Pakistan will still be recovering from the shock of their T20 World Cup opener against India when they face Zimbabwe in Perth on Thursday.
Babar Azam's team contrived to surrender a winning position against India in Melbourne on Sunday, with Virat Kohli's epic unbeaten 82 snatching a last-ball win in what is regarded as one of the greatest T20 innings ever played.
There, Pakistan were defending 48 runs from 18 balls but ended up on the losing side in front of more than 90,000 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
That missed opportunity will be in the minds of Pakistan's players when they take on the unheralded Zimbabweans. However, given the state of affairs in the World Cup so far, they will need to be on their toes.
Weather has already played a huge part in the opening stages of the tournament. South Africa's match against Zimbabwe and New Zealand's clash against Afghanistan was washed out, forcing teams to share points. Also, Ireland stunned England on Wednesday in a rain-curtailed match, ruining every pre-tournament calculation.
That means teams not only have to keep one eye on the weather, but also must prepare for shortened games. With little room for error, Pakistan will be looking for a more clinical performance against Zimbabwe following their Melbourne heartbreak.
"The hurt remains after losing such a big match. We were heart-broken," said middle-order batsman Iftikhar Ahmed, who hit 51 in Pakistan's loss against India.
Ahmed said that morale remained high and praised skipper Babar Azam for his handling of the team in the aftermath of the India loss. A video of Azam's pep talk to his side went viral.
"We have to learn from our mistakes. Don't fall, the tournament has just begun. We have lost as a team and will win as a team," Azam said in the video.
"The way Babar and the management supported the players, it was good. Babar and coaches told us that 'it was not our last game, everybody put in the effort'," Iftikhar said on Wednesday. "So our morale is high."
Ahmed said no team can be taken lightly in the 20-over format.
"Zimbabwe is an international team and we have to play strong against them like any other team," said the 32-year-old. "Important to play well and keep up the confidence. The players are hungry to perform."
While spinner Mohammad Nawaz drew the ire of fans after conceding 16 runs in the final over against India, pace spearhead Haris Rauf also faced scrutiny as he was hit for two successive sixes by Kohli in a game-changing moment at the end of the 19th over.
However, Ahmed said the pacer had bowled admirably until then and will recover from the setback quickly.
"The Australian pitches are fast and bouncy and we have prepared for that," said Ahmed. "Haris is our main strike bowler and we expect him to bowl better here and win it for Pakistan."
Pakistan will have a few concerns going into the match on Thursday. Their lower middle order of Shadab Khan, Haider Ali, Nawaz and Asif Ali collapsed within a couple of overs to hand the initiative back to India. Also, returning pace ace Shaheen Afridi was down on speed and was negotiated expertly by the Indian batsmen.
Pakistan could bring in top-order batsman Fakhar Zaman, subject to fitness, and pacer Mohammad Wasim Jr. There is no serious threat of rain affecting the match, according to forecasts.
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India's Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 82 to secure victory against Pakistan in their T20 World Cup match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, October 23, 2022. AP -

India captain Rohit Sharma lifts Virat Kohli as they celebrate their win over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup in Melbourne. AFP -

Virat Kohli guided India to victory over Pakistan in Melbourne on Sunday. AP -

Virat Kohli secured a famous win for India against Pakistan. Getty -

India's Virat Kohli, left, and Hardik Pandya starred in a century stand to clinch victory against Pakistan in Melbourne on Sunday. AP -

India's Hardik Pandya scored a quick 40 and took three wickets in Melbourne on Sunday. AP -

India's Virat Kohli scored one of the finest T20 innings in a chase against Pakistan in Melbourne. AFP -

Fan attendance is shown on a giant at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. AP -

Virat Kohli hit successive sixes in the penultimate over to set up victory. AP -

Pakistan's Haris Rauf took the wicket of India captain Rohit Sharma in Melbourne on Sunday. AFP -

Haris Rauf rocked India's top order with extreme pace. Getty -

India opener KL Rahul is bowled by Pakistan quick Naseem Shah. AFP -

Naseem Shah of Pakistan is congratulated by teammates after getting the wicket of KL Rahul at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Getty -

Pakistan's Shan Masood held the innings together with a fine fifty. AFP -

Pakistan's Shan Masood scored an unbeaten fifty against India in Melbourne. AFP -

India's Hardik Pandya, right, reacts after dismissing Pakistan's Mohammad Nawaz. AP -

Hardik Pandya took three wickets for India. AFP -

A pitch invader runs onto the field at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. Getty -

Pakistan's Iftikhar Ahmed celebrates reaching his fifty in Melbourne. AFP -

Iftikhar Ahmed gave Pakistan's innings the impetus. Getty -

India and Pakistan fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Getty -

India's Arshdeep Singh, left, reacts after dismissing Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan. AP
While you're here
MATCH INFO
Day 2 at the Gabba
Australia 312-1
Warner 151 not out, Burns 97, Labuschagne 55 not out
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Shafiq 76, Starc 4-52
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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
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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.
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Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
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Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Results
MATCH INFO
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Real Madrid: Isco (33'), Ramos (38'), Vázquez (84'), Jovic (90' 2)
The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry
Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000
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Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm
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Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
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Eagles
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Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
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Multitasking pays off for money goals
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Too often, financial experts say, people want to attack their money goals one at a time: "As soon as I pay off my credit card debt, then I'll start saving for a home," or, "As soon as I pay off my student loan debt, then I'll start saving for retirement"."
People do not realise how costly the words "as soon as" can be. Paying off debt is a worthy goal, but it should not come at the expense of other goals, particularly saving for retirement. The sooner money is contributed, the longer it can benefit from compounded returns. Compounded returns are when your investment gains earn their own gains, which can dramatically increase your balances over time.
"By putting off saving for the future, you are really inhibiting yourself from benefiting from that wonderful magic," says Kimberly Zimmerman Rand , an accredited financial counsellor and principal at Dragonfly Financial Solutions in Boston. "If you can start saving today ... you are going to have a lot more five years from now than if you decide to pay off debt for three years and start saving in year four."
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How to wear a kandura
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- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
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- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
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Name: Lynn Davison
Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi
Children: She has one son, Casey, 28
Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK
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Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
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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.
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Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
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Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
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Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
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1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
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Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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Each player begins with one of the great empires of history, from Julius Caesar's Rome to Ramses of Egypt, spread over Europe and the Middle East.
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A dice-based battle system is used and players can get the edge on their enemy with by deploying a renowned hero on the battlefield.
Players that lose battles and land will find their coffers dwindle and troops go hungry. The end goal? Global domination of course.
'Spies in Disguise'
Director: Nick Bruno and Troy Quane
Stars: Will Smith, Tom Holland, Karen Gillan and Roshida Jones
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
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2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
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Price, base / as tested Dh1,100,000 (est)
Engine 5.2-litre V10
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch
Power 630bhp @ 8,000rpm
Torque 600Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 15.7L / 100km (est)
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Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder MHEV
Power: 360bhp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh282,870
On sale: now
Draw
Quarter-finals
Real Madrid (ESP) or Manchester City (ENG) v Juventus (ITA) or Lyon (FRA)
RB Leipzig (GER) v Atletico Madrid (ESP)
Barcelona (ESP) or Napoli (ITA) v Bayern Munich (GER) or Chelsea (ENG)
Atalanta (ITA) v Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
Ties to be played August 12-15 in Lisbon
The bio
Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions
School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira
Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk
Dream City: San Francisco
Hometown: Dubai
City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala

