Ahead of the start of the inaugural Desert Twenty20 in the UAE on Saturday, Paul Radley provides all the basic information you need on the tournament, including the groups, form guide, and fixture list.
Groups
Pool A: Afghanistan, UAE, Ireland, Namibia
Pool B: Netherlands, Scotland, Hong Kong, Oman
Form
Afghanistan are the highest ranked side. Placed ninth in the world T20 rankings, they are higher than two Test sides — Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
Namibia are the only unranked side in the competition, while Ireland — surprisingly, given their dominance of Associate cricket for much of the past decade — are the lowest ranked of the remaining teams. They are 17th in the ICC standings for T20 cricket.
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Read more
■ Desert T20: A competitive platform for Associate nations
■ Desert T20: Five players set to shine in the UAE
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Fixtures
Admission to all matches is free
Saturday, January 14
Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
2pm, Scotland v Hong Kong
7pm, Afghanistan v Ireland
Sunday, January 15
Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
2pm, Netherlands v Oman
7pm UAE v Namibia
Monday, January 16
Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
2pm, Oman v Hong Kong
7pm, Afghanistan v UAE
Tuesday, January 17
Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
2pm, Ireland v Namibia
7pm, Netherlands v Scotland
Wednesday, January 18
Dubai International Stadium
2pm, UAE v Ireland
7pm, Netherlands v Hong Kong
Thursday, January 19
Dubai International Stadium
2pm, Afghanistan v Namibia
7pm, Scotland v Oman
Friday, January 20
Dubai International Stadium
10.30am, first semi-final
2.30pm, second semi-final
7.30pm, final
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Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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Results:
Men's wheelchair 800m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 1.44.79; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 1.45.88; 3. Isaac Towers (GBR) 1.46.46.
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Healthy tips to remember
Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:
Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast
Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits
Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day
Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet
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Transmission: 9-speed auto
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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
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SPECS
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