Dynamics of the group
Matters appear straightforward: the hosts and South Africa should go through.
Sri Lanka look good for greater glory given home conditions and a balanced squad; power and skill in batting, variety in bowling and quality all-rounders.
South Africa will hope to break from the script at global tournaments, where as heavyweights they slip through the groups without bother before getting knocked out. They look good again but that means nothing.
Zimbabwe's Twenty20 story began promisingly in 2007, with a five-wicket win over Australia but since then there has been nothing. For them to progress would be a shock and for a side that has lost their last 12 T20s, that's not likely.
Players to watch
Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)
A surprising nomination at first glance? Mahela Jayawardene after all is in the traditional mould of subcontinent Test batsmen. But as captaincy has revealed, he is an astute and inventive thinker.
Jayawardene's genius has been to keep his basic game; instead he has only heightened its sense of elegant attack. His cover drives are still beautiful, as are the late dabbed cuts. He has added greater variety to the sweep, including a deft paddle and several reverse options.
His threat was clearest at the 2010 World T20 where he was the highest run scorer.
AB de Villiers (South Africa)
AB de Villiers is the most gifted South African of his generation, an all-round sportsman proficient at rugby, tennis and golf. But he was born to bat, a technically sound foundation dabbed with the modern day spirit of attack and improvise.
He is particularly accomplished against spin, but there are few shots he has not mastered. His numbers do not look impressive but his presence as the most innovative in what can be a one-paced batting order is essential.
Invariably when South Africa need to step on it, de Villiers, now captain, is the man.
Brendan Taylor (Zimbabwe)
At 26, Brendan Taylor has burdened veteran's shoulders; he is the captain, wicketkeeper and the best batsman. Even if Zimbabwe do not progress he will be worth watching.
He first came to global notice in this very format, an impish, unbeaten 60 helping Zimbabwe beat Australia in Cape Town in 2007 off the game's last ball. But he was most impressive at the 2011 World Cup - also in Sri Lanka - where the ramped uppercut for six became one of the sights of the tournament.
Photographers will not mind his cover drive either.
Match to watch
Sri Lanka v South Africa, September 22, Hambantota
Both sides will probably have qualified by this stage and because seedings have been pre-decided, it will not really matter who finishes top.
But without much at stake, it will be the first chance to properly assess two sides heavily fancied for the tournament title. South Africa have traditionally been the best equipped out of all the non-subcontinent sides to handle spin and the conditions found in this region but against an attack of Sri Lanka's maddening variety, even they will be fully tested.
In any case, given the talent on show it should be a cracker.
Venue
The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium - to give it the full name - in Hambantota is an amazing sight and story. It has a lifeless, futuristic sleekness, named after the country's president who is from the district, but is right in the middle of a deeply rural and sparse district in the country's south.
Construction began in May 2009 and by February 2011, it was hosting the opening game of that year's 50-over World Cup. The cost? It nearly bankrupted the cricket board. It holds 35,000 (as it did in that first game) but so unpopulated can the district feel, you wonder where they all came from.
Talking points
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka are regular visitors to the later stages of world tournaments; including 2007, they have been in the final of three (and semi-finalists at the last World T20). They have nothing to show for it, however, and if they do so again the word "choke" might begin to be bandied about.
"Getting ourselves into the semi-finals and final means that we are doing most of the things right, but perhaps we need to push a little bit more in a big game, like a final, to win it," said Jayawardene. They are, as ever, well-placed to do it.
South Africa
Jacques Kallis is walking proof of what the Twenty20 format can add to an already legendary batsman's game - and that age (he will be 37 a week after the tournament ends) need not be a hindrance.
Kallis has not been a regular feature of South Africa's Twenty20 side since the middle of 2010, but a stellar season for the Kolkata Knight Riders this year in the IPL has brought him back into the mix.
Since his involvement in the format, he has become a more expressive and aggressive batsman across all formats. His bowling has benefited too, so that he adds considerable depth to an already strong side.
Zimbabwe
Whatever happens to Zimbabwe in this tournament, they are on an upwards curve in their rehabilitation back to the game. They have begun to play Test cricket again, have a decent stock of young players and even won a T20 tournament (not international) with strong teams from Bangladesh and South Africa.
