The UAE will start their mission improbable at the World Twenty20 with their spirits revived after a solid win over Nepal in their final warm-up game in Fatullah.
Despite their strong form over the past two years, the national team have had an indifferent lead-in to their biggest competition in 18 years.
They were beaten by the Netherlands, who they meet first in this competition on Monday, and Nepal in practice matches in Sharjah last week.
After pushing Bangladesh close on Wednesday, they avenged last week's hefty loss to Nepal by easing past the Himalayan nation with six wickets and seven balls to spare.
Asadullah Sharif, the fast bowler from Ajman, was the most successful of the UAE’s bowlers taking three for 15 from his four overs.
His effort was the cornerstone of another uplifting display by the national team’s little-heralded pace attack.
Kamran Shazad, the fastest bowler in the side, took two for 19 while Manjula Guruge returned a thrifty one for seven off his three overs as Nepal succumbed to 95 all out.
“Nepal always give us a tough time so it was good to get this win,” said Aaqib Javed, the UAE coach, whose side travel to Sylhet today ahead of their preliminary round group matches.
Aaqib said the tough warm-up matches the UAE have encountered before their World T20 debut have been perfect preparation.
“I think we have had a good start, because we had a really tight game against Bangladesh,” he said of the four-wicket defeat to the host nation.
“Then to win against Nepal, the boys are feeling confident and excited. It is a first ever World Cup for them and they are looking forward to the first game against the Netherlands.”
Paras Khadka, the captain who hit a ball from the centre wicket onto the grandstand roof when Nepal were practising in Sharjah last week, top scored with 27.
The Nepal capitulation meant the UAE barely broke sweat in chasing victory, with Swapnil Patil making 33 and Shaiman Anwar an unbeaten 30.
Pubudu Dassanayake, the Nepal coach, said finishing top among the non-Test sides in their four-team preliminary pool would constitute success for Nepal at the World T20.
“We want to be at least in the top of the associate sides, so we are looking forward to our two games against Afghanistan and Hong Kong,” Dassanayake said.
“Even against Bangladesh, we believe that a T20 game is anybody’s game. We have the capacity, we have a lot of passion in the team, they have put a lot of hard work in.
“We just want to play as hard as we can and win as many games as we can. We are up for it. Our fans would go crazy if we did.”
pradley@thenational.ae
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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."
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
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Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
