Zuhaib Zubair could be forgiven for feeling nervous ahead of his Gulf Giants debut against Dubai Capitals in the DP World International League in Sharjah.
Aged just 20, it was the first time the leg-spinner was getting the chance to play in front of a TV audience, let alone a substantial crowd beyond the boundary.
His teammates included stars of the world game that he has grown up watching franchise and international cricket. And David Warner was the captain of the opposition. David actual Warner.
Even from a mere local perspective, the pressure was on him. Zubair has yet to win a cap for the UAE, yet he was picked in place of Aayan Khan, the wonderkid of cricket in the Emirates.
He dispelled the nerves in spectacular fashion, though. On the seventh ball of his debut, he executed a perfect direct hit run out to dismiss Rahmanullah Gurbaz, after a mix up with Warner.
It earned him the most starry bundle he has been involved in so far in his young career, and a bear-like embrace from Shimron Hetmyer, the Guyanese Indian Premier League star.
“It was great to get that run out at that stage because I had felt nervous and under pressure before,” Zubair said.
“I am glad it worked out like that. Everybody came to hug me and cheer me on, and wished me well for my debut.
“It couldn’t have felt any better than when Hetmyer came to hug me. To have that with such a big star, I was ecstatic about that.”
Zubair has lived in the UAE since 2016, but his association with the country stretches back further than that – to before he was even born, in fact.
His father first moved to Sharjah in 2004 and established a furniture-making business. He suggested his son come to join him from their home Sialkot in Pakistan eight years ago, to continue his schooling here.
Zubair, who idolised Shahid Afridi and tried to bowl like him, went to Sharjah Cricket Academy, where his leg-spin bowling impressed. He has subsequently played age-group cricket for the UAE, and his next goal is to make the senior team.
“I want to represent the UAE senior team one day and hope I can get recognised after playing in this tournament,” he said.
He has already caught the eye of one notable figure – the Gulf Giants head coach, Andy Flower.
“We are lucky with our UAE players,” Flower said. “Zuhaib is another option as a useful leg-spin and googlie bowler, who is very enthusiastic, a good fielder and can bat a little bit.
“It is really important for your chances of success in this tournament to have good UAE players. Also, for the growth of the UAE game, for these guys to get opportunities, proper opportunities.”
The run-out wasn’t Zubair’s sole contribution to the three-wicket win over the Capitals. Zubair also took a wicket from the fifth delivery he bowled.
That was doubly joyous for him because of the identity of the player he dismissed. Rahul Chopra, the uncapped UAE batter in the Capitals middle order, has been a close mate of Zubair’s via their time together at Goltay Academy in Dubai.
“I’ve been playing with Rahul for a number of years and I know he likes to sweep,” Zubair said.
“I was trying to keep him away from playing that shot, and luckily for me, it was a good ball that he got out to.”
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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
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Sunday's games
All times UAE:
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace, 4pm
Manchester City v Arsenal, 6.15pm
Everton v Watford, 8.30pm
Chelsea v Manchester United, 8.30pm
Mobile phone packages comparison
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Company profile
Name: The Concept
Founders: Yadhushan Mahendran, Maria Sobh and Muhammad Rijal
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: 2017
Number of employees: 7
Sector: Aviation and space industry
Funding: $250,000
Future plans: Looking to raise $1 million investment to boost expansion and develop new products
THE SPECS
Range Rover Sport Autobiography Dynamic
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 518bhp
Torque: 625Nm
Speed: 0-100kmh 5.3 seconds
Price: Dh633,435
On sale: now
Queen
Nicki Minaj
(Young Money/Cash Money)
Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
