Organisers of the DP World International League T20 are confident there will be a full house at Dubai International Stadium when the competition returns on Saturday.
The third season of the UAE’s T20 franchise event will get underway when MI Emirates start their title defence against Dubai Capitals.
The fixture is a repeat of last year’s final, when a near-capacity crowd watched Nicholas Pooran lead MI to the trophy. That fixture was the culmination of a general trend last season, which saw vastly improved attendances across the season.
Ahead of that campaign, David White, the newly installed chief executive, said that crowds were the top priority for the league. Twelve months on, the New Zealander insists ticket sales are better than at any point in the league’s history to date, ahead of the start of its third season.
“I was really pleased with the crowds last year,” White said. “It was a big improvement, culminating in the final where we had a huge, packed stadium.
“It is looking very good this year, a huge step up. On Saturday night, I am very confident we will have a full house. The ticket sales have been great this week, particularly since we have announced the Bollywood stars for the opening ceremony. It has really taken off.”
For Saturday’s opening fixture, the organisers have borrowed a tried-and-trusted method to add sparkle. They have announced that a trio of Bollywood stars – Shahid Kapoor, Pooja Hegde and Sonam Bajwa – will be performing at the opening ceremony, starting at 6pm on Saturday.
The Indian Premier League became the world’s leading cricket event in part due to the fusion of cricket on the field and the stardust from the Indian film industry off it.
The combination has also been frequently on display at cricket in the UAE. The early rise of the game in the UAE came when international matches in Sharjah attracted stars from the subcontinent’s entertainment sector in the stands.
Even the T10 League first took hold here amid a similar environment. The first matches of that competition, back in 2017, had film stars, including the India-born, 7ft 1in former WWE wrestler, the Great Khali, beside the boundary.
“Bollywood stars and cricket go hand in hand,” White said. “A big following of ours are the people from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
“They are a big number of our supporters, so it just feels right. The interest is huge, and we have been delighted by the ticket sales this week. It is going to be a fantastic way to start the league.
“Of course, cricket is always going to be the star attraction. But when we announced [the Bollywood trio] there was good interest.”
White was conscious of pointing out that the cricket will be the “star of the show”. Last season also saw an increase in the number of close matches in the ILT20, after the lukewarm fare that prevailed in the opening campaign.
Whether supporters are starting to feel an affiliation to the teams, rather than specific players, is debatable, but White is hopeful rivalries will emerge to make the league more engrossing.
“Being very honest, this is a start up,” White said. “It is going to take time. Everyone understands that, and I think there is going to be even more progress this year.
“There will be a natural following for teams. It is something the teams and the league are working on. I am very confident that this year is going to be a big step up from last year.
“I am just thinking now of Nicholas Pooran and the way he played in the final last year. I think he is the best T20 batter in the world, and he was phenomenal here last year. That is a lasting memory for me.
“We have world-class players involved, and with the UAE talent as well. Another memory last year was of [UAE spinner] Aayan Khan getting wickets and the crowd getting behind him.”
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The specs: Audi e-tron
Price, base: From Dh325,000 (estimate)
Engine: Twin electric motors and 95kWh battery pack
Transmission: Single-speed auto
Power: 408hp
Torque: 664Nm
Range: 400 kilometres
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ashes 2019 schedule
August 1-5: First Test, Edgbaston
August 14-18: Second Test, Lord's
August 22-26: Third Test, Headingley
September 4-8: Fourth Test, Old Trafford
September 12-16: Fifth Test, Oval
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
