On October 16, Sri Lanka were thrashed by little-heralded Namibia on the opening day of the T20 World Cup in Geelong.
Seventeen days later, they are still in the running for a place in the semi-finals – although their chances are slim.
The weather forecast is set fair for both match days, so, with one round of games to play in Group 1, here is what each side needs to do to make it through.
Super 12 Group 1
1) New Zealand
Last match v Ireland on Friday
New Zealand have made all the running in the group so far – but an upset against Ireland would probably send them out. If they beat the Irish, they are guaranteed to go through.
Lose, and Australia would leapfrog them with a win over Afghanistan, and the winner of England v Sri Lanka would do the same.
If New Zealand, Australia and England all win their final matches, the net run-rate tiebreaker rule would be invoked.
New Zealand have carried a massive advantage in this regard since their opening day demolition of Australia, and it would take something highly unlikely for them to be reeled in by their rivals.
2) England
Last match v Sri Lanka on Saturday
England’s fate remains in their own hands thanks to their rousing win over New Zealand on Tuesday night in Brisbane.
Victory against Sri Lanka would almost certainly be enough to take them through, even if New Zealand and Australia win their matches.
England have a net-run rate advantage of more than 0.8 over the Aussies. Given the narrowest win over Sri Lanka, Australia would need to win by around 50 runs to advance past them.
Even with a hefty win for Australia, England still have the benefit of playing a day later, and thus knowing exactly what will be required of them.
3) Australia
Last match v Afghanistan on Friday
If they assume New Zealand beat Ireland, Australia will need a substantial win over Afghanistan, then hope Sri Lanka beat or tie with England.
4) Sri Lanka
Last match v England on Saturday
As the only side not to have had a match washed out, Sri Lanka can still reach six points if they beat England, while their rivals will finish on either seven or five.
By the time they start their match in Sydney, they will know if they still have a chance, as Australia and New Zealand each play a day earlier.
If one of those sides lose, they can take the second qualifying berth by beating England.
If both Australia and New Zealand lose, Sri Lanka would top through group with victory over Jos Buttler’s team.
5) Ireland
Last match v New Zealand on Friday
It is just about possible for Ireland still to qualify – but highly unrealistic.
They would need to beat New Zealand by a massive margin, thus matching their points total and advancing past them on net run-rate, and hope Afghanistan beat Australia and Sri Lanka thrash England.
6) Afghanistan
Cannot qualify for the semi-finals.
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
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
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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.
