Dubai// The choice of the UAE as a key venue for the Indian Premier League is a perfect fit given the cricketing aspirations of the country, veteran cricketers said on Thursday night at a panel discussion organised by the TV network OSN.
Cricket stars VVS Laxman, Waqar Younis, Adam Gilchrist, and Michael Vaughan were unanimous in their view that the UAE, which has a strong history of hosting first-class cricket tournaments and has an enthusiastic fan base, will benefit immensely in shaping a future generation of cricketers by hosting IPL and other international matches.
“The UAE has tremendous potential as a destination for cricket, especially with all the different nationalities residing here,” said Younis.
“We believe that the ICC [International Cricket Council] should look into building another stadium and bring more tournaments to the country,” added the former Pakistani bowler, widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time.
The panel discussion, hosted by British sports presenter Jim Rosenthal, provided insights on ICC’s World Twenty20 matches, in addition to allowing the sports legends to share stories.
“The multicultural diversity of the country is exactly what the IPL stands for. It is a platform that brings people from all walks to one shared pitch,” said Gilchrist, the Australian left-handed batsman and record-breaking wicket-keeper.
Laxman, former captain of the Hyderabad-based Deccan Chargers team who were one of the eight-founding members of the IPL, and Vaughan, once ranked one of the best batsman in the world, said that with ICC operating out of Dubai, the city – and country – is ideally suited to organise more cricket tournaments.
The stars will continue sharing their insights on the ongoing ICC World Twenty20, live on OSN Sports Cricket HD, until April 6.
OSN viewers will have access to the IPL, Champions League T20, Big Bash League and all India, England, Australia, Bangladesh and New Zealand home series’.
malkhan@thenational.ae
MATCH INFO
Inter Milan 2 (Vecino 65', Barella 83')
Verona 1 (Verre 19' pen)
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
Company Profile
Name: JustClean
Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries
Launch year: 2016
Number of employees: 130
Sector: online laundry service
Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding
The%20specs
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The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
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Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
