ABU DHABI // The Netherlands and Hong Kong clinched the two remaining spots at the 2014 World Twenty20 yesterday to earn their place on the plane for to Bangladesh along with Ireland, Afghanistan, Nepal and the UAE.
The Dutch chased down 147 to beat Scotland after Hong Kong had secured their place with victory over Papua New Guinea earlier in the day, both at the Zayed Cricket stadium.
Wesley Barresi led the run chase for the Netherlands with a superb 75 not out and, deservedly, the winning runs came off his bat when he drove the medium pacer Safyaan Sharif to the cover boundary to seal an eight-wicket triumph.
“It was an overriding feeling of relief,” Peter Borren, the Netherlands captain, said of the result, coming 24 hours after they had lost to the UAE in their first attempt at qualifying.
“I think we should have been in the top six definitely and hadn’t we done it today we would have been very, very disappointed.”
It was a complete turnaround performance by the Dutch in chasing Scotland’s 147 for six, winning with more than two overs to spare after they had collapsed in pursuit of 117 against the UAE.
“We were really, really disappointed the way we went about the other day against the UAE,” Borren said. “The players showed real good character to bounce back and win against a strong Scotland side today.
“We played more positive cricket than in the previous game. We tried to score runs unlike the other day where we tried to survive. We showed a bit more of the talent what we have got today.”
Apart from the fifth-place match against Hong Kong today, next on agenda for the Netherlands is the 50 over-a-side ICC Qualifier in New Zealand on January.
“That’s the next big thing for us now that we have just accomplished our goals by qualifying for the T20 World Cup,” Borren said.
“But we are really proud what this group has done without some of the bigger names.”
Scotland had got off to a poor start, losing both openers, Calum Macleod and Richie Berrington, within seven deliveries with one run on the board.
Matt Machan (61) and Michael Laesk (58), came together to rebuild the Scotland inning with a superb 111-run stand for the third wicket in 14 overs.
Machan’s 53-ball knock contained seven maximums and Laesk smashed five sixes and a couple of fours for their side to put up a challenging 147 for six at the end.
The Netherlands lost opener Stephan Myburgh (0) in the very first over that brought Baresi to the crease.
The South African-born wicketkeeper-batsman, 29, shared a 67-run stand for the second wicket with Ben Cooper (40 off 28 balls) and saw them through without any further hiccups in the company of Michael Swart (30 not out).
Hong Kong became the fourth Asian team after the Afghanistan, Nepal and the UAE, to win a ticket to Bangladesh.
Babar Hayat contributed with the bat while Muni Dar and Haseeb Amjad bowled well for Hong Kong to get the better of Papua New Guinea by 29 runs.
Hong Kong were struggling at 19 for four when Hayat, who top scored with 48, rebuilt the innings with useful contributions from Dar (22) and Mark Chapman (28) for their team to post 137 for nine.
Papua New Guinea had an awful start with the opener Asad Vala (0) run out in the first over with one run on the board and the medium pacer Tanwir Afzal had the No 3 Christopher Kent (7) trapped in front at 19.
Dar (three for 26) and Haseeb Amjad (two for 18) then took five wickets between them as PNG were bundled out for 108.
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The Gentlemen
Director: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant
Three out of five stars
Sour%20Grapes
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MATCH INFO
Manchester City 2 (Mahrez 04', Ake 84')
Leicester City 5 (Vardy 37' pen, 54', 58' pen, Maddison 77', Tielemans 88' pen)
Man of the match: Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
FIGHT%20CARD
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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TYPES%20OF%20ONLINE%20GIG%20WORK
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Afro%20salons
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Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US' most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was first created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out projectiles, namely ballistic missiles, as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles both inside and outside of the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 93 miles above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then deployed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
World Cup warm-up fixtures
Friday, May 24:
- Pakistan v Afghanistan (Bristol)
- Sri Lanka v South Africa (Cardiff)
Saturday, May 25
- England v Australia (Southampton)
- India v New Zealand (The Oval, London)
Sunday, May 26
- South Africa v West Indies (Bristol)
- Pakistan v Bangladesh (Cardiff)
Monday, May 27
- Australia v Sri Lanka (Southampton)
- England v Afghanistan (The Oval, London)
Tuesday, May 28
- West Indies v New Zealand (Bristol)
- Bangladesh v India (Cardiff)
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
Honeymoonish
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THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
