UAE’s leading cricketers could be forgiven for watching on with envy as their neighbours in Oman started their home World Cup in rampant fashion on Sunday.
Even more so given the way Aqib Ilyas took to the world stage so adeptly, in making a cool half-century in the 10-wicket win over Papua New Guinea. His former colleagues in the UAE might have felt as though he was living their life for them.
The 29-year-old all-rounder studied civil engineering in Dubai from 2010. In the four years he lived in UAE, he excelled in domestic cricket to the extent he was invited to train with the national team.
He was flattered, but his heart remained in Oman, where he had lived since he was six months old.
“There was a thought in my mind that I should [stay and play as a pro in UAE], but at that time I wasn’t that into cricket,” Ilyas said.
“I just used to go and play in open tournaments. When I came back to Oman, I didn’t play for one year.
“My brother [former Oman player Adnan] said, ‘You should play, you have the potential to do very well’.
“That boosted me, and made me want to represent the Oman team. My family is in Oman. That is why I wanted to play for them and not UAE.”
The lure of home must have been strong, as there was a vast disparity in opportunities for cricketers in UAE and Oman at the time.
UAE domestic cricketers routinely get to play at the three venues which are hosting the T20 World Cup.
By contrast, when Ilyas left for his studies, there was not one grass oval in Oman yet. He has never questioned his decision, though, and is reaping the rewards now.
“My parents sent me to Dubai, saying it would be good for studies, and told me how I should learn to live on my own and that it would be good for my future,” Ilyas said.
“For my cricket, it was a very positive experience. Many international players were there, the likes of [Pakistan international] Yasir Shah, Asad Shafiq.
“I brought that positivity with me back to Oman. By the time I got back to Oman there were two turf grounds here, and the standard of club cricket was very strong.
“Facing players like Bilal Khan and Kaleemullah every day means you improve over time, plus we have good coaches who improve our technique.”
“His brother Adnan was the most talented player Oman has ever had in the national team,” said Pankaj Khimji, the chairman of Oman Cricket.
“He played some scintillating knocks, all over the world. Aqib is even more talented, and even more technically sound.
“He is a little laid back — David Gower-esque — but is a beautiful timer of the ball. He has an excellent temperament when he gets going.”
Ilyas is producing the results to go with the talent, too. He averages 62 in 15 one-day internationals so far and, last year in Kathmandu, he scored centuries in successive ODIs.
Now he wants to make a name for himself on the biggest platform he has yet been given.
Oman face Bangladesh on Wednesday night in Al Amerat, and a win would go a long way to securing their advance to the next phase of competition — meaning a potential trip back to UAE for Ilyas.
“I want to do really well at the World Cup,” he said. “The whole world is watching you, and your talent is exposed.”
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US Industrial Market figures, Q1 2017
Vacancy Rate 5.4%
Markets With Positive Absorption 85.7 per cent
New Supply 55 million sq ft
New Supply to Inventory 0.4 per cent
Under Construction 198.2 million sq ft
(Source: Colliers)
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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3.
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UAE
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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RESULTS
6.30pm: Handicap (rated 95-108) US$125,000 2000m (Dirt).
Winner: Don’t Give Up, Gerald Mosse (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap (95 ) $160,000 2810m (Turf).
Winner: Los Barbados, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
7.40pm: Handicap (80-89) $60,000 1600m (D).
Winner: Claim The Roses, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.15pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (Div-1) Conditions $100,000 1,400m (D)
Winner: Gold Town, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
8.50pm: Cape Verdi Group 2 $200,000 1600m (T).
Winner: Promising Run, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
9.25pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Conditions $100,000 1,400m (D).
Winner: El Chapo, Luke Morris, Fawzi Nass.
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If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.