An emerging star of UAE cricket might have missed out on achieving one of his dreams earlier this year, but he will move a step closer to another when he flies to India to train with Punjab Kings.
Ansh Tandon, 19, has been invited to practice with a group of emerging players at the IPL franchise.
He will fly from Dubai to Mumbai on Thursday evening, ahead of joining up with the Punjab franchise’s camp.
If he impresses, it is possible he will be retained and travel with the main side for some of the IPL campaign, which starts on April 9.
“I found out Punjab Kings were looking for new young talent after reading an article on Instagram,” Tandon said.
“I sent my videos and they really liked it. They contacted me and said, ‘We’d really like you to come to Mumbai for our camp, to train with us. If we like you, you can spend some more time with us during the IPL'.
“It will be training with the proper team, and I know a couple of their players from being in the same team as them in the Abu Dhabi T10, like [Nicholas] Pooran and Chris Jordan. It is going to be good to spend time with them.”
Tandon was due to attend Zara Hospital in Dubai on Wednesday evening for a PCR test which is a mandatory part of his trip to India.
He will face a second one on arrival, then five days’ quarantine, followed by a month of cricket training.
Although he says it is “a little nerve-racking as I don’t really know anyone there,” it is the Covid tests which most likely fill him with trepidation.
The left-handed batsman was hoping to make his UAE debut in the series against Ireland earlier this year, only to become one of four players – Chirag Suri, Alishan Sharafu and Aryan Lakra being the others – to test positive for the virus.
“Apparently I had Covid, and was sent to quarantine, so that dream didn’t come true,” Tandon said.
“I was totally asymptomatic. I had worked really hard for it, so it was kind of depressing when I heard that I wouldn’t be able to make the series, and went to quarantine.
“It was boring, but I had to bear with it. The good thing was I wasn’t alone. Alishan was in the same room, too, and I had my PlayStation, so that was good time spent.”
Tandon says he feels another ambition – that of featuring in the IPL one day – might be possible, too.
“If they like me as a cricketer, they might invite me to stay longer at the IPL and travel along with them,” Tandon said.
“I’m sure I’m going to learn a lot of things, and I’m very excited about that. IPL is the biggest franchise tournament in the whole world.
“To play in that league is literally every cricketer’s dream. Getting closer to it is an achievement, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Coincidentally, Tandon is a product of the same academy – Young Talents Cricket Academy – is the only UAE player to have been drafted to the IPL to date, Chirag Suri.
On Wednesday, Tandon was rubbing shoulders with the Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik, who has been fine-tuning his game during the Covid-postponement of the PSL, at the YTCA nets at the Goltay Academy in Hor al Anz.
He says he is grateful to Shahzad Altaf, the former UAE bowler who runs the YTCA academy, for helping him develop in the game.
“I have been playing with him since I started my cricket, and he has always been very, very supportive,” Tandon said.
“He has always been there whenever I have needed him, regardless of what my performances have been.
“I’ve been coming here every day to train at the YTCA Goltay Academy. Things have been falling into place and it has been going really well.”
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKinetic%207%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rick%20Parish%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Clean%20cooking%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self-funded%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
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
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Boulder shooting victims
• Denny Strong, 20
• Neven Stanisic, 23
• Rikki Olds, 25
• Tralona Bartkowiak, 49
• Suzanne Fountain, 59
• Teri Leiker, 51
• Eric Talley, 51
• Kevin Mahoney, 61
• Lynn Murray, 62
• Jody Waters, 65
The bio
Favourite vegetable: Broccoli
Favourite food: Seafood
Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange
Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania
Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.
Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes
Brahmastra%3A%20Part%20One%20-%20Shiva
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAyan%20Mukerji%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERanbir%20Kapoor%2C%20Alia%20Bhatt%20and%20Amitabh%20Bachchan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company Profile
Company name: NutriCal
Started: 2019
Founder: Soniya Ashar
Based: Dubai
Industry: Food Technology
Initial investment: Self-funded undisclosed amount
Future plan: Looking to raise fresh capital and expand in Saudi Arabia
Total Clients: Over 50
The specs: 2018 Renault Koleos
Price, base: From Dh77,900
Engine: 2.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 170hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 233Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.3L / 100km
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Mission%3A%20Impossible%20-%20Dead%20Reckoning%20Part%20One
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Christopher%20McQuarrie%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tom%20Cruise%2C%20Hayley%20Atwell%2C%20Pom%20Klementieff%2C%20Simon%20Pegg%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE SPECS
Engine: 4.4-litre V8
Transmission: Automatic
Power: 530bhp
Torque: 750Nm
Price: Dh535,000
On sale: Now
