Khurram Khan, the UAE captain, is already dreaming of playing in Bangladesh in next year’s ICC World Twenty20 Cup.
Fifteen teams will arrive in the Emirates this week to join the hosts in the World T20 Qualifier, which runs from November 15 to 30.
The tournament, which offers six qualifying spots in the World T20 field, will be played across six venues in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.
The UAE are in Group A, with Ireland, Namibia, Canada, Uganda, United States, Italy and Hong Kong.
“It would be a dream come true to qualify for the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh next year,” Khurram said.
“All the hard work that we have put in would have paid off, and with people’s perception of cricket in the UAE forever changing, it would really be the icing on the cake.”
The UAE have had a busy year preparing for the event.
“We’ve been playing non-stop since we finished our tour of Canada in August,” he said. “We have already started regular sessions in the last four or five months to help us prepare for this tournament.
“We’ve played against all the teams in our group and they know our strengths, and that means I think it will be a close contest.”
Though the UAE would be expected to secure one of the qualifying spots, Khurram thinks the shortest format of the game is the most unpredictable.
“That means you can’t write off any team,” he said. “We simply have to play our best cricket.
“Home conditions may not be as big an advantage for us, as most of the teams, if not all of them, have played here before and know the conditions the UAE has to offer.”
The UAE begin open against Uganda on November 15 at Abu Dhabi Oval 1. The final will be in Dubai on November 30.
apassela@thenational.ae
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHigh%20fever%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIntense%20pain%20behind%20your%20eyes%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESevere%20headache%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENausea%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EVomiting%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESwollen%20glands%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERash%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIf%20symptoms%20occur%2C%20they%20usually%20last%20for%20two-seven%20days%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Samaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
The Intruder
Director: Deon Taylor
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Michael Ealy, Meagan Good
One star
THE SPECS
Jaguar F-Pace SVR
Engine: 5-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 680Nm
Price: Dh465,071
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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