Nepal have been excellent in the World Twenty20 Qualifier so far. Sarah Dea / The National
Nepal have been excellent in the World Twenty20 Qualifier so far. Sarah Dea / The National
Nepal have been excellent in the World Twenty20 Qualifier so far. Sarah Dea / The National
Nepal have been excellent in the World Twenty20 Qualifier so far. Sarah Dea / The National

Binod Bhandari’s Nepal up there with the best in World Twenty20 Qualifier


Paul Radley
  • English
  • Arabic

SHARJAH // The ICC is not giving away a prize for shot of the tournament at this qualifier.

If they did, though, Binod Bhandari would already have the trophy packed away, ready for the flight back to Kathmandu.

If there is a better shot played anywhere than the “Dilscoop” the Nepal batsman hit for six in the final stage of the run-chase against Papua New Guinea on Tuesday, it deserves to get at least a million hits on YouTube.

He set aside personal safety to ramp a delivery by Willie Gavera, the PNG quick bowler, just over his own forehead, on its way for a six 30 yards over the boundary behind the wicketkeeper.

A large swathe of those lucky few who were there at Sharjah Cricket Stadium to see it were happy to confess it was probably the best shot they had ever seen.

Perhaps more importantly, it was just another step on the path to a third win in four group matches so far for Nepal.

“He is one of our most talented T20 batsmen,” Paras Khadka, Nepal’s captain, said of Bhandari, whose innings of 51 included six sixes and set up a seven-wicket win.

“As a team, we have been given the freedom to express ourselves as we want, with the bat, and as a fielding or bowling unit.”

Pubudu Dassanayake, the Nepal coach, said his side are starting to make good on their rich talent after years of steady progress.

“This shows the potential we have, it is just that we have never been tested at this level before,” Dassanayake said.

“I am happy with the confidence levels and especially the maturity of the captain [Khadka] and the way he handled to situation.

“We have big hitters, guys who can change the game, they just need to get used to this level of cricket.”

Nepal’s success over PNG was crucial to their qualification hopes – but the fixture itself was a triumph for the sport at this level of the game.

Either of these teams would be welcome guests at T20 cricket’s big show in Bangladesh next year, given the brand of the game they play.

PNG themselves proved adept at self-expression with the bat, and not solely Geraint Jones, the former England player who made a fine 55 here.

“[Bhandari’s six] was one of the best shots I’ve seen,” said Tim Anderson, the ICC’s global development manager.

“It was a brave shot and there was terrific cricket played here today. Papua New Guinea, I think it’s worth saying, are a really good cricket team who I think will be in the mix at the end of the tournament as well.”

Other results on Tuesday

Italy 121-6

Raso 35 (no); Smit 2-23

Namibia 122-7

Williams 57; Sandri

Namibia won by 3 wickets

Canada 137-7

Hansra 58 (no); Arinaitwe 2-25

Uganda 93

Arinaitwe 28; Gordon 2-9

Canada won by 44 runs

Kenya 183-7

Aga 52 (no); Haq 2-21

Scotland 91

Murphy 20; Tikolo 4-2

Kenya won by 92 runs

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Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme

Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.

Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

UAE%20SQUAD
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Zimbabwe v UAE, ODI series

All matches at the Harare Sports Club:

1st ODI, Wednesday, April 10

2nd ODI, Friday, April 12

3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14

4th ODI, Tuesday, April 16

UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed

Dubai Rugby Sevens

November 30-December 2, at The Sevens, Dubai

Gulf Under 19

Pool A – Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jumeirah College Tigers, Dubai English Speaking School 1, Gems World Academy

Pool B – British School Al Khubairat, Bahrain Colts, Jumeirah College Lions, Dubai English Speaking School 2

Pool C - Dubai College A, Dubai Sharks, Jumeirah English Speaking School, Al Yasmina

Pool D – Dubai Exiles, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Ain Amblers, Deira International School

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

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57%20Seconds
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Traits of Chinese zodiac animals

Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent