Usman Khan bats during the Emirates D10 match between Fujairah and Sharjah in Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Usman Khan bats during the Emirates D10 match between Fujairah and Sharjah in Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Usman Khan bats during the Emirates D10 match between Fujairah and Sharjah in Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Usman Khan bats during the Emirates D10 match between Fujairah and Sharjah in Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Usman Khan proves his mettle in PSL after making waves in UAE


Paul Radley
  • English
  • Arabic

Usman Khan was just starting to think he had things all figured out.

Cricket in his native Pakistan had not panned out as he had hoped. Now in his mid-20s and with bills to pay, he had left for the UAE for work.

He had found a job in Ajman, with a benevolent, cricket-loving boss who gave him a role in the purchasing department of his gas distribution company.

As much time off to play cricket as he needed, too, so long as he excelled for the staff team, of course.

Maybe a crack at selection for the UAE team if he stays long enough and becomes eligible for selection after three years as a resident.

And why would the national team not want a player who has already scored 18 centuries in UAE's domestic circuit, just seven months after arriving here?

Then, a twist. The right-handed top-order batsman got a call from home to come back and bolster the Quetta Gladiators squad in the PSL.

He warmed the bench for a few games, and then got his chance. And the Multan Sultans bowlers – including internationals like Imran Tahir, Sohail Khan and Carlos Brathwaite – could not live with him.

Now, his professional T20 career record stands at one match played, career average 81, strike rate 162.

Then the PSL was paused because of Covid, and back he headed to UAE. He had one chance to advertise his ability on the biggest scale, and is now back to playing domestic cricket in Sharjah.

What happens next, who knows, but the player himself is just grateful for the faith shown in him by his employers here in UAE.

“I’m stationed in UAE and most of the cricket I play is in UAE, but I got a call to go and play in PSL,” said Usman, who is playing for Fujairah in the Emirates D10.

“Now I am back. I am a permanent resident after I’ve been working for the past seven months with Brothers Gas.

“I had been having some financial issues in Pakistan. The primary reason I came to UAE was to look for a job and make some money. Thankfully, Brothers Gas have really supported me.”

Usman Khan has been scoring heavily in UAE's domestic circuit. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Usman Khan has been scoring heavily in UAE's domestic circuit. Chris Whiteoak / The National

When the PSL returns later this year, Usman plans to be there and to pick up where he left off. He has had a taste of the big time, which he wants to repeat.

“I’m in the UAE and my plans are to play for UAE as well, but I do hope to get a release letter from the game here once cricket starts again in Pakistan,” Usman said.

“When I was playing in the PSL, I was just focused on watching the ball. I didn’t feel any pressure as I had been waiting for this opportunity.

“Once I got my chance, I wanted to play to the best of my potential. I think I showed that, by making 81 runs.

“Thanks to Allah, hopefully I will be able to play more such knocks in the future.”

Tahir Hasan, the general manager of Brothers Gas, knows he has found a “sensation” for his staff cricket team.

And if he now loses him to higher honours in Pakistan, he says no-one will be more delighted than him.

“I’m a passionate cricket person, and started my club 11 years ago playing on cement grounds,” Tahir said.

“We want to give chances to our own players, those who want to play cricket, work, and earn a livelihood.

“I look for people who want to build their career professionally, and enjoy cricket at the same time.”

Usman was recommended to Tahir as a player who had been excelling in club cricket in Karachi.

“I contacted him and he was ready to come and join my club and my company,” Tahir said.

“He has played some good tournaments here, and in no time, he became a sensation.

“Any talent like that should be recognised. It will be good if the Pakistan Cricket Board acknowledges him and his performances, and give him a chance to play even further.

“Inshallah, he could even play for his country. That is what we pray for him.

“I love people having success, and if they can go on and do something big in their life, that is all the reward I need.”

Bombshell

Director: Jay Roach

Stars: Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie 

Four out of five stars 

First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus 

How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

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The specs

Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8

Transmission: Eight-speed auto

Power: 575bhp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: Dh554,000

On sale: now

The specs

Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre

Power: 325hp

Torque: 500Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh189,700

On sale: now

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

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Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

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Available: Now

The Indoor Cricket World Cup

When: September 16-23

Where: Insportz, Dubai

Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23

UAE fixtures:
Men

Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final

Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final

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Turning%20waste%20into%20fuel
%3Cp%3EAverage%20amount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20at%20DIC%20factory%20every%20month%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EApproximately%20106%2C000%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAmount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20from%201%20litre%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%20%3Cstrong%3E920ml%20(92%25)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETime%20required%20for%20one%20full%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%20used%20cooking%20oil%20to%20biofuel%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EOne%20day%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EEnergy%20requirements%20for%20one%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%201%2C000%20litres%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%96%AA%20Electricity%20-%201.1904%20units%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Water-%2031%20litres%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Diesel%20%E2%80%93%2026.275%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog

Name: Atheja Ali Busaibah

Date of birth: 15 November, 1951

Favourite books: Ihsan Abdel Quddous books, such as “The Sun will Never Set”

Hobbies: Reading and writing poetry

The specs: 2018 Bentley Bentayga V8

Price, base: Dh853,226

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Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 550hp @ 6,000pm

Torque: 770Nm @ 1,960rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 11.4L / 100km

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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

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Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills