Pakistan cricket is going though a trying phase following changes in management and leadership.
If Pakistan thought the World Cup was tough, they were in for a rude shock during the home T20 series against a heavily depleted Sri Lankan side that they ended up losing 3-0 last month. The No 1 side in T20 cricket lost badly to a replacement side after many top Sri Lankan players refused to tour the country.
Chief selector and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq rang in the changes, with the under-performing Sarfaraz Ahmed sacked as captain. Now they have new leaders in place with star batsman Babar Azam captaining the T20 side and Azhar Ali taking charge of the Test team.
The first assignment for Babar and Azhar is a full tour of Australia comprising of three T20s and two Tests.
The tour begins with a T20 in Sydney on Sunday, which means Babar will be the first to step into the unknown. And it is going to be a mighty challenge.
The men in green are the top-ranked side in the 20-over format but their shock defeat to a weakened Sri Lankan side has seen them lose ground. Pakistan have 274 ranking points, just eight more than second-placed England and 12 more than Australia, who are in fourth.
If the Aussies sweep the series 3-0, Pakistan will lose their T20 crown.
It will be a cruel way for Babar to start life as captain but that seems a definite possibility after the Aussies thrashed the same Pakistan-conquering Sri Lankan side 3-0 this week.
However, this hasn't stopped the Pakistan management from picking young players. Teen fast bowlers Musa Khan (T20 and Tests) and Naseem Shah (Tests only) will be taking on the likes of Steve Smith and David Warner in their first assignments over the next few weeks. The visiting batsmen will have to contend with pace demons Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and co. for a month.
How Babar and his team start on Sunday will show whether the Sri Lanka defeat was a one-off or a sign of things to come. If Pakistan do manage to preserve their top ranking and even win the T20 encounter, Azhar and his Test side will feel slightly better.
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
Other key dates
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Finals draw: December 2
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Finals (including semi-finals and third-placed game): June 5–9, 2019
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Euro 2020 play-off draw: November 22, 2019
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Euro 2020 play-offs: March 26–31, 2020
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
