The New York Strikers denied the Deccan Gladiators a hat-trick of Abu Dhabi T10 titles as they won the competition for the first time at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
They restricted the Gladiators to 91 for five and knocked off the winning runs with four balls to spare with Asif Ali and captain Kieron Pollard sharing an undefeated 54-run stand for the fourth wicket to take their side over the line with four balls to spare.
The Strikers didn’t have it easy after Trent Boult struck with the fifth delivery of the opening over. The New Zealand quick bowler had Muhammad Waseem (six) trapped in front when the score was seven.
Nuwan Thushara knocked back Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s (one) middle stump with his first delivery in the next over.
Andre Russell bowled a fine over, removing Niroshan Dickwella and conceding just four runs that left the Strikers on 38 for three at the halfway mark of their innings.
Needing 50 from the last 30 balls, Ali and the Strikers captain Pollard set about their job to take their side to their first Abu Dhabi T10 title.
Ali hit an unbeaten 48 in 25 deliveries and finished in style with a six over off Zahoor Khan and the deep-midwicket fence. Pollard chipped in with a useful 22 off 13 with a six and four.
After the toss, the Gladiators were sent into bat and got off to a decent start. Tom Kohler-Cadmore sent the first two deliveries he faced from Mohammad Amir to the point and deep cover boundaries for 12 in the first over.
Nicholas Pooran smashed three fours off Muhammad Jawadullah to take the score to 24 in the next before Sunil Narine provided the breakthrough when he spun one that pitched outside the off stump to hit the top of Kohler-Cadmore’s leg stump and leave the score at 28 for one.
Pooran departed two balls later. The Gladiators captain, going for a big shot, ended up skying one for Narine to hold a high catch at extra cover off George Scrimshaw’s first delivery.
Narine was among the wickets again when he had Andre Fletcher caught by Odean Smith at midwicket. Ali grabbed a stunning one-handed catch dive to his right to send Imad Wasim back to the dugout off Jawadullah, 41 for four in six overs.
Akeal Hosein, the hero of the previous night when he took five wickets for six runs including a hat-trick, struck from his very first ball in the next over. Fabian Allen hit the left-arm spinner straight down to Ali at deep midwicket, five for 57.
Andre Russell and David Wiese then got them to 91 for five with a 34-run partnership in 17 balls.
Russell hit a couple of sixes and two fours in an unbeaten 30 in 18 balls and Wiese struck a four and two to the maximum in a 11-ball 20.
After the match, winning captain Pollard said: “I would say congratulations to the entire New York Strikers team, support staff, owners and players for supporting us.
“We were runners-up last year so we understand the feelings. We are very happy with the franchise.
“A lot of planning goes into the opening partnership between Pooran and TKC in the entire tournament. They had been doing well as openers in the entire tournament.
“We had to be precise to get them. At the end of the day, we made sure our guys are in strategic positions to get them early.
“The kudos must go our bowlers. I thought they played fantastically well, each one of them played a part in any given situation hence we are the champions. For batting, these pitches aren’t conducive, but we need to hang in there.”
Gladiators captain Pooran said: “It’s unfortunate to be on the losing side tonight. We were 10-15 runs short there. The Strikers bowled really well throughout the tournament. It’s a game of cricket, somebody has to win, somebody has to lose.
“We are really happy for them as well, this is what cricket is all about. We’ll just have to come back next year and try to be better.
“It doesn’t matter what the situation was, we fought really hard. Took the game to the last over. I’m really proud of the guys, can’t really complain too much. We took the hard way to the finals. It was unfortunate that it didn’t work out.”
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister for Tolerance and Coexistence and the Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, spoke before the match began.
“We have seen great talents this year in Abu Dhabi T10 who have reminded us of the joy and demands of competition and brought us all closer together in the spirit of enjoyment and celebration.” he said.
“Cricket is an international sport that is quite at home in the global community of the United Arab Emirates. With the support of leaders and people of our country, we at Emirates Cricket Board, are proud to bring this tournament to cricket fans everywhere.
“The sport of cricket encourages important values that are essential for us in the United Arab Emirates. Cricket demands dedication, patience, collaboration, balance, alertness, concentration, technique, judgment, discipline, daring, civility and teamwork. In the light of the leadership of the President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we at Emirates Cricket Board, embrace all the values and principles.
“I stand in gratitude to all who have enabled the smooth running of the competition. We thank the sponsors, team members, umpires, referees, and commentators for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to making Abu Dhabi T10 a great success. I wish you all continued enjoyment. Please, enjoy the match. Good luck to everybody.”
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Valladolid v Osasuna (Kick-off midnight UAE)
Saturday Valencia v Athletic Bilbao (5pm), Getafe v Sevilla (7.15pm), Huesca v Alaves (9.30pm), Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (midnight)
Sunday Real Sociedad v Eibar (5pm), Real Betis v Villarreal (7.15pm), Elche v Granada (9.30pm), Barcelona v Levante (midnight)
Monday Celta Vigo v Cadiz (midnight)
RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES
September 30
South Africa v Australia
Argentina v New Zealand
October 7
South Africa v New Zealand
Argentina v Australia
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US households add $601bn of debt in 2019
American households borrowed another $601 billion (Dh2.2bn) in 2019, the largest yearly gain since 2007, just before the global financial crisis, according to February data from the New York Federal Reserve Bank.
Fuelled by rising mortgage debt as homebuyers continued to take advantage of low interest rates, the increase last year brought total household debt to a record high, surpassing the previous peak reached in 2008 just before the market crash, according to the report.
Following the 22nd straight quarter of growth, American household debt swelled to $14.15 trillion by the end of 2019, the New York Fed said in its quarterly report.
In the final three months of the year, new home loans jumped to their highest volume since the fourth quarter of 2005, while credit cards and auto loans also added to the increase.
The bad debt load is taking its toll on some households, and the New York Fed warned that more and more credit card borrowers — particularly young people — were falling behind on their payments.
"Younger borrowers, who are disproportionately likely to have credit cards and student loans as their primary form of debt, struggle more than others with on-time repayment," New York Fed researchers said.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
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- Number of children under five will fall from 681 million in 2017 to 401m in 2100
- Over-80s will rise from 141m in 2017 to 866m in 2100
- Nigeria will become the world’s second most populous country with 791m by 2100, behind India
- China will fall dramatically from a peak of 2.4 billion in 2024 to 732 million by 2100
- an average of 2.1 children per woman is required to sustain population growth
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
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).
Babumoshai Bandookbaaz
Director: Kushan Nandy
Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami
Three stars
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
