Ravindra Jadeja forced his way back in to India’s World Cup plans with a match-winning performance with the ball in a seven-wicket win against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup.
The left-arm spinner had only been called in to the squad as an injury replacement a day earlier, in a switch that saw India swap three players in one go.
Jadeja went straight into the starting XI, too, as a direct replacement for Hardik Pandya, who had suffered a back injury while bowling against Pakistan on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old spinner has barely featured in one-day cricket for India since they lost the 2017 Champions Trophy final to Pakistan.
_____________
Listen to The Cricket Pod
_____________
Despite being the No 4 ranked bowler in the world in Test cricket, he has played just two ODIs, on tour in West Indies, since that final loss to their great rivals last summer.
Instead of Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, India have generally backed the young wrist-spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, with a fair degree of success.
But Jadeja out-bowled each of them on his return to the starting XI. He took four for 29 from 10 probing overs, to put the brakes on Bangladesh.
The fact Bangladesh even made it to 173 was largely down to a late flurry from Mehidy Hasan, who top scored with 42 from No 9 in the batting order.
Not that it made much difference. The chase was a cakewalk for a top-order that has somehow arrived after their challenging tour of England in fine working order.
In three matches so far of the Asia Cup, Hong Kong, the unheralded qualifiers from beyond the mainstream, are the only side to have given India any sort of game at all.
Even with the likes of experienced limited-overs stars like Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan in their ranks, Bangladesh’s bowling was limp against India’s openers.
Shikhar Dhawan, who earlier took four catches in the Bangladesh innings, struck a brisk 40 – which represented his worst return so far of a productive tournament.
At the other end, his opening partner Rohit Sharma continued where he left off against Pakistan. The captain struck 83 not out, to add another half-century to the one he made on Wednesday.
It was an impressive Friday afternoon crowd that flocked to Dubai International Stadium, close to its 25,000 capacity.
Although the game was not close, at least the supporters were treated to an MS Dhoni cameo. The former India captain arrived with the game all but won, and still had time to share in a stand worth 64 with Rohit, making 33 of them himself.
India will all but confirm their place in Friday's final if they beat Pakistan against in Dubai on Sunday.
___________
Read more
India look like title contenders again, but Asian cricket landscape changing
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
___________
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.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm
Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Top speed: 250kph
Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: Dh146,999
Cinco in numbers
Dh3.7 million
The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown
46
The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.
1,000
The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]
50
How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday
3,000
The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
1.1 million
The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.
ICC Intercontinental Cup
UAE squad Rohan Mustafa (captain), Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Saqlain Haider, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Naveed, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Boota, Amir Hayat, Ashfaq Ahmed
Fixtures Nov 29-Dec 2
UAE v Afghanistan, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Hong Kong v Papua New Guinea, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Ireland v Scotland, Dubai International Stadium
Namibia v Netherlands, ICC Academy, Dubai
Januzaj's club record
Manchester United 50 appearances, 5 goals
Borussia Dortmund (loan) 6 appearances, 0 goals
Sunderland (loan) 25 appearances, 0 goals
