It was understandable the emotions were racing. He had just helmed his side to a first World Cup win for more than a quarter of a century. Yet they would still be on the next plane home.
He had come into some runs himself, but it was too late. The party was over, and it felt as though they had only just arrived.
Amid it all, CP Rizwan was doing his best to convey his feelings. So he settled on a version of his favourite verse from the Quran: after every hardship comes ease.
Rizwan had just joined an exclusive club. Only Sultan Zarawani, the Emirati businessman who was the driving force behind taking UAE to their first World Cup in 1996, had previously overseen a win for the country at a global event.
Clearly, wins like this are precious. They deserve to be celebrated. And yet it felt like the minimum for what the side should have achieved in Australia.
The national team were a well-oiled machine in qualifying for this tournament. They dispatched Ireland in the final of the Qualifier in Muscat back in February, the last of five wins in a row against the Irish, who are a full-Test nation and regular attendees of World Cups.
In the short format, they were purring. Eight wins out of 10, achieved with a settled squad and a canny captain.
Then, just before the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup – back-to-back competitions in September then October – a leadership change was foist on them.
The decision to bin Ahmed Raza as captain was harsh on two very good men. Obviously, on the previous incumbent, but his successor, too.
Rizwan might be a good captain. He might not be. Eight games is nothing like a fair sample size to judge him on. And it is in no way enough time to impress his philosophy on his side.
So far, his side have managed two wins, against Singapore and Namibia, while defeats have come against Kuwait and Hong Kong, as well as the game’s elite.
The man he was replacing was the most successful captain in UAE cricket history, with a win percentage of 66. But Raza failed as a captain first, to the extent he had the armband taken away from him in 2015.
When he returned, he acknowledged he – and the side he was leading – had not been ready. He heeded the lessons and did a masterful job second time around, in a time of great challenges.
To carry the side from a corruption crisis all the way to qualifying for a World Cup – with a global pandemic thrown in as an extra challenge in the meantime – was extraordinary.
Initially, his removal from the captaincy was explained as “succession planning”. Succeeded, as Raza was, by a player four months his senior.
Then, on the eve of the pivotal game of the World Cup, coach Robin Singh had to clarify the actual reasoning. He said it was not the forum for that discussion. He was right – the issue should have been addressed publicly eight weeks earlier, but it wasn’t.
He said it was based on the fact the captain needs to be sure of his place in the XI. There is justification for that. Raza himself had said many times that there was a coming wave of players pushing for his place.
In a 50-50 selection call, Raza’s leadership skills and tactical nous would always win him the vote. But the rapid progress of the likes of Karthik Meiyappan, Aryan Lakra, and the schoolboy prodigy Aayan Khan could not be held at bay any longer.
The fact Raza appreciates that was evident in the eloquence with which he spoke about Meiyappan and Aayan in an ICC video after the former’s hat-trick against Sri Lanka. It was a classy touch, given they had prevented him having any game time until that point. He would have been forgiven for feeling bitter.
But the theory for the change falls down when considering Rizwan had been out of the T20 squad entirely before he was made captain.
Restored to the side, he struggled to find exactly the right niche for himself in a batting line up which had hitherto been overly reliant on its top three.
Then, finally, after the sort of toil which would have tested the resolve of the very strongest of characters, he made his mark. He was a good foil for both Muhammad Waseem and Basil Hameed in vital stands against Namibia – yet still struck at 148 himself as he made 43 not out.
It meant the UAE posted the sort of total they had wanted all the way through the competition, yet struggled to deliver.
“I always believe that after every struggle there is ease,” Rizwan said.
“I was not batting in the position I really wanted, but I can’t complain. I am really happy to play a good innings for the team when it was really needed.”
With something to bowl at, he was able to express himself as a tactician, too. With Kashif Daud out of the side, he needed to find someone to bowl against the mighty David Wiese in the death overs. He called up the part time seam of Waseem – and it worked.
“We have always believed in his ability,” Rizwan said. “We have played together in domestic cricket in UAE, and I have seen him nailing yorkers like anything, so I have always had trust in him.
“What better moment could you have to nail your yorker, and get the big wicket of Wiese? I am really happy for him and the team.”
So what now for that team? Whatever happened before, it is Rizwan’s team now and it oozes potential.
Meiyappan, Aayan, Lakra, Vriitya Aravind and Alishan Sharafu – each of whom were not yet born the last time UAE registered a World Cup win – need to be backed for the long term.
All have memories to cherish forever from their first World Cups. Meiyappan and Aayan were history makers, as the UAE’s first T20 hat-trick taker and the youngest ever T20 World Cup player respectively.
Lakra got the wicket which punctured the Sri Lanka onslaught in the second game. Aaravind was the star of the TV adverts trailing UAE’s matches. And Sharafu showed unbelievable poise in taking the crucial catch of Wiese against Namibia.
It was not just the young brigade who had moments to savour in Geelong. Muhammad Waseem - “our champion player,” as Rizwan terms him – showed his class against Namibia. Zahoor Khan showed his best self as a death bowler.
Junaid Siddique was so good he even earned himself a fan club, who brought pictures of their hero to the UAE’s last game. They were more interested in his batting, after he had hit the tournament’s largest six, than his main suit, but take your victories where you can.
And they all signed off on a high.
“It is a massive moment,” Rizwan said. “We have a young side and we definitely want to build on this.
“We want to build a lot of great things for UAE cricket moving forward. We have a 16-year-old kid [Aayan Khan] who has done a really great job in the tournament.
“We have Karthik, who had already created history as the first UAE cricketer to take a World Cup hat-trick.
“We have made a lot of good memories for UAE cricket in this tournament. We definitely look forward to building on this.”
Generation Start-up: Awok company profile
Started: 2013
Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev
Sector: e-commerce
Size: 600 plus
Stage: still in talks with VCs
Principal Investors: self-financed by founder
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
Company%20profile
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Tips for entertaining with ease
· Set the table the night before. It’s a small job but it will make you feel more organised once done.
· As the host, your mood sets the tone. If people arrive to find you red-faced and harried, they’re not going to relax until you do. Take a deep breath and try to exude calm energy.
· Guests tend to turn up thirsty. Fill a big jug with iced water and lemon or lime slices and encourage people to help themselves.
· Have some background music on to help create a bit of ambience and fill any initial lulls in conversations.
· The meal certainly doesn’t need to be ready the moment your guests step through the door, but if there’s a nibble or two that can be passed around it will ward off hunger pangs and buy you a bit more time in the kitchen.
· You absolutely don’t have to make every element of the brunch from scratch. Take inspiration from our ideas for ready-made extras and by all means pick up a store-bought dessert.
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
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THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
SPECS
Mini John Cooper Works Clubman and Mini John Cooper Works Countryman
Engine: two-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 306hp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: JCW Clubman, Dh220,500; JCW Countryman, Dh225,500
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million