As you would expect at this stage of the Asia Cup, the six-team contest has been whittled down to four. The only real surprise in terms of results is Sri Lanka's early exit from the tournament.
That being said, the competition has been exciting so far – barring the one-sided game between Pakistan and Hong Kong – and there have been a few interesting narratives to emerge during the past week.
Asia Cup no longer three-way contest
Even though the rivalry between India and Pakistan still forms the cornerstone of the tournament, there is little doubt the nature of cricket's landscape across the continent is gradually changing for the better.
The stature of Bangladesh – finalists in the 2012 and 2016 competitions – continues to grow in the limited-overs game, having beaten Sri Lanka in the opening match. But they have now been joined by Afghanistan and Hong Kong as amazing prospects for the future.
Even before the tournament kicked off, leg-spinner Rashid Khan had sounded bullish about Afghanistan's title tilt. A week later, however, it is clear he was not just talking the talk. Test cricket's newest member beat Sri Lanka to knock the five-time champions out of the competition and qualify for the Super Four stage.
Hong Kong may have received a thrashing from Pakistan, but the opening stand worth 174 runs between captain Anshuman Rath and Nizakat Khan lay the foundation for a possible upset of India. It was not to be, but for the best part of Hong Kong’s chase India’s fielders were kept on tenterhooks.
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The Cricket Pod
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India prove they are still the team to beat
What a difference 24 hours can make.
From being faced with the unlikely prospect of losing to Hong Kong and then, possibly, a confident Pakistan side over back-to-back days, India have bounced back to win both games and top Group A.
They kept their cool, bowling and fielding with discipline, even as Hong Kong made a good fist of their run chase. Seamer Khaleel Ahmed was particularly impressive on debut, while his more experienced teammates did the smart thing by keeping the pressure on and waiting for the inexperienced Hong Kong batsmen to make mistakes.
The bowling attack also excelled against Pakistan, attacking their batters and taking wickets at regular intervals.
The batting has been decent so far, with everyone in the top order making meaningful contributions. Early days yet, but all this augurs well for their chances of reaching the final.
Pakistan have issues with their batting
As UAE cricketer Ahmed Raza told The National last week, there is a plenty of respect to go around for the Pakistan team. But there is also that feeling deep down among opponents that they can be beaten, because it is hard to say when it is their day and when it is not.
Wednesday was not their day, and despite being marginal favourites against India, they got crushed by their arch-rivals. This time the trouble lay with the batting.
Babar Azam (47) and Shoaib Malik (43) – both experienced players – did the hard work of repairing the damage after Pakistan had been reduced to 3-2, but threw away their wickets at the wrong time. Had one of them gone on to score a hundred, Pakistan would have set a total far more imposing than the 162 they managed on the day.
This is not to say, they have become underdogs overnight. But if they have to beat India and win the tournament – the sides could meet twice, including possibly in the final – then they need to improve their batting.
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Read more:
Paul Radley: After Asia Cup trip, Hong Kong cricket fans can look up to their own stars
Dubai transformed into Dhaka Sports City as Bangladesh fans light up Asia Cup opener
India's Asia Cup talking points: Virat Kohli's absence in UAE maybe good, maybe bad
Virat Kohli's Asia Cup absence could help revival of the Indian team, says Kapil Dev
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Sri Lanka’s 50-overs form a worry
Sri Lanka have much to do to make themselves contenders at the World Cup in the United Kingdom next year.
Their bowling is not as much of a worry, given that off-spinner Akila Dananjaya is in good form and veteran paceman Lasith Malinga has returned to the side with a bang. The batting, however, remains far from convincing – just like it had been during the home series defeat to South Africa last month.
Granted there were mitigating factors in the UAE: Dinesh Chandimal was out injured; perhaps, they should have included Niroshan Dickwella in the XI; and maybe, Lahiru Thirimanne can yet make a successful comeback to the side.
But like former India opener Gautam Gambhir once said, it is not just about picking the right players but the right combination of players. If Sri Lanka select the right batting order, and the likes of Upul Tharanga and Angelo Mathews lead by example, Sri Lanka can still get their World Cup preparations back on track.
Favourite book: ‘The Art of Learning’ by Josh Waitzkin
Favourite film: Marvel movies
Favourite parkour spot in Dubai: Residence towers in Jumeirah Beach Residence
RACE CARD
6.30pm Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200
7.05pm Handicap Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
7.40pm Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 1,400m
9.25pm Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 2,000m
The National selections:
6.30pm Underwriter
7.05pm Rayig
7.40pm Torno Subito
8.15pm Talento Puma
8.50pm Etisalat
9.25pm Gundogdu
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
Company profile
Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
States of Passion by Nihad Sirees,
Pushkin Press
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WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Mane points for safe home colouring
- Natural and grey hair takes colour differently than chemically treated hair
- Taking hair from a dark to a light colour should involve a slow transition through warmer stages of colour
- When choosing a colour (especially a lighter tone), allow for a natural lift of warmth
- Most modern hair colours are technique-based, in that they require a confident hand and taught skills
- If you decide to be brave and go for it, seek professional advice and use a semi-permanent colour
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The five pillars of Islam
Results
Ashraf Ghani 50.64 per cent
Abdullah Abdullah 39.52 per cent
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar 3.85 per cent
Rahmatullah Nabil 1.8 per cent
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
More on animal trafficking
Europe wide
Some of French groups are threatening Friday to continue their journey to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, and to meet up with drivers from other countries on Monday.
Belgian authorities joined French police in banning the threatened blockade. A similar lorry cavalcade was planned for Friday in Vienna but cancelled after authorities prohibited it.
