Rising Pune Supergiant claimed the last spot in the Indian Premier League play-offs with ease on Sunday as they thrashed Kings XI Punjab by nine wickets.
The scenario had been simple for both sides going into the match on the final day of the league part of the campaign. Whoever won would join Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders in the knockout stages.
It was Pune who stepped up when it mattered as Punhjab crumbled with the bat, bowled out for 73 in 15.5 overs after being put in by the hosts, and they won with eight overs to spare on 74-1, with Ajinkya Rahane (34 not out) and captain Steve Smith (15 not out) seeing them home.
Pune’s reward for their victory is taking second spot in the final standings and earning a place in Tuesday’s Qualifier 1 match against league winners and 2015 champions Mumbai Indians.
Whoever prevails in that match will take a spot in next Sunday’s final in Hyderabad.
The loser will get a second chance to reach the final in the Qualifier 2 match on Friday in Bangalore.
They will face the winner of Wednesday’s Eliminator match, also in Bangalore, between last year’s champions Hyderabad, and the 2012 and 2014 victors Kolkata.
In yesterday’s other match, a dead rubber, Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Delhi Daredevils by 10 runs. It was only Bangalore’s third victory from 14 matches.
* The National staff
Indian Premier League play-off fixtures
All matches at 6.30pm (UAE)
Tuesday
• Qualifier 1: Mumbai Indians v Rising Pune Supergiant
Wednesday
• Eliminator: Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kolkata Knight Riders
Friday
• Qualifier 2: Loser Q1 v Eliminator winner
Sunday
• Final: Winner Q1 v Q2
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SPECS
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2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
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Always use only regulated platforms
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Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
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How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
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Dust storm
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Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
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Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
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TOURNAMENT INFO
Fixtures
Sunday January 5 - Oman v UAE
Monday January 6 - UAE v Namibia
Wednesday January 8 - Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid, Darius D’Silva, Karthik Meiyappan, Jonathan Figy, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Chirag Suri
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
