Afghanistan face an uphill battle as they aim to set a challenging target in the one-off Test against Ireland in Abu Dhabi.
Ireland earned a 108-run first innings lead on Day 2 at the Tolerance Oval on Thursday before the Afghans reached 134-3 by stumps to edge ahead by 26 runs with seven wickets in hand.
Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi was unbeaten on 53 at stumps, and he will be carrying the hopes of his team on Friday.
Seamer Mark Adair, as he did in the first innings, produced two early blows and Barry McCarthy then struck late to dismiss Noor Ali in what looked like a prospering third wicket stand with Shahidi.
Ibrahim Zadran (12) was the first of the two scalps for Adair in the second innings. He edged one to Peter Moor who dived to his left and held on to a one-handed catch at third slip. Rahmat Shah (9) edged one to Lorcan Tucker behind the wicket to leave Afghanistan reeling at 38-2.
Shahidi and Ali (32) shared a 55-run stand before McCarthy had the latter caught by Adair at gully off a rising delivery.
Shahidi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (23) saw their side through safely to stumps.
“When I went in, our main guys had fallen. There was pressure, but I kept it simple. As a captain you have to lead from the front,” Shahidi said.
“Gurbaz is a class player, and he has a lot of shots. I just told him to keep it simple, and that ‘if you play the defensive shots well, they will give the loose ball'.
“Tomorrow is a big day for us. We have to try to win the first session. I will try my best to do something for the team. It is windy, and conditions aren't easy for batting.
“If we win the first session tomorrow, the game will be on. We have our main batters waiting for their turn. The important thing is how Gurbaz and I start tomorrow.”
Earlier, Naveed Zadran (3-59) provided the early breakthrough for the Afghans as he did on the opening day. He had Harry Tector trapped in front for his third wicket with just six runs added to Ireland’s overnight score of 100-4.
Paul Sterling (52) and Tucker (46) put on a superb 80-run stand for the sixth wicket before Zahir Khan ended the partnership shortly before lunch.
The Afghan left-arm wrist spinner got one to turn back and find the gap between Sterling’s bat and pad to crash into middle stump and end a promising knock.
Tucker and Andy McBrine (38) chipped in with useful contributions as Ireland made 263 for a lead of 108.
Left-arm spinner Zia ur Rehman ran through the lower order and was the pick of Afghan bowlers with a career best 5-64.
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Details
Through Her Lens: The stories behind the photography of Eva Sereny
Forewords by Jacqueline Bisset and Charlotte Rampling, ACC Art Books
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The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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RESULTS
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (Turf) 2,200m
Winner: M'A Yaromoon, Jesus Rosales (jockey), Khalifa Al Neydai (trainer)
5.30pm: Khor Al Baghal – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: No Riesgo Al Maury, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
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Winner: JAP Almahfuz, Royston Ffrench, Irfan Ellahi
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Winner: Mahmouda, Pat Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi
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Winner: AS Jezan, George Buckell, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
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Winner: Dolman, Antonio Fresu, Bhupath Seemar
Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
THE SPECS
Range Rover Sport Autobiography Dynamic
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 518bhp
Torque: 625Nm
Speed: 0-100kmh 5.3 seconds
Price: Dh633,435
On sale: now
South Africa squad
Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen (wicketkeeper), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada.
The biog
Family: He is the youngest of five brothers, of whom two are dentists.
Celebrities he worked on: Fabio Canavaro, Lojain Omran, RedOne, Saber Al Rabai.
Where he works: Liberty Dental Clinic
The specs: 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Price, base: Dh198,300
Engine: 2.0L in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 280hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 2,250rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7L / 100km
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How will Gen Alpha invest?
Mark Chahwan, co-founder and chief executive of robo-advisory firm Sarwa, forecasts that Generation Alpha (born between 2010 and 2024) will start investing in their teenage years and therefore benefit from compound interest.
“Technology and education should be the main drivers to make this happen, whether it’s investing in a few clicks or their schools/parents stepping up their personal finance education skills,” he adds.
Mr Chahwan says younger generations have a higher capacity to take on risk, but for some their appetite can be more cautious because they are investing for the first time. “Schools still do not teach personal finance and stock market investing, so a lot of the learning journey can feel daunting and intimidating,” he says.
He advises millennials to not always start with an aggressive portfolio even if they can afford to take risks. “We always advise to work your way up to your risk capacity, that way you experience volatility and get used to it. Given the higher risk capacity for the younger generations, stocks are a favourite,” says Mr Chahwan.
Highlighting the role technology has played in encouraging millennials and Gen Z to invest, he says: “They were often excluded, but with lower account minimums ... a customer with $1,000 [Dh3,672] in their account has their money working for them just as hard as the portfolio of a high get-worth individual.”
Five expert hiking tips
Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
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First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
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Neil Thomson – THE BIO
Family: I am happily married to my wife Liz and we have two children together.
Favourite music: Rock music. I started at a young age due to my father’s influence. He played in an Indian rock band The Flintstones who were once asked by Apple Records to fly over to England to perform there.
Favourite book: I constantly find myself reading The Bible.
Favourite film: The Greatest Showman.
Favourite holiday destination: I love visiting Melbourne as I have family there and it’s a wonderful place. New York at Christmas is also magical.
Favourite food: I went to boarding school so I like any cuisine really.
