Pakistan Super League organisers remain hopeful the tournament can be played to a conclusion in Abu Dhabi this month, even though a number of logistical issues still need to be solved.
The Pakistan Cricket Board met with owners of the six franchises online on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of restarting the competition on June 7.
The PCB have put back the departure of the national team players for their tour of the UK to June 25, rather than June 23, in a bid to complete the PSL season.
The final of the tournament is now earmarked for Thursday, June 24, rather than June 20 as planned.
However, the restart date appears to be dependent on the availability of 16 production company crew, who are in isolation in Dubai.
According to the organisers, the National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority will “decide on Wednesday afternoon if they will grant exemptions to 16 production crew to work in Abu Dhabi from June 5 to make a June 7 start possible”.
The seven-day isolation for those who arrived on charter flights from Karachi and Lahore – which constitutes the majority of tournament personnel – ends on Wednesday afternoon.
Sarfaraz Ahmed, meanwhile, is among six players whose arrival in the UAE was initially delayed, but has now made it to the capital.
Twenty matches are still to be played, after the competition was suspended at the start of March due to a number of positive Covid cases within the teams.
The remaining fixtures were rescheduled for June, and relocated to the UAE capital because of the Covid situation back in Pakistan.
Despite the challenges, the teams remain focused on pressing ahead with preparations for the restart.
Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars will be the first sides to train at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, on Wednesday evening.
There has also been a personnel change for Multan Sultans, with Blessing Muzarabani, the fast bowler who excelled in international matches for Zimbabwe against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi earlier this year, replacing Obed McCoy of West Indies.
At the point the tournament paused back in March, four teams were tied on six points at the top of the table.
Karachi Kings lead the standings on net run rate, ahead of Peshawar Zalmi, Islamabad and Lahore.
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11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi
Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)
Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)
Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)
Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).
Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)
Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)
Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)
Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)
Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia
Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)
Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)
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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
