• New Zealand's captain Kane Williamson, right, and Martin Guptill during the T20 World Cup match against Afghanistan at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, November 7, 2021. AFP
    New Zealand's captain Kane Williamson, right, and Martin Guptill during the T20 World Cup match against Afghanistan at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, November 7, 2021. AFP
  • Kane Williamson took New Zealand to the T20 World Cup semi-finals with a composed knock on Sunday. AFP
    Kane Williamson took New Zealand to the T20 World Cup semi-finals with a composed knock on Sunday. AFP
  • Afghanistan fans at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Getty
    Afghanistan fans at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Getty
  • Mohammad Shahzad of Afghanistan takes a catch to dismiss Daryl Mitchell in Abu Dhabi. Getty
    Mohammad Shahzad of Afghanistan takes a catch to dismiss Daryl Mitchell in Abu Dhabi. Getty
  • Afghanistan's Najibullah Zadran, left, and captain Mohammad Nabi run between the wickets at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. AFP
    Afghanistan's Najibullah Zadran, left, and captain Mohammad Nabi run between the wickets at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. AFP
  • Afghanistan's Najibullah Zadran celebrates after reaching his half-century. AFP
    Afghanistan's Najibullah Zadran celebrates after reaching his half-century. AFP
  • Gulbadin Naib of Afghanistan is bowled by Ish Sodhi of New Zealand. Getty
    Gulbadin Naib of Afghanistan is bowled by Ish Sodhi of New Zealand. Getty
  • New Zealand's Adam Milne, centre, celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Afghanistan's Mohammad Shahzad. AFP
    New Zealand's Adam Milne, centre, celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Afghanistan's Mohammad Shahzad. AFP
  • Trent Boult of New Zealand celebrates the wicket of Hazratullah Zazai at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. Getty
    Trent Boult of New Zealand celebrates the wicket of Hazratullah Zazai at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. Getty
  • New Zealand's Tim Southee picked up two wickets on Sunday. AP
    New Zealand's Tim Southee picked up two wickets on Sunday. AP

New Zealand ease past Afghanistan and send India out of T20 World Cup


Paul Radley
  • English
  • Arabic

Kane Williamson said his New Zealand side are looking forward to facing England again, after booking a place in Wednesday’s semi-final in Abu Dhabi.

New Zealand beat Afghanistan by eight wickets at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Sunday, which secured their progression to the last four behind Pakistan.

The result consigned the Afghans to the exit. It also rendered the final Super 12 match, between India and Namibia in Dubai on Monday, a dead rubber.

With it now impossible for them to advance, India cancelled their Saturday evening training session. Virat Kohli will now lead for the last time in T20 internationals in the knowledge a trophy is beyond him.

For New Zealand, though, they have the reward of place against England, who were their conquerors in the final of the 50-over version of the World Cup two years ago.

“We know they are a very strong side,” Williamson said, after making 40 not out in the run chase against the Afghans.

“For us, it is important we keep learning and focus on the good things we have been doing and the kind of cricket we want to play.

“They have been playing really nicely throughout this competition. A number of teams have.

“It has been an incredibly tough competition and we have seen a lot of tight games. We are looking forward to the occasion.”

Although England started the competition in dominant fashion, they have suffered setbacks in their past two matches.

Tymal Mills was ruled out of the tournament by a thigh injury sustained against Sri Lanka, while Jason Roy had to be helped from the field with a calf injury while batting against South Africa.

Roy went for a scan at a Dubai hospital on Sunday. If he is ruled out, England will need to reshuffle their batting line up, with Jonny Bairstow likely to be promoted to open.

“When you look at the England order they have guys who can easily slot in to open,” Adam Milne, the New Zealand fast bowler, said.

“Whatever team they put out we know it will be strong, and it is going to be a challenge.”

Afghanistan came into the match knowing a win would put them level on points with New Zealand, and a superior run-rate would put them into second in the table.

Had that happened, India would have stood a chance of leapfrogging both sides with a hefty win over Namibia.

The Afghans rarely threatened to make that happen, though. They were 19-3 at the start of the sixth over, with their powerful top three of Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammed Shahzad and Rahmanullah Gurbaz all departing cheaply.

At least Najibullah Zadran gave them something to bowl at. The left-hander made 73 in 48 balls to help his side to 124-8.

Trent Boult was the pick of New Zealand’s bowlers, with 3-17, while James Neesham held a fine diving catch on the boundary and conceded just two runs from the final over of Afghanistan’s innings.

