The title of the exhibition fixture ahead of the Emirates D10 final on Monday night was largely a misnomer.
At the end of it, players from a side known as the ECB Hawks posed in front of a sign proclaiming them champions of the “Women’s All Stars” match.
However, a raft of those involved are still just girls. It is a boon for UAE cricket that many of those who shone in a match broadcast live for the first time are teens with bright futures ahead of them in representative cricket.
Sure, the Hawks eventually won thanks to the canniness of senior players like Chaya Mughal, 34, and Chamani Seneviratna, the 42-year-old former Sri Lanka international, whose nerveless bowling clinched victory.
But they were pushed as close as it was possible to be by a Falcons side led by a 17-year-old captain, Kavisha Kumari, who entrusted key roles in the Super Over to players who were even younger.
Samaira Dharnidharka already has four T20 internationals to her name, despite only turning 14 last month.
The Winchester College schoolgirl turned a match that had seemed lost when she bowled opposition captain Mughal for 27, then picked up a direct hit run out shortly after.
The Dubai-born allrounder, who is one of the quickest bowlers already in the women’s game here, says she has always felt comfortable in the company of older players.
“My dad inspired me [to take up cricket when she was five],” Dharnidharka said. “He was a fan of cricket, and he told me I had a talent for it and I should pursue it.
“Opposite where we lived was a school that hosted cricket, and I went along. The coach told me I had talent, enough to play for India. Obviously, I was like ‘Whoa’, and thought it was amazing.
“[Since getting into the UAE set up] I’ve never felt intimidated because the senior players have always been welcoming and given me tips how to improve.”
When I think about UAE as a national team, I feel really happy about the future
Dharnidharka batted with another young prodigy for Falcons in the Super Over, which followed the scores being tied at 56 runs apiece in the regulation 10 overs.
Mahika Gaur, 15, is striking for two notable reasons. Firstly, her towering height, and second the passing resemblance of her left-arm pace bowling to her role model Mitchell Starc.
“I do try and intimidate and attack from the first ball as much as I can,” Gaur said. “I can see it sometimes, but not with senior players.”
The England-born seamer, whose two run outs in the final over forced the tie, first came to cricket as a nine year old, a year after moving to Dubai with her family from the UK.
“I was going to badminton, and we used to pass the ICC Academy on the way,” Gaur said.
“I was told about the women’s programme. I went along, and in the first session I was bowling to Chaya in the indoor nets. I loved it and stopped badminton straight away so I could play cricket instead.”
According to Mughal, the captain of the winning side, the emergence of so many young players means the future is bright for the game in the Emirates.
“When I think about UAE as a national team, I feel really happy about the future,” Mughal said.
“UAE has got talent. The only thing the girls have to do is to back themselves. And whenever they get opportunities like this, they have to deliver on it.
“Whether you get one over to bowl, or two balls to face, just do it. Girls are coming up who are not frightened or scared.
“It doesn’t matter if it is a senior player or a junior against them, they are just ready to do it. And when they play more matches, they get more confidence.
“The men have played many matches, and this was our first chance. It was a really exciting game, with a Super Over at the end.
"I am sure we will get more chance to play and showcase our talent on a larger scale like this.”
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Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
Poland Statement
All people fleeing from Ukraine before the armed conflict are allowed to enter Poland. Our country shelters every person whose life is in danger - regardless of their nationality.
The dominant group of refugees in Poland are citizens of Ukraine, but among the people checked by the Border Guard are also citizens of the USA, Nigeria, India, Georgia and other countries.
All persons admitted to Poland are verified by the Border Guard. In relation to those who are in doubt, e.g. do not have documents, Border Guard officers apply appropriate checking procedures.
No person who has received refuge in Poland will be sent back to a country torn by war.
World Cricket League Division 2
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
