It is 21 months since they did it in the last T20 World Cup qualifier in Muscat. Eight months since the Cricket World Cup League 2 at Tribhuvan University. Six months since the Asia Cup decider in Kirtipur. And a mere seven days since the tri-nations series final.
Now here they are, all set to do it again, with absolutely everything riding on one match. The UAE and Nepal really need to stop meeting like this.
The two biggest rivals in Asian cricket beyond the Test elite have one, winner-takes-all encounter left to decide who goes to next year's T20 World Cup.
Forty overs to decide who gets to mix with the best in the United States and the West Indies next June. It feels a scandal that it is going to be one or the other, and not both.
It did not need to be like this. Nepal could have evaded their old rivals if they had beaten Oman in Kantipur.
As is their habit, they tried their best to pull off an unbelievable heist. They required 26 off their final over to haul in the 146 they needed.
Thanks to some extraordinary hitting by Bibek Yadav, they got to within one blow, only to fall short.
At the same time, across Kathmandu, the UAE were busy putting together a third win in their group, by 22 runs against Kong Kong. As group winners, they get to play the second-placed side from the other pool: Nepal.
The national team also get the benefit of continuing to play at the ground at which they played all their pool matches, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground.
That is significant, and the source of much conjecture. The tournament organisers opted to play this fixture at Mulpani no matter where the host nation finished.
There has been precedent at a variety of tournaments in the past for a venue to be decided on the basis of where a particular team play. India, for example, played all their matches at recent Asia Cups in Dubai, no matter how their draw worked out.
It would surely have made more sense for Nepal to be guaranteed to play at Tribhuvan University. The ground can accommodate up to around 15,000 supporters on its grass banks and seated areas.
By contrast, there are no spectator facilities inside the perimeter walls at Mulpani. Instead, fans on the high side over the ground have to peer over walls and between barbed wiring.
Behind a fence square of the wicket is a large expanse of wasteland on which cows graze, plus a half-constructed building and one basic toilet.
Given what is at stake, the area will likely be swamped by fans on Friday.
On the field, the UAE at least know the challenge that will be facing them. They have faced Nepal 23 times in all limited-overs cricket in the past five years, winning 10 and losing 13.
They are buoyed, though, by the excellent cricket they have played in beating Kuwait, Bahrain and Hong Kong so far in the competition.
“We are obviously eyeing the trophy and our team has been going really well, at this ground especially,” Basil Hameed said.
“It is a tricky ground but we have played enough games to understand the situation.
“Having said that, Nepal are a really strong side. They have been doing very well for the past six months, and of course, they have good backing from the crowd as well.
“We need to be at the top of our game. I’m hoping everyone can contribute to get us to the final.”
Vriitya Aravind will be waiting on the result of an X-ray to see if he can take his place in the XI to face Nepal. He suffered a hand injury while batting against Hong Kong.
Hameed, too, is still nursing a hand injury which required stitches during the recent ILT20 development tournament in Dubai.
It has not adversely affected his form, though. He was named player of the match in the win over Hong Kong for a sparkling half century. He averages 69 in seven T20 internationals at Mulpani.
“I am glad that I have been able to work out a formula in my batting,” Hameed said.
“Running between the wickets is crucial on this type of a surface. I am glad I have been able to work out something for my team.”
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Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
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