Chirag Suri said he will be returning home with a neat wedding anniversary present after helping inspire UAE to a record-breaking win over Namibia in the Cricket World Cup League 2 in Sharjah.
The 27-year-old opener and his wife Anmol will be able to toast their second anniversary on Sunday - as well as his first home century in one-day international cricket.
Suri made 103 as UAE amassed the highest score in the team’s ODI history. He shared in a partnership worth 151 with fellow opener Muhammad Waseem which was the highest first-wicket alliance for UAE in the format.
He then put on 105 for the second with Vriitya Aravind, who was named player of the match for his remarkable 76-ball innings of 115.
By the time all the carnage was over, the hosts had racked up a massive 348 for three, which was 40 runs more than their previous record in ODIs.
Namibia managed 305 for nine from their 50 overs in reply, as UAE took two more points to consolidated their place in third in the table, behind Oman and Scotland.
“It was a good way to end this series, and a good present to take back home,” Suri said.
“It was special. This is Sharjah, and I have grown up on this ground. This was my first ODI century in UAE, at home, and I think it was good that the hard work we have put in for the past five months is coming together.
“We are being more consistent now and it is important we keep putting in these performances with a busy schedule ahead. We won’t get much rest, but we are better off.
“Last year we were complaining that we didn’t get much cricket. We are not complaining now about too much cricket, but it is a case of making sure our bodies are used to it.
“We need to brush up on our fitness, because these things will matter when you play the top sides. It is a lesson for us to learn to keep on getting better.”
After two losses previously in the series against Oman, captain Ahmed Raza had warned his misfiring batters that any more mediocre performances might cost them their places.
They responded in emphatic fashion. Waseem made his first half-century in the format, as he ended with 78, while Aravind’s century was also his first in international cricket for the UAE.
“I thought [Suri] played fantastically and was very well supported by Waseem," Raza said.
“That is the Waseem we know. He is still trying to crack 50-over cricket. It is really important that we give him the clarity. If the ball is there for him to hit, he should go for it.
“It is a day he can look back on and say he belongs to one-day cricket as well. He has already proven that in international cricket in T20s. I think this game will definitely help him going forward.
“[And] it is not easy for a young kid like that [Aravind] to come in and continue with that tempo, which he did.
“Once he got his 50, everyone in the dugout believed he would go on and get a hundred. If he got a hundred we knew we would go on to post a very good total, which we did.”
When Aravind reached three figures, his first thought was to glance up to the stands, from where his mum and dad were cheering on.
“They come to watch all the time, so it feels good to get a hundred in front of them,” said Aravind, who was player of the tournament when UAE qualified for the T20 World Cup last month.
“I have been getting good starts and I knew I had to cash in become form doesn’t stay forever. It was good that we had a good platform to build on.”
The bio
His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell
His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard
Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece
Favourite movie - The Last Emperor
Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great
Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
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What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Director: Jon Watts
Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon
Rating:*****
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
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
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MATCH INFO
Liverpool v Manchester City, Sunday, 8.30pm UAE
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Monster Hunter: World
Capcom
PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
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
Score
Third Test, Day 2
New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)
Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings
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Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Result
Qualifier: Islamabad United beat Karachi Kings by eight wickets
Fixtures
Tuesday, Lahore: Eliminator 1 - Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators
Wednesday, Lahore: Eliminator 2 – Karachi Kings v Winner of Eliminator 1
Sunday, Karachi: Final – Islamabad United v Winner of Eliminator 2
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
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The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.
Personal motto:
Declan: Take chances.
Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
