Short, sweet and to the point. Not exactly the words which most readily spring to mind when considering the virtues of one-day international cricket tournaments - especially the ones staged in Asia. The new, slimline Asia Cup starts today in Dambulla, when Sri Lanka meet Pakistan. The competition between the continent's top-four sides will be all wrapped up in a little over a week.
The group stages of the football World Cup will still be being played by the time it finishes. This is 50-over cricket, but not as we know it. The last time the Asia Cup was played, in Lahore and Karachi in Pakistan in 2008, it was a bloated competition memorable for little other than the fact there were more armed policemen than spectators at most matches. The matches were dire, and all one-sided. As one official from that tournament put it during a moment of down time: "This is the best advertisement for Twenty20 cricket there is."
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) have evidently realised that the 20-over format is now the leading mode. They have slashed the length of their 50-over showpiece to seven matches, thereby cutting down the prospects of dead fixtures. By the time it next comes around, it may be in a different guise altogether, due to T20's growing appeal. Some things have been lost during the cull, however. The UAE played at the last two Asia Cup tournaments, meaning the computer programmers, store keepers and students who make up the national team got a chance to bask in the same limelight as the sport's top players.
The scenes were joyous at the Selangor Turf Club in Kuala Lumpur in 2008 when the UAE qualified for a third trip to the competition - or so they thought - by reaching the ACC Trophy final. The two non-Test nations - Hong Kong and the UAE - are not the only noteworthy absentees this week. Sri Lanka are bidding to defend their title without two of their most recognisable stars. Two years ago, Ajantha Mendis, a little-known spin-bowler who had been playing B Division cricket in Colombo for the Sri Lankan Army, announced himself as the new star of world cricket.
The mystery-spinner unleashed his box of tricks, including his newly unveiled "carrom-ball", and blazed a trail through the competition. His crowning glory arrived in the final, when his astonishing haul of six for 13 brought at abrupt end to India's title hopes. That, too, on a pitch that MS Dhoni, the India captain, had deemed the flattest track in world cricket. He is not the only one who will be conspicuous by his absence. Sanath Jayasuriya, the veteran Sri Lanka all-rounder, has finally lost the faith of the selectors.
@Email:pradley@thenational.ae
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.5-litre%204-cylinder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECVT%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E119bhp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E145Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDh%2C89%2C900%20(%2424%2C230)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 2 (Mahrez 04', Ake 84')
Leicester City 5 (Vardy 37' pen, 54', 58' pen, Maddison 77', Tielemans 88' pen)
Man of the match: Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
Origin
Dan Brown
Doubleday
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
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.
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
