Saqib Ali will become the first UAE cricketer to feature in the Bangladesh Premier League when he turns out for Mohammedan in the 50-over-a-side tournament.
The Pakistan-born batsman, 35, will join players from Test playing nations to compete against local players in the ongoing tournament as soon as his travel visa is approved.
“The contract is for three matches played over two weeks and then they will review an extension depending on my performances,” Saqib said. “It is a great opportunity though, for me play at this level. This experience will certainly help me for the important competitions that are coming up for the UAE. ”
According to Saqib, he was contacted by Mohammedans on a recommendation from the Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, who plays for the same club.
“Nabi casually asked me if I would be interested in playing and I readily agreed. I received a call and the deal was completed,” he said.
“I am not aware of the set-up but looking forward to the games that I may get to play. This is a big step forward for me and I want to grab the opportunity with a good performance.”
Saqib’s career was almost cut short with a serious injury that required surgery on his lower back for a bulging disc.
He underwent the operation in Pakistan and returned to action after more than seven months out when he played for his employer New Medical Centre for the Ramadan Cup in July.
Saqib was left out of the UAE’s tour to Canada in July and August but was back on the team for the Asian Cricket Council Emerging Teams Cup in Singapore in the same month. He scored 71 against Sri Lanka Under 23.
He was a member of the UAE team that did a clean sweep over Namibia in the four-day Intercontinental Cup and the two 50-over-side games in the World Cricket League Championship at Sharjah Stadium last week.
“These games will really count when I play in Bangladesh,” he said. “I have been working very hard to regain full fitness since I returned from surgery. I feel better but it is a continuous process to gain full fitness.”
Injuries have not discouraged Saqib from either playing or giving everything he has for the team.
“I love challenges. I want to play as long as possible and for that reason I will do everything within my capacity to remain fit and competitive,” he said.
“The opportunity to play in Bangladesh is another challenge. I want to do well for myself and portray the high level of cricket we play in the UAE.”
apassela@thenational.ae
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
Vikram%20Vedha
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Mobile phone packages comparison
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
The Kingfisher Secret
Anonymous, Penguin Books
