Waqar Younis, the Pakistan coach, said his side will go all out to secure a 2-0 sweep of Ireland today in their one-day international series (ODI) in Belfast.
Pakistan claimed a seven-wicket win in the opener at Stormont after bowling Ireland out for just 96. It was an unexpectedly easy win in a game that had loomed as a potential banana skin for Pakistan.
Waqar had been wary of an ever-improving Irish side in their home conditions, especially after Pakistan had just arrived from their testing tour of the Caribbean.
But Junaid Khan led a rout with career-best figures of four for 12 in his sixth ODI. It was an impressive display from the 21-year-old bowler, who had taken only three one-day wickets before yesterday, and on the back of it Waqar could be excused for turning to his young players for the final game of a long tour.
Pakistan have lived out of hotels since the World Cup in March, but Waqar has pledged to select a near full-strength team as he aims to finish on a high. "We are not going to throw all the youngsters in and say, 'Because it is Ireland we can take it easy'," he said.
Ireland's veteran all-rounder Trent Johnston acknowledged his team's hopes of playing in the next World Cup could suffer in perception if they lose again today.
"It is important we put in a performance because Ireland and the next World Cup are in the limelight right now," he said.
"It is a part of the talk around cricket right now. It is on the tips of people's tongues that the Associates and Ireland should be allowed a qualification process.
"Because of that we really need to keep the fire burning and produce a performance against Pakistan.
"We know it is not the be all and end all, because we have been consistent in our performances for a while now and think we deserve a chance."
Ireland have lacked any of the defiance that earned them praise, and a memorable upset of England, at this year's World Cup.
They had high hopes of claiming an upset in the series to boost their chances of convincing the International Cricket Council (ICC) to reverse a decision to omit the Associate countries from the next World Cup in 2015.
The ICC's chief executives' committee is due to discuss the possibility of introducing a qualification system for the World Cup at a meeting next month.
Today's game will therefore be Ireland's last chance to prove their credentials.
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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
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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