Afghanistan batsmen again showed incredible composure while chasing as they defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets in their World Cup match on Monday.
Rahmat Shah, who had starred with the bat in their thumping win over Pakistan, scored a timely 62 while captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (58) helped chase down 242 in the company of Azmatullah Omarzai (73).
The Afghans exhibited the same calm demeanour that helped them reach 283 against Pakistan, maintaining the tempo by not getting too aggressive or too slow at any stage in Pune.
On Monday, the target was smaller but Sri Lanka’s bowling was more disciplined. In-form opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz was clean bowled for a duck in the first over of the chase, which gave Sri Lanka a big boost.
But Ibrahim Zadran (39) defied the Sri Lankans in the company of Shah and soon Sri Lanka’s limited bowling resources on a good batting surface was exposed.
Omarzai upped the scoring rate as the target approached, taking 63 balls for his knock that included six fours and three sixes.
Without taking many risks, Afghanistan reached the target in 45.2 overs for their third win from six games, that takes them up to fifth in the table and raises hopes of a shot at a semi-final spot.
Earlier, Afghanistan bowlers gave another good account of themselves, with fast-bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi marking his return to the team with a four-wicket haul at the MCA Stadium.
Left-arm quick Farooqi finished with an impressive 4-34 in 10 overs after replacing teenage leg-spinner Noor Ahmad who had taken three wickets in their win over Pakistan in the previous game.
Off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman opened the bowling with Farooqi and was equally effective, picking up 2-38 in 10 overs.
Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka made 46 but other batsmen failed to make significant contributions as the islanders were bowled out for 241 in their final over.
The total could have been even lower with Sri Lanka rocking on 185-7 but Angelo Mathews (23) and spinner Maheesh Theekshana (29) showed some fight to push the score close to 250.
At the start, Farooqi was up and running when he had Dimuth Karunaratne lbw on review for 15.
Nissanka, fresh from his unbeaten 77 in the eight-wicket rout of England, was in sight of his fifth fifty in six innings this World Cup. But he was caught behind for 46, trying to cut paceman Omarzai, to end a 60-ball stay including five fours.
Mujeeb then struck in successive overs to leave the 1996 champions reeling.
Mendis gave his wicket away by sweeping Mujeeb straight to deep square leg, having taken 50 balls over his 39. Sri Lanka were soon 139-4 when Mujeeb got Sadeera Samarawickrama plumb lbw for 36.
Star leg-spinner Rashid Khan then marked his 100th ODI by clean bowling Dhananjaya de Silva with a wicked googly.
Tailender Theekshana played a useful knock before he was expertly yorked by Farooqi, who had Mathews well caught in the deep by Mohammad Nabi.
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SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%202-litre%20direct%20injection%20turbo%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%207-speed%20automatic%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20261hp%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20400Nm%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20From%20Dh134%2C999%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile
Started: 2016
Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel
Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
RESULTS
1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,400m
Winner: Dirilis Ertugrul, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Ismail Mohammed (trainer)
2.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,400m
Winner: Kidd Malibu, Sandro Paiva, Musabah Al Muhairi
2.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,000m
Winner: Raakezz, Tadhg O’Shea, Nicholas Bachalard
3.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,200m
Winner: Au Couer, Sean Kirrane, Satish Seemar
3.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m
Winner: Rayig, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m
Winner: Chiefdom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m
Winner: King’s Shadow, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Torino (Kick-off 10.45pm UAE)
Saturday Atalanta v Sampdoria (5pm),
Genoa v Inter Milan (8pm),
Lazio v Bologna (10.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Crotone (3.30pm)
Benevento v Napoli (6pm)
Parma v Spezia (6pm)
Fiorentina v Udinese (9pm)
Juventus v Hellas Verona (11.45pm)
Monday AC Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)
