• Royal Challengers Bangalore and India captain Virat Kohli has landed in Dubai for IPL 2020. Courtesy Virat Kohli twitter / @imVkohli
    Royal Challengers Bangalore and India captain Virat Kohli has landed in Dubai for IPL 2020. Courtesy Virat Kohli twitter / @imVkohli
  • Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma with wife Ritika and daughter Samaira in Abu Dhabi for IPL 2020. Courtesy Mumbai Indians twitter / @mipaltan
    Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma with wife Ritika and daughter Samaira in Abu Dhabi for IPL 2020. Courtesy Mumbai Indians twitter / @mipaltan
  • Mumbai Indians fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is in UAE for IPL 2020. Courtesy Mumbai Indians twitter / @mipaltan
    Mumbai Indians fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is in UAE for IPL 2020. Courtesy Mumbai Indians twitter / @mipaltan
  • Mumbai Indians all-rounder Krunal Pandya with wife Pankhuri in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Mumbai Indians twitter / @mipaltan
    Mumbai Indians all-rounder Krunal Pandya with wife Pankhuri in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Mumbai Indians twitter / @mipaltan
  • Mumbai Indians all-rounder Hardik Pandya after arriving in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Mumbai Indians twitter / @mipaltan
    Mumbai Indians all-rounder Hardik Pandya after arriving in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Mumbai Indians twitter / @mipaltan
  • Mumbai Indians bowler Dhawal Kulkarni and daughter Nitara in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Mumbai Indians twitter / @mipaltan
    Mumbai Indians bowler Dhawal Kulkarni and daughter Nitara in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Mumbai Indians twitter / @mipaltan
  • Kings XI Punjab captain KL Rahul is ready for IPL 2020 in UAE. Courtesy Kings XI Punjab twitter / @lionsdenkxip
    Kings XI Punjab captain KL Rahul is ready for IPL 2020 in UAE. Courtesy Kings XI Punjab twitter / @lionsdenkxip
  • Mumbai Indians on their way to the UAE for the IPL. Courtesy Mumbai Indians twitter / @mipaltan
    Mumbai Indians on their way to the UAE for the IPL. Courtesy Mumbai Indians twitter / @mipaltan
  • Royal Challengers Bangalore team on their way to Dubai for IPL 2020 in the UAE. Courtesy Royal Challengers Bangalore twitter / @RCBTweets
    Royal Challengers Bangalore team on their way to Dubai for IPL 2020 in the UAE. Courtesy Royal Challengers Bangalore twitter / @RCBTweets
  • Mumbai Indians' Aditya Tare with his family on his way to Abu Dhabi for IPL 2020. Courtesy Mumbai Indians twitter / @mipaltan
    Mumbai Indians' Aditya Tare with his family on his way to Abu Dhabi for IPL 2020. Courtesy Mumbai Indians twitter / @mipaltan
  • Mumbai Indians' Surya Kumar Yadav with wife Devisha on their way to Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Mumbai Indians twitter / @mipaltan
    Mumbai Indians' Surya Kumar Yadav with wife Devisha on their way to Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Mumbai Indians twitter / @mipaltan
  • Royal Challengers Bangalore pacer Umesh Yadav, right, before travelling to Dubai for IPL 2020. Courtesy Royal Challengers Bangalore twitter / @RCBTweets
    Royal Challengers Bangalore pacer Umesh Yadav, right, before travelling to Dubai for IPL 2020. Courtesy Royal Challengers Bangalore twitter / @RCBTweets

India ready to host England Tests in February ahead of 2021 IPL, Sourav Ganguly says


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Sourav Ganguly insists India are committed to hosting England next year ahead of the 2021 Indian Premier League.

England's original white-ball tour to India, slated to start next month, was a casualty of the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the International cricket Council's Future Tours Programme (FTP), India are scheduled to tour Australia in December and host England for their last five world Test championship matches in early 2021.

Ganguly, president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, said in an email: "The BCCI and the Indian cricket team will continue to fulfil its FTP commitments.

"The senior Indian men's team will travel to Australia for its series starting in December this year, and will come back to the country for a series against England starting February next year. This will be followed by IPL 2021 in April."

The start date for this year's edition of the IPL has been pushed back repeatedly due to the coronavirus pandemic and will now be held in the UAE.

Starting September 19, the world's most lucrative league is set to be held in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah with the final on November 10.

Several teams, including Virat Kohli's Mumbai Indians, touched down in the Emirates this past week ahead of the six-week tournament.

While the IPL will be played in a bio-secure environment, the Emirates Cricket Board hopes fans will be allowed at the venues at some stage of the tournament.

Ganguly also confirmed the BCCI's readiness to host the 2021 T20 World Cup, which was originally scheduled for Australia this year before being cancelled due to the Covid-19 outbreak, and the 50-over showpiece event in 2023.

Australia will host the T20 World Cup in 2022.

