They did it with an over to spare. They had five wickets in hand. They even scored more boundaries. This time, there could be no quibbling over fine margins. New Zealand were emphatic winners.
In the lead up to the game, New Zealand were at pains to say they do not discuss 2019, Lord’s, and all that. If it does ever crop up in conversation, Kane Williamson, their captain, reckons they talk about it fondly.
Still, though. Their stunning win over England at Zayed Cricket Stadium in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup must have tasted all the sweeter given what happened two years previously.
Maybe it was not exactly an exorcism. But at least they can move on to Sunday’s final with a warm glow of satisfaction over beating England in a big match.
Take Jimmy Neesham. In the aftermath of the 2019 World Cup final, he implored people to take up baking instead of ever putting themselves through the unbearable anguish of sport, and losing a World Cup final in a Super Over.
Like everyone else, he might have had a crack at a banana bread or two in the ensuing time. But he, as much as any of New Zealand’s heroes in Abu Dhabi, proved the adage about cricket being the great leveler.
In chasing England’s target of 167, the Black Caps had required 109 from 10 overs. When Neesham made it to the wicket, at No 6, they needed 60 off 29 balls.
He hit three of the 11 balls he faced over the vast boundaries for six, and made 27 in his stay. It was seminal.
Daryl Mitchell, who had anchored the innings till that point, took up the responsibility for six hitting once Neesham had departed.
He ended unbeaten on 72, hitting a flurry of sixes, then the winning four off Chris Woakes. In the end, it felt like a cruise.
Given the difficulties of travel to and from New Zealand at present, few supporters have travelled to the UAE for this tournament.
There was a fair number of expatriate Kiwis in the stands backing their side, and they were complemented by a sizeable contingent of neutrals, too.
A Sri Lankan papare band played from before the first ball was bowled till after the last.
There were Indian fans in their seats before the start. They had clearly overestimated their side’s prospects.
There were some Pakistanis in situ, too. They had underestimated theirs: Pakistan will play Australia in Thursday night’s semi-final in Dubai after they topped their group, ahead of New Zealand.
England’s fine form in the Super 12 stage has lost its sheen via the injuries they had racked up ahead of the knockout phase.
Both unavailable players – Tymal Mills and Jason Roy – were present at the game. Rather than moping around feeling sorry they could not be part of it, they did a decent job as a cheer squad.
When Woakes induced a leading edge from Martin Guptill to Moeen Ali in the first innings of New Zealand’s reply, Roy was just about the most animated member of the England party. He bellowed, “Yes, Wiz,” in praise of “Wizard” Woakes.
The intense look on his face spoke of the fact the game was delicately poised. England had had to work hard for their runs - Moeen Ali top-scoring with 51, Dawid Malan making 41, and Liam Livingstone spritely 17 - and they knew defending would not be easy.
Their task, though, received a sizeable boost in the next over Woakes sent down. After three dots, Williamson, New Zealand’s talisman, gave way to the pressure and attempted a scoop over short fine leg.
It was neither becoming nor successful. It went as far as Adil Rashid, and, as Woakes completed a wicket-maiden, New Zealand were 13-2 after three overs.
At that point, it felt as though England had the game in their grasp. Devon Conway, though, started the fightback, with 46.
He laid the platform, but New Zealand had still appeared out of it until Neesham sent the innings into overdrive. And, after his cameo, Mitchell booked their tickets to Dubai.
Results:
Men's wheelchair 800m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 1.44.79; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 1.45.88; 3. Isaac Towers (GBR) 1.46.46.
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
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin
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
Jawan
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
