PSL 2021 final as it happened: Multan Sultans crush Peshawar Zalmi to lift title

One hundred and 24 days since this competition started, and 1,260kms away, the storied 2021 HBL Pakistan Super League reached its conclusion in Abu Dhabi, with Multan Sultans winning the title by 47 runs.

Batting first, Multan posted a mammoth score of 206-4 with Rilee Rossouw and Sohaib Maqsood hitting fifties against Peshawar Zalmi.

In the chase, Peshawar never got going. Leg-spinner Imran Tahir was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-33 as Zalmi were restricted to 159-9.

A tournament which was so heavily disrupted by Covid-related issues had one more such controversy, on its last day.

Peshawar Zalmi received unfortunate news on the afternoon of the game, when it was announced two of their players had been suspended because of Covid protocol breaches.

Umaid Asif and Haider Ali were unavailable for selection, having met with people outside their designated bio-secure bubble on Wednesday.

But the night belonged to Multan. When the season broke for its Covid-enforced hiatus at the start of March, they were joint bottom of the table, having won just one match.

They lost a raft of players in the intermission, and had to scour the globe for reinforcements.

And yet they arrived in Abu Dhabi as a side reborn. They won every match since getting to the UAE capital, and their victory in the final against Peshawar was never in doubt.

A special mention here, too, for Andy Flower, who might be in the throes of revolutionising short-format cricket, with all the number crunching and codes, etc.

The coach has a special affinity with this ground, too. This PSL win with Multan is his second big title in competition at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. He was in charge of Maratha Arabians when they won the Abu Dhabi T10 two seasons ago, too.

Follow how the match unfolded in our blog below.

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

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SQUADS

UAE
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Mohamed Usman (vice-captain), Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Imran Haider, Tahir Mughal, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed, Fahad Nawaz, Abdul Shakoor, Sultan Ahmed, CP Rizwan

Nepal
Paras Khadka (captain), Gyanendra Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Pradeep Airee, Binod Bhandari, Avinash Bohara, Sundeep Jora, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Rohit Paudel, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Basant Regmi, Pawan Sarraf, Bhim Sharki, Aarif Sheikh