Muhammad Waseem has urged his UAE teammates to forget about their chastening Asia Cup opener against India, pointing out they can still qualify for the next phase of the competition.
The national team return to action on Monday afternoon in Abu Dhabi, when they face Oman.
As was widely anticipated, the two sides lost their first matches in the pool. But, while Oman showed fight in their fixture against the giants from Pakistan, the UAE were entirely humbled by the stars of India.
They were fired out for their lowest T20I score – 57 – and the Indian Premier League stars of their opposition’s top order completed the chase in just 4.3 overs.
It was a startling capitulation, but Lalchand Rajput, the UAE coach, attempted to put a brave face on the effort immediately after.
He pointed out that India are a “world champion side”, the calibre of which the UAE players have never had to opportunity to face before.
“The coach has said it perfectly,” Waseem, the UAE captain, said on the eve of the UAE’s fixture against Oman.
“To play against such a world-class team was a good experience for us. Playing with them, yes, the score was [tough to take].
“The sooner we move on and forget about this game, the better for the team and management.
“We are a better side than we showed [against India] as you saw in the tri-series. We played Pakistan’s bowlers, we played Afghanistan’s bowlers.
“At practice in the days [since the India match], we have been thinking about the next game. Then we have a game against Pakistan, and we are still alive in the tournament.
“We will try to play the best cricket possible and try to see ourselves qualify [for the Super Four].”
Now the UAE are facing more familiar opposition. They have regularly played neighbours from Oman in both ICC qualification competitions, as well as the 50-over World Cup League 2, in the recent past.
They will also vie with each other for T20 World Cup qualification in Muscat next month.
Although the Oman side, in particular, have had a substantial overhaul of players in recent times, the sides know each other well.
We are a better side than we showed [against India] as you saw in the tri-series. We played Pakistan’s bowlers, we played Afghanistan’s bowlers
Muhammad Waseem
The fixture is the only day game of the competition. Starting at 4pm at Zayed Cricket Stadium in the capital, the final part of it will likely overlap with the fixture taking place at Dubai International Stadium, between Sri Lanka and Hong Kong. That begins at 6.30pm.
“[India] are a very good team and it was a great experience for us,” Waseem said.
“Playing against them is great for us. I will say that we are working very hard.
“We will show a good next game, and we have played much more against them before. We know [Oman]. They know us. So, we will try to make a good result.”
The fixture pits together two sides whose players mostly originate from the subcontinent. Six of the UAE’s line up for the game against India are Pakistani nationals, with the other five being Indians.
Relations between those two countries have been strained since the attack in disputed Kashmir in April.
Many supporters on either side had pushed for the game between India and Pakistan not to go ahead, or for players and officials to boycott the fixture.
Dubai police also announced safety advice for supporters ahead of Sunday's game, as well as special security measures at the stadium.
Despite the different nationalities within his side, Waseem says the dispute is not an issue, terming them “a family”.
“All these situations are only in India and Pakistan,” Waseem said.
“There are no such situations in the UAE, whether it is in daily life, whether it is in cricket, or in our friendship.
“We live like a family – away from cricket, and in cricket matches, too. We have played a lot of cricket with each other.
“We live like a national unit, so we do not have such a problem. We are all like a unit, and a family.”
Hunger and Fury: The Crisis of Democracy in the Balkans
Jasmin Mujanović, Hurst Publishers
more from Janine di Giovanni
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying or online bullying could take many forms such as sending unkind or rude messages to someone, socially isolating people from groups, sharing embarrassing pictures of them, or spreading rumors about them.
Cyberbullying can take place on various platforms such as messages, on social media, on group chats, or games.
Parents should watch out for behavioural changes in their children.
When children are being bullied they they may be feel embarrassed and isolated, so parents should watch out for signs of signs of depression and anxiety
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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GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
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
World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Strait of Hormuz
Fujairah is a crucial hub for fuel storage and is just outside the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route linking Middle East oil producers to markets in Asia, Europe, North America and beyond.
The strait is 33 km wide at its narrowest point, but the shipping lane is just three km wide in either direction. Almost a fifth of oil consumed across the world passes through the strait.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait, a move that would risk inviting geopolitical and economic turmoil.
Last month, Iran issued a new warning that it would block the strait, if it was prevented from using the waterway following a US decision to end exemptions from sanctions for major Iranian oil importers.
