson said.
3. Islamabad United
Top of the class: Faheem Ashraf
Even during the brief lean run the holders suffered, no-one carried the fight to the opposition more than paceman Ashraf. He has seven wickets, and the best economy rate among Islamabad’s bowlers, too.
Must do better: Mohammed Sami
Dean Jones, the coach, was quick to defend the new captain against brickbats. The fact he has been pressed to do so suggests the quick bowler could do more himself to keep the critics at bay. Taking a hat-trick, as he did in the win against Peshawar, was a good way to start.
4. Lahore Qalandars
Top of the class: Haris Rauf
Arrived with a reputation based on little more than hot air – but has proven the hype to be perfectly justified with a string of eye-catching displays. None more so than when he won the game against Karachi with four wickets and some high-quality pace bowling at the death.
Must do better: The medical department
More a case of hoping they get a little luck, rather than a criticism of their injury-prevention team, per se. Last year they lost Chris Lynn on the eve of the competition. This time around, new captain Mohammed Hafeez was showing signs of shaping the side together when he succumbed to a thumb injury. Now they are sweating on a back injury to AB de Villiers.
5. Karachi Kings
Top of the class: Colin Ingram
Even-mannered off the field and consistent on it, the South African is often viewed as a safe pair of hands by recruiters on the global T20 circuit. He has shown here that he can do a good line in spectacular, too, by notching the highest ever PSL score, 127 not out in 59 balls, to shock Quetta in Sharjah.
Must do better: Aaron Summers
Based only on his absence sheet, which is hardly his fault. The Australian rookie has yet to play. Which means we have been awaiting with eager anticipation a first glimpse of a fast bowler who could rank among the fastest anywhere.
6. Multan Sultans
Top of the class: Shoaib Malik
The PSL has not always brought out the best in Shoaib Malik’s captaincy. He was enlisted for the role at Karachi Kings in the first season, but did not even last till the end of the league phase as he resigned. Multan might be struggling now, but their leader could hardly have done much more. He has the most runs and the best average of any of their batsmen.
Must do better: Hammad Azam
The 27-year-old batsman, who has a handful of international caps for Pakistan, might be struggling to force his way back into the XI, so meagre has his form been with the bat. Just 28 runs, an average of 9.33, and a duck last time out, could me a spell on the sidelines.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The years Ramadan fell in May
How to tell if your child is being bullied at school
Sudden change in behaviour or displays higher levels of stress or anxiety
Shows signs of depression or isolation
Ability to sleep well diminishes
Academic performance begins to deteriorate
Changes in eating habits
Struggles to concentrate
Refuses to go to school
Behaviour changes and is aggressive towards siblings
Begins to use language they do not normally use
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times
If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.
A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.
The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.
In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.
The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.
Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.
Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.
“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.
The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.
“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.
“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
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Profile of MoneyFellows
Founder: Ahmed Wadi
Launched: 2016
Employees: 76
Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)
Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed PDK
Power: 630bhp
Torque: 820Nm
Price: Dh683,200
On sale: now
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
8 UAE companies helping families reduce their carbon footprint
Greenheart Organic Farms
This Dubai company was one of the country’s first organic farms, set up in 2012, and it now delivers a wide array of fruits and vegetables grown regionally or in the UAE, as well as other grocery items, to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi doorsteps.
www.greenheartuae.com
Modibodi
Founded in Australia, Modibodi is now in the UAE with waste-free, reusable underwear that eliminates the litter created by a woman’s monthly cycle, which adds up to approximately 136kgs of sanitary waste over a lifetime.
www.modibodi.ae
The Good Karma Co
From brushes made of plant fibres to eco-friendly storage solutions, this company has planet-friendly alternatives to almost everything we need, including tin foil and toothbrushes.
www.instagram.com/thegoodkarmaco
Re:told
One Dubai boutique, Re:told, is taking second-hand garments and selling them on at a fraction of the price, helping to cut back on the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of clothes thrown into landfills each year.
www.shopretold.com
Lush
Lush provides products such as shampoo and conditioner as package-free bars with reusable tins to store.
www.mena.lush.com
Bubble Bro
Offering filtered, still and sparkling water on tap, Bubble Bro is attempting to ensure we don’t produce plastic or glass waste. Founded in 2017 by Adel Abu-Aysha, the company is on track to exceeding its target of saving one million bottles by the end of the year.
www.bubble-bro.com
Coethical
This company offers refillable, eco-friendly home cleaning and hygiene products that are all biodegradable, free of chemicals and certifiably not tested on animals.
www.instagram.com/coethical
Eggs & Soldiers
This bricks-and-mortar shop and e-store, founded by a Dubai mum-of-four, is the place to go for all manner of family products – from reusable cloth diapers to organic skincare and sustainable toys.
www.eggsnsoldiers.com
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