"Those guys are firing. They've got some explosive match winning players and good variety in their bowling attack," said Gary Kirsten, the South Africa coach. "They played a fearless type of cricket because of the settled nature of their team."
Whatever happens here will not burst the cautious optimism around their continuing return.
osamiuddin@thenational.ae
SPEC%20SHEET
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE SPECS
Engine: 4.4-litre V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 523hp
Torque: 750Nm
Price: Dh469,000
ULTRA PROCESSED FOODS
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- Margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars
- Energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- Infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes
- Many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts
More on Quran memorisation:
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The biog
Simon Nadim has completed 7,000 dives.
The hardest dive in the UAE is the German U-boat 110m down off the Fujairah coast.
As a child, he loved the documentaries of Jacques Cousteau
He also led a team that discovered the long-lost portion of the Ines oil tanker.
If you are interested in diving, he runs the XR Hub Dive Centre in Fujairah
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Tottenham 4 (Alli 51', Kane 50', 77'. Aurier 73')
Olympiakos 2 (El-Arabi 06', Semedo')
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
Match info
Karnataka Tuskers 110-3
J Charles 35, M Pretorius 1-19, Z Khan 0-16
Deccan Gladiators 111-5 in 8.3 overs
K Pollard 45*, S Zadran 2-18
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
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
Company%20profile
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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.
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
Frida%20
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Results
Light Flyweight (49kg): Mirzakhmedov Nodirjon (UZB) beat Daniyal Sabit (KAZ) by points 5-0.
Flyweight (52kg): Zoirov Shakhobidin (UZB) beat Amit Panghol (IND) 3-2.
Bantamweight (56kg): Kharkhuu Enkh-Amar (MGL) beat Mirazizbek Mirzahalilov (UZB) 3-2.
Lightweight (60kg): Erdenebat Tsendbaatar (MGL) beat Daniyal Shahbakhsh (IRI) 5-0.
Light Welterweight (64kg): Baatarsukh Chinzorig (MGL) beat Shiva Thapa (IND) 3-2.
Welterweight (69kg): Bobo-Usmon Baturov (UZB) beat Ablaikhan Zhussupov (KAZ) RSC round-1.
Middleweight (75kg): Jafarov Saidjamshid (UZB) beat Abilkhan Amankul (KAZ) 4-1.
Light Heavyweight (81kg): Ruzmetov Dilshodbek (UZB) beat Meysam Gheshlaghi (IRI) 3-2.
Heavyweight (91kg): Sanjeet (IND) beat Vassiliy Levit (KAZ) 4-1.
Super Heavyweight ( 91kg): Jalolov Bakhodir (UZB) beat Kamshibek Kunkabayev (KAZ) 5-0.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Usain Bolt's World Championships record
2007 Osaka
200m Silver
4x100m relay Silver
2009 Berlin
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2011 Daegu
100m Disqualified in final for false start
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2013 Moscow
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2015 Beijing
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
MEYDAN CARD
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group One (PA) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m
8.50pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group Two (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm Dubai Trophy Conditions (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m
10.35pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
The National selections:
6.30pm AF Alwajel
7.05pm Ekhtiyaar
7.40pm First View
8.15pm Benbatl
8.50pm Zakouski
9.25pm: Kimbear
10pm: Chasing Dreams
10.35pm: Good Fortune
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Dubai World Cup Carnival card
6.30pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) US$100,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (Turf) 1,000m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m
8.15pm: Meydan Challenge Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m
8.50pm: Dubai Stakes Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
9.25pm: Dubai Racing Club Classic Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m
The National selections
6.30pm: Final Song
7.05pm: Pocket Dynamo
7.40pm: Dubai Icon
8.15pm: Dubai Legacy
8.50pm: Drafted
9.25pm: Lucius Tiberius
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Company%20profile
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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
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Price, base / as tested Dh150,900 / Dh173,600
Engine 2.0L inline four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 211hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 1,200rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.4L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
Napoleon
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Brief scores
Barcelona 2
Pique 36', Alena 87'
Villarreal 0
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
The specs: 2018 Renault Megane
Price, base / as tested Dh52,900 / Dh59,200
Engine 1.6L in-line four-cylinder
Transmission Continuously variable transmission
Power 115hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 156Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.6L / 100km
