Nikhil Menon hit an unbeaten half century to steer Bright Riders School (BRS) to their first cricket silverware this week.
They emerged winners of the UAE Xchange Under 12 Abu Dhabi School League (ADSL) after a clinical eight-wicket win over Abu Dhabi Indian School (ADIS) with more than two overs to spare at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.
Opening the innings, Nikhil played the anchor role. He struck 51 not out off 42 balls and featured in two valuable partnerships in chasing down 126 for nine in 20 overs posted by ADIS.
David East, chief executive of both Emirates Cricket Board and Abu Dhabi Cricket Club, said it was a privilege for children as young as 10 and 11 to play the final at a Test venue.
“I look back when I started playing cricket at this age back home in England, and I was playing on school grounds and municipality grounds, and I couldn’t have even dreamt playing a final on a Test ground,” said the former Essex wicketkeeper-batsman.
“I was lucky later in my years I played in many Test grounds in England and throughout the world. But at 11 years of age, I would have never got this experience.”
The U12 final was the last of the four ADSL age-group competitions conducted by the Abu Dhabi Cricket Council.
“The ADSL counts eight years and the surfaces provided for these youngsters – at the Zayed Cricket Stadium and the adjoining Nursery Ovals – are international class facilities,” East said.
Nikhil, 11, who was playing his first match at the ground, said he cherished the moment and the atmosphere after playing a match-winning knock.
“I have watched international and IPL matches played at the Zayed stadium, and to get an opportunity to play at this grounds was like a dream for me,” said the BRS opener.
“I was very nervous and praying to god all the way until I reached the crease to face the first ball in the run-chase. I wanted to win it for my team and after sometime I felt confident.
“This is my first half-century in the school tournament and I will remember it forever. It was such a wonderful feeling for me to be able to play the key role in my team’s win.”
Nikhil, later named man of the match, shared a 66-run partnership with Soorya Sathish (19) for the second wicket and an unfinished 48 for the third with Krishna Pathak (36 not out).
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
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Company profile
Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
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
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
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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
Black Panther
Dir: Ryan Coogler
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o
Five stars
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yallacompare profile
Date of launch: 2014
Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer
Based: Media City, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: 120 employees
Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)
Pros%20and%20cons%20of%20BNPL
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The specs
Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre
Power: 325hp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh189,700
On sale: now
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
Biog
Age: 50
Known as the UAE’s strongest man
Favourite dish: “Everything and sea food”
Hobbies: Drawing, basketball and poetry
Favourite car: Any classic car
Favourite superhero: The Hulk original
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Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
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Kamindu Mendis bio
Full name: Pasqual Handi Kamindu Dilanka Mendis
Born: September 30, 1998
Age: 20 years and 26 days
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Major teams Sri Lanka's Under 19 team
Batting style: Left-hander
Bowling style: Right-arm off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox (that's right!)
