Lahore Qalanders 166 for six off 20 overs
Rizwan 50 not out; Sami 2-21)
Islamabad United 169 for six off 15.5 overs
(Watson 79, Sharjeel 79 not out; Adil 2-41
Islamabad United won by 8 wickets
Story of the match
SHARJAH // Given Pakistan’s squad for the Asia Cup and World Twenty20 had been announced earlier in the day, any late bids for selection were entirely futile on Wednesday evening.
That did not stop a variety of worthy causes dispatching the ball to all parts of Sharjah in a vain attempt to be noticed, though.
Sharjeel Khan and Mohammed Rizwan, for example, could not have pressed their cause any more vividly had they pogoed on a length, shouting “Pick me, pick me!”
Which was great, as it meant a substantial crowd at the UAE's oldest ground enjoyed a Twenty20 treat as the Pakistan Super League arrived in town. Throw in some customary Shane Watson fireworks, and a good time was had by all.
More PSL
Read more: Osman Samiuddin on how the Pakistan Super League is so far T20 with the feel of real cricket
Read more: Osman Samiuddin on Pakistan cricket's rebirth with the green shoots from the Pakistan Super League
Sharjeel’s effort, opening the innings for Islamabad United, was the most decisive contribution by a Pakistani in the ninth match of the PSL.
His innings of 79 not out, which paved the way for a facile win over Lahore Qalanders, included an over worth 20 off the Pakistan Test seamer Ehsan Adil, and a few lost balls besides.
It just went to show, Ahmed Shehzad is not the only opener who might be feeling hard done by missing out on the forthcoming tours of Bangladesh and India.
Rizwan, for his part, made his own peace with a stadium with which he had had an uneasy relationship with until now.
The first time they really made each other’s acquaintance, the feisty Pakistan batsman caused a controversy, even though he was not even playing at the time.
As 12th man and drinks-carrier in a Test in November, he provoked ire from England’s players for mocking them after a dismissal was overturned in Pakistan’s favour.
Then, when given a chance to prove he is less mouth, more substance in a limited-overs international that followed, he botched again, as he fell to a comical run out. This time, though, he made a fine half-century.
Although it hoisted his side to something that seemed defendable at the time, in reality it was a long way short.
Key moment
Shane Watson is a master of this format, the first name on the wanted list for any new franchise intent on success.
He really does not need any extra help from the opposition. He was granted a big helping hand, though, when Cameron Delport failed to lay one on a steepling catch from him in the third over of Islamabad’s reply.
The Australian opener, who was standing in as captain for the injured Misbah-ul-Haq, topped edged Kevon Cooper. It went a long way up, but barely to the edge of the 30-yard circle. It squirmed through Delport’s grasp, and United were off and running.
Man of the match
Shane Watson Outstanding performances by Pakistanis abounded, but it was the Australian who stole the show. The cleanliness of his striking is remarkable to witness up close.
No wonder the opposition fielders panicked so much whenever he was on strike. Maybe the outcome might have been different were they able to catch.
The National’s verdict
Sharjah was clearly ready for the PSL to arrive. The stands at the football stadium end of the ground were packed, and the enthusiasm they engendered brought to mind the glory days of Sharjah Cup cricket. Impressive stuff, bearing in mind it was a work night.
It was hard to tell who the majority were supporting. Most just seemed happy to be there witnessing some high-quality T20 cricket. Those who were in favour of the franchise from the Pakistan capital, though, were able to laugh the loudest.
pradley@thenational.ae
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RESULT
Bayern Munich 5 Eintrracht Frankfurt 2
Bayern: Goretzka (17'), Müller (41'), Lewandowski (46'), Davies (61'), Hinteregger (74' og)
Frankfurt: Hinteregger (52', 55')
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Surianah's top five jazz artists
Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.
Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.
Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.
Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.
Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
