Muhammad Waseem prepared for a momentous final day of Cricket World Cup League 2 by playing arguably the most extraordinary innings in UAE’s one-day international history.
The national team’s captain brought his T20 prowess to bear in the longer of the limited-overs formats for the first time, with a stunning assault against Papua New Guinea in Kathmandu.
Waseem has already made two T20I centuries in his brief career to date, but had only passed 50 twice in 29 innings in the 50-over game before this one.
PNG, who had won their last three encounters with the national side, were the ones to bear the brunt as Waseem finally brought his T20 domination to bear in 50 overs.
The opener blazed 12 sixes in his innings of 119 from 76 balls. At one stage it appeared as if he might be set to break Eoin Morgan's record for most sixes in an ODI innings of 17.
Waseem's innings set his side up for a morale-boosting six-wicket win in their penultimate game in the competition.
He reached three figures off the 61st ball he faced. That was the fastest ODI century by a UAE player, breaking the 69-ball record of Vriitya Aravind – who was batting at the other end when Waseem achieved his milestone.
Waseem's final score was the third highest by a UAE player in the format, with only Khurram Khan (132 not out) and Rameez Shahzad (121 not out) having made more in the past.
Earlier in the day, Hazrat Bilal took four wickets as UAE restricted PNG to 234-7 from their 50 overs. Waseem's blitz at the top of the innings helped the national team reach the target with six wickets, and 68 balls, in hand.
"I had never taken 29 innings [to make a century] before and I was sad about this, but Alhamdulillah I did this today for my team," Waseem said.
"To be honest, I have to play my natural game. I am an opener and if I can get us off to a good start, and we can get 60 or 70 in the first 10 overs, it is good for my team.
"If I am there at the wicket, I will always try to play my natural game at the start of the innings. I just tried my best."
After three and a half years of competition, the last match of League 2 will take place on Thursday. Although UAE’s own fate is already sealed, there remains much riding on the final fixture. The tourists could yet be the ultimate party-poopers.
The national team are already guaranteed to play at the World Cup Qualifier Play-off in Namibia, starting later this month. If they beat Nepal on the final day, they will be joining them in Windhoek.
If the home side win, though, they will advance directly to the global Qualifier in Zimbabwe in the summer.
The stakes have sent the home supporters into a frenzy. As many as 20,000 are expected to pack into the Tribhuvan University ground, with potentially thousands more watching on from various vantage points – including being perched in trees – beyond the barbed wire fences.
"We don't care about audience or the crowd," Waseem said.
"We have already played in front of this crowd. We will try to play our best cricket and finish with a win.
"If I can play the same as I did today, if I do that tomorrow it will be good for my team."
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
What is type-1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a genetic and unavoidable condition, rather than the lifestyle-related type 2 diabetes.
It occurs mostly in people under 40 and a result of the pancreas failing to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugars.
Too much or too little blood sugar can result in an attack where sufferers lose consciousness in serious cases.
Being overweight or obese increases the chances of developing the more common type 2 diabetes.
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
Day 3, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage, the Sri Lanka pace bowler, has had to play a lot of cricket to earn a shot at the top level. The 29-year-old debutant first played a first-class game 11 years ago. His first Test wicket was one to savour, bowling Pakistan opener Shan Masood through the gate. It set the rot in motion for Pakistan’s batting.
Stat of the day – 73 Haris Sohail took 73 balls to hit a boundary. Which is a peculiar quirk, given the aggressive intent he showed from the off. Pakistan’s batsmen were implored to attack Rangana Herath after their implosion against his left-arm spin in Abu Dhabi. Haris did his best to oblige, smacking the second ball he faced for a huge straight six.
The verdict One year ago, when Pakistan played their first day-night Test at this ground, they held a 222-run lead over West Indies on first innings. The away side still pushed their hosts relatively close on the final night. With the opposite almost exactly the case this time around, Pakistan still have to hope they can salvage a win from somewhere.
Naga
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
