Qadeer Ahmed has urged other players to learn from his mistakes after he was handed a five-year ban from cricket that will likely end his career.
The former UAE fast bowler will be ineligible to play again until 2024, after accepting six charges of breaching cricket’s anti-corruption code.
His offences ranged from failing to report corrupt approaches, disclosing inside information, and obstructing the ICC’s investigation.
He was provisionally suspended in October 2019, along with his teammates Mohammed Naveed and Shaiman Anwar, each of whom was banned for corruption for eight years in a separate case earlier this year.
According to the ICC report into the case, Qadeer had fail to report an offer of Dh60,000 to Dh70,000 to “do bad bowling” in the UAE’s one-day international series in Zimbabwe in April 2019.
"In particular, they asked him to give away 70/80 runs while bowling," the report stated.
In the three matches he played in that series, Qadeer had figures of 1-57, 0-42, and 1-16.
The report said he remained in contact with one of the corruptors, whom he regarded as a friend, and provided inside information in relation to the UAE’s series in the Netherlands in August 2019.
The information related to which overs he would bowl against the Netherlands, and was offered “in circumstances where he knew that the information might be used for betting purposes,” according to the report.
The UAE side of the time, captained by Naveed, had a regimented game plan which meant the bowlers generally had a good idea of which overs they would bowl before the innings started.
Qadeer maintains he has never conspired to fix any aspects of matches, but acknowledged his actions were wrong.
I never took a single dirham and I never bowled any illegal ball in my career
"I never took a single dirham and I never bowled any illegal ball in my career," Qadeer told The National.
“But, I am sorry and gutted that, as per the ACU rules, I was wrong on different occasions.
“I should have informed them of whatever was happening around me, and should have informed them about approaches.
"I would like to encourage cricketers to please report the small things, even if they think it's not important.
“I know now nothing can be done, so I accept what my punishment is.”
Alex Marshall, the ICC’s head of integrity, said the five-year suspension reflected the seriousness of the charges.
“Qadeer [Ahmed] is an experienced international cricketer who has received anti-corruption training,” Marshall said.
“He should have avoided the people he knew were corrupt and reported any suspicions immediately.
“He has accepted he did wrong and requested an agreed sanction in place of a tribunal. His five-year period of ineligibility is a reflection of the seriousness of his breaches and the number of charges.
“He has accepted responsibility for his actions and expressed regret for those he has let down.”
Two more UAE players, opener Ashfaq Ahmed and fast-bowler Amir Hayat, are also awaiting judgement in their own cases after being charged with breaching anti-corruption rules.
Furthermore, in announcing the ban for Qadeer, the ICC have also added supplementary charges to those of Mehardeep Chhayakar.
When Naveed, Shaiman and Qadeer were provisionally suspended 18 months ago, Chhayakar was also charged with a number of offences.
In the intervening time, it is understood Chhayakar has been uncontactable by the ICC, which includes the investigators writing to his mother.
Described as having “played domestic cricket in Ajman,” he now faces six charges of breaching cricket’s ant-corruption code.
The ICC laid the charges on its own behalf as well as on behalf of Cricket Canada, related to the Global T20 tournament in 2019.
Chhayakar’s alleged offences include attempting to contrive to fix aspects of the Zimbabwe v UAE series in 2019, as well as the T20 tournament in Canada, and failing to cooperate with the ICC investigation.
The banned UAE players
Mohammed Naveed
- Role: Former captain and fast bowler
- Charges: He was found guilty of two breaches of anti-corruption rules. They included "being party to an agreement fix or influence improperly" matches at the T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019
- Ban: Eight years
Shaiman Anwar
- Role: Top-order batsman
- Charges: Like Naveed, he was found guilty of two charges, including conspiring to fix aspects of matches at the T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019 in the UAE
- Ban: Eight years
Qadeer Ahmed
- Role: Fast bowler
- Charges: six counts of breaching cricket's anti-corruption code, including disclosing inside information that might have been used for betting purposes, and obstructing the investigation
- Ban: Five years
Euro 2020
Group A: Italy, Switzerland, Wales, Turkey
Group B: Belgium, Russia, Denmark, Finland
Group C: Netherlands, Ukraine, Austria,
Georgia/Kosovo/Belarus/North Macedonia
Group D: England, Croatia, Czech Republic,
Scotland/Israel/Norway/Serbia
Group E: Spain, Poland, Sweden,
N.Ireland/Bosnia/Slovakia/Ireland
Group F: Germany, France, Portugal,
Iceland/Romania/Bulgaria/Hungary
Sreesanth's India bowling career
Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40
ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55
T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
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Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
The Africa Institute 101
Housed on the same site as the original Africa Hall, which first hosted an Arab-African Symposium in 1976, the newly renovated building will be home to a think tank and postgraduate studies hub (it will offer master’s and PhD programmes). The centre will focus on both the historical and contemporary links between Africa and the Gulf, and will serve as a meeting place for conferences, symposia, lectures, film screenings, plays, musical performances and more. In fact, today it is hosting a symposium – 5-plus-1: Rethinking Abstraction that will look at the six decades of Frank Bowling’s career, as well as those of his contemporaries that invested social, cultural and personal meaning into abstraction.
The specs
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Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')
Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')
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The bio
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France
Favourite pastime: Family and friends, meditation, discovering new cuisines
Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.
Favourite Author: My father for sure
Favourite Artist: Damien Hurst
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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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Groom and Two Brides
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Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 540hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 2,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Kerb weight: 1580kg
Price: From Dh750k
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- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
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Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
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25 Evacuation of injured and sick
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War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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