Kevin Pietersen could earn a lot of money in the Indian Premier League, according to the competition's commissioner, Lalit Modi.