Afghanistan’s main threats with the ball, Mujeeb ur Rahman and Rashid Khan, each tasted success during New Zealand’s run chase.

Mujeeb had Daryl Mitchell caught at the wicket by Shahzad for 17, and Rashid bowled the in-form Martin Guptill for 28.

Those dismissals apart, the going was easy for New Zealand’s batters. Devon Conway, with 36 not out, and Williamson took them to the win with 11 balls to spare.

Mohammed Nabi, Afghanistan’s captain, said his side’s batters had not done enough to force the win.

“On this kind of pitch, this is not a decent total,” Nabi said.

“Still we tried our best with the ball. We played good cricket in the tournament, and we will take a lot of positives. We need to correct the mistakes we made with the bat.”

Lexus LX700h specs

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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

MATCH INFO

New Zealand 176-8 (20 ovs)

England 155 (19.5 ovs)

New Zealand win by 21 runs

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Gulf rugby

Who’s won what so far in 2018/19

Western Clubs Champions League: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens: Dubai Hurricanes
West Asia Premiership: Bahrain

What’s left

UAE Conference

March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Hurricanes II v Al Ain Amblers, Jebel Ali Dragons II v Dubai Tigers

March 29, final

UAE Premiership

March 22, play-offs: 
Dubai Exiles v Jebel Ali Dragons, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Hurricanes

March 29, final

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

Fixtures (all in UAE time)

Friday

Everton v Burnley 11pm

Saturday

Bournemouth v Tottenham Hotspur 3.30pm

West Ham United v Southampton 6pm

Wolves v Fulham 6pm

Cardiff City v Crystal Palace 8.30pm

Newcastle United v Liverpool 10.45pm

Sunday

Chelsea v Watford 5pm

Huddersfield v Manchester United 5pm

Arsenal v Brighton 7.30pm

Monday

Manchester City v Leicester City 11pm

 

How to help

Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:

2289 - Dh10

2252 - Dh50

6025 - Dh20

6027 - Dh100

6026 - Dh200

Meydan race card

6pm Dubai Trophy – Conditions(TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m 

6.35Dubai Trophy – Conditions(TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m
1,800m 

7.10pm Jumeirah Derby Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (T)
1,800m ,400m 

7.45pm Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB)  $180,000  (T) 1,800m 

8.20pm Al Fahidi Fort – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,400m 

8.55pm Dubawi Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m 

9.30pm Aliyah – Rated Conditions (TB) $80,000 (D) 2,000m  

Cultural fiesta

What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421,  Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day. 

What is a Ponzi scheme?

A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.

Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

How The Debt Panel's advice helped readers in 2019

December 11: 'My husband died, so what happens to the Dh240,000 he owes in the UAE?'

JL, a housewife from India, wrote to us about her husband, who died earlier this month. He left behind an outstanding loan of Dh240,000 and she was hoping to pay it off with an insurance policy he had taken out. She also wanted to recover some of her husband’s end-of-service liabilities to help support her and her son.

“I have no words to thank you for helping me out,” she wrote to The Debt Panel after receiving the panellists' comments. “The advice has given me an idea of the present status of the loan and how to take it up further. I will draft a letter and send it to the email ID on the bank’s website along with the death certificate. I hope and pray to find a way out of this.”

November 26:  ‘I owe Dh100,000 because my employer has not paid me for a year’

SL, a financial services employee from India, left the UAE in June after quitting his job because his employer had not paid him since November 2018. He owes Dh103,800 on four debts and was told by the panellists he may be able to use the insolvency law to solve his issue. 

SL thanked the panellists for their efforts. "Indeed, I have some clarity on the consequence of the case and the next steps to take regarding my situation," he says. "Hopefully, I will be able to provide a positive testimony soon."

October 15: 'I lost my job and left the UAE owing Dh71,000. Can I return?'

MS, an energy sector employee from South Africa, left the UAE in August after losing his Dh12,000 job. He was struggling to meet the repayments while securing a new position in the UAE and feared he would be detained if he returned. He has now secured a new job and will return to the Emirates this month.

“The insolvency law is indeed a relief to hear,” he says. "I will not apply for insolvency at this stage. I have been able to pay something towards my loan and credit card. As it stands, I only have a one-month deficit, which I will be able to recover by the end of December." 

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

Evacuations to France hit by controversy
  • Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
  • Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
  • The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
  • Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
  • It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
  • Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
  • Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
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   

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

Jawan
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Updated: November 07, 2021, 3:52 PM