Dhruv Parashar insists the UAE can still make the semi-finals of the Under-19 Asia Cup despite having passed up a golden opportunity to scalp a Test-playing nation.
The national team went down to a 61-run loss to Bangladesh in their opening fixture of the pool stage at the ICC Academy on Saturday.
Parashar had helped put them into a fine position to cause an upset. The off-spin bowling all-rounder took six for 44 as the host nation bowled Bangladesh out for 228 with three balls still to play in their 50 overs.
A scruffy display in the later overs meant that was somewhat more than the UAE might have been chasing. It appeared gettable as the top order reached 74 for two in the early phase of the reply.
A collapse that saw them lose four wickets for 17 proved seminal, though, and the home team could only manage 167 before they were bowled out.
“This was a very good opportunity that we had to beat a Test-playing nation,” Parashar said.
“We did very well to restrict them and then made a good start to our innings. It was all set up for us to cause an upset but unfortunately we weren’t able to execute our batting properly and we fell short.
“But there are only lessons to take from this game. We have to get ready for the next game and I think we have a very good chance of making the semi-finals.
“The next game is against Sri Lanka, so we have to go to the nets tomorrow and get prepped and ready for that, and this time finish the game off.”
Parashar said it was “a special feeling” to take six wickets. He had taken four against the West Indies in a winning cause in the U19 World Cup last year.
He said he was disappointed this haul was in a losing cause, and he pointed to missed opportunities with the bat as the cause.
“[Four] of our guys got scores of 20-plus today," he said. "Against any good opposition, you have to convert those starts because not everybody gets starts.
“Against a good team you can get a good ball and be dismissed, but when you get a good start, to make a difference you have to capitalise and play that long innings.
“No matter what the situation, we shouldn’t be struggling to play 50 overs. We all need to value our wickets more. We all are young, and there are only lessons to take from here.
“We are a very talented team and we have the chance to beat these Test-playing nations. We just need to capitalise on the starts in both batting and bowling.”
In the other match of the day, Sri Lanka dominated Japan. They won with the best part of 38 overs to spare after bowling Japan out for 75.
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
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