________________________

UAE venues to host 2020 IPL

  • A general view of Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Getty Images
    A general view of Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Getty Images
  • Ashfaq Ahmed of the UAE comes out to bat in the match between the UAE and Australia in a T20 international October 22, 2018 at Zayed Cricket Stadium's Tolerance oval. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Ashfaq Ahmed of the UAE comes out to bat in the match between the UAE and Australia in a T20 international October 22, 2018 at Zayed Cricket Stadium's Tolerance oval. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Moeen Ali of England bats during a nets session at Zayed Cricket Stadium on October 11, 2015 in Abu Dhabi. Getty Images
    Moeen Ali of England bats during a nets session at Zayed Cricket Stadium on October 11, 2015 in Abu Dhabi. Getty Images
  • Sam Billings of England keeps wicket during a nets session at Zayed Cricket Stadium. Getty Images
    Sam Billings of England keeps wicket during a nets session at Zayed Cricket Stadium. Getty Images
  • England captain Alastair Cook bats during a nets session at Zayed Cricket Stadium on October 12, 2015 in Abu Dhabi. Getty Images
    England captain Alastair Cook bats during a nets session at Zayed Cricket Stadium on October 12, 2015 in Abu Dhabi. Getty Images
  • General View of the ICC Academy, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    General View of the ICC Academy, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The UAE cricket team are back at training at the ICC Academy in Dubai after the government have eased restrictions due to Covid-19 coronavirus. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The UAE cricket team are back at training at the ICC Academy in Dubai after the government have eased restrictions due to Covid-19 coronavirus. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Cricket summer camps at ICC Academy. Courtesy ICC Academy
    Cricket summer camps at ICC Academy. Courtesy ICC Academy
  • UAE cricket team trains ahead of tour to Zimbabwe at the ICC Academy in Dubai. Satish Kumar for The National
    UAE cricket team trains ahead of tour to Zimbabwe at the ICC Academy in Dubai. Satish Kumar for The National
  • A purple sky over the ICC Academy in Dubai during a cricket game. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A purple sky over the ICC Academy in Dubai during a cricket game. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Sharjah cricket academy at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Sharjah cricket academy at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The changing rooms at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The changing rooms at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The new swimming pool at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The new swimming pool at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The new gym at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The new gym at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • General view of Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    General view of Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Chris Whiteoak / The National
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
FIGHT CARD

 

1.           Featherweight 66kg

Ben Lucas (AUS) v Ibrahim Kendil (EGY)

2.           Lightweight 70kg

Mohammed Kareem Aljnan (SYR) v Alphonse Besala (CMR)

3.           Welterweight 77kg

Marcos Costa (BRA) v Abdelhakim Wahid (MAR)

4.           Lightweight 70kg

Omar Ramadan (EGY) v Abdimitalipov Atabek (KGZ)

5.           Featherweight 66kg

Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Kagimu Kigga (UGA)

6.           Catchweight 85kg

Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) v Iuri Fraga (BRA)

7.           Featherweight 66kg

Yousef Al Husani (UAE) v Mohamed Allam (EGY)

8.           Catchweight 73kg

Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Abdipatta Abdizhali (KGZ)

9.           Featherweight 66kg

Jaures Dea (CMR) v Andre Pinheiro (BRA)

10.         Catchweight 90kg

Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)

DIVINE%20INTERVENTOIN
%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Elia%20Suleiman%2C%20Manal%20Khader%2C%20Amer%20Daher%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Elia%20Suleiman%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Analysis

Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more

Jebel Ali card

1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,400m

2.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,400m

2.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,000m

3.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,200m

3.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m

4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m

4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m

 

The National selections

1.45pm: Cosmic Glow

2.15pm: Karaginsky

2.45pm: Welcome Surprise

3.15pm: Taamol

3.45pm: Rayig

4.15pm: Chiefdom

4.45pm: California Jumbo

Results:

6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah (PA) | Group 2 | US$55,000 (Dirt) | 1,600 metres

Winner: AF Al Sajanjle, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)

7.05pm: Meydan Sprint (TB) | Group 2 | $250,000 (Turf) | 1,000m

Winner: Blue Point, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

7.40pm: Firebreak Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,600m

Winner: Muntazah, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson

8.15pm: Meydan Trophy Conditions (TB) | $100,000 (T) | 1,900m

Winner: Art Du Val, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

8.50pm: Balanchine Group 2 (TB) | $250,000 (T) | 1,800m

Winner: Poetic Charm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (D) | 1,200m

Winner: Lava Spin, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

10pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,410m

Winner: Mountain Hunter, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor

Five ways to get fit like Craig David (we tried for seven but ran out of time)

Start the week as you mean to go on. So get your training on strong on a Monday.

Train hard, but don’t take it all so seriously that it gets to the point where you’re not having fun and enjoying your friends and your family and going out for nice meals and doing that stuff.

Think about what you’re training or eating a certain way for — don’t, for example, get a six-pack to impress somebody else or lose weight to conform to society’s norms. It’s all nonsense.

Get your priorities right.

And last but not least, you should always, always chill on Sundays.

The biog

Favourite pet: cats. She has two: Eva and Bito

Favourite city: Cape Town, South Africa

Hobby: Running. "I like to think I’m artsy but I’m not".

Favourite move: Romantic comedies, specifically Return to me. "I cry every time".

Favourite spot in Abu Dhabi: Saadiyat beach

Racecard

6.35pm: The Madjani Stakes – Group 2 (PA) Dh97,500 (Dirt) 1,900m 

7.10pm: Evidenza – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,200m 

7.45pm: The Longines Conquest – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 2,000m 

8.20: The Longines Elegant – Conditions (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 

8.35pm: The Dubai Creek Mile – Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 1,600m 

9.30pm: Mirdif Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,400m 

10.05pm: The Longines Record – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,900m  

In numbers

Number of Chinese tourists coming to UAE in 2017 was... 1.3m

Alibaba’s new ‘Tech Town’  in Dubai is worth... $600m

China’s investment in the MIddle East in 2016 was... $29.5bn

The world’s most valuable start-up in 2018, TikTok, is valued at... $75bn

Boost to the UAE economy of 5G connectivity will be... $269bn