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.”
The specs
Engine: 0.8-litre four cylinder
Power: 70bhp
Torque: 66Nm
Transmission: four-speed manual
Price: $1,075 new in 1967, now valued at $40,000
On sale: Models from 1966 to 1970
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
Q&A with Dash Berlin
Welcome back. What was it like to return to RAK and to play for fans out here again?
It’s an amazing feeling to be back in the passionate UAE again. Seeing the fans having a great time that is what it’s all about.
You're currently touring the globe as part of your Legends of the Feels Tour. How important is it to you to include the Middle East in the schedule?
The tour is doing really well and is extensive and intensive at the same time travelling all over the globe. My Middle Eastern fans are very dear to me, it’s good to be back.
You mix tracks that people know and love, but you also have a visually impressive set too (graphics etc). Is that the secret recipe to Dash Berlin's live gigs?
People enjoying the combination of the music and visuals are the key factor in the success of the Legends Of The Feel tour 2018.
Have you had some time to explore Ras al Khaimah too? If so, what have you been up to?
Coming fresh out of Las Vegas where I continue my 7th annual year DJ residency at Marquee, I decided it was a perfect moment to catch some sun rays and enjoy the warm hospitality of Bab Al Bahr.
The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X
Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
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
MATCH INFO
Burnley 1 (Brady 89')
Manchester City 4 (Jesus 24', 50', Rodri 68', Mahrez 87')
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
THE SPECS
Engine: Four-cylinder 2.5-litre
Transmission: Seven-speed auto
Power: 165hp
Torque: 241Nm
Price: Dh99,900 to Dh134,000
On sale: now
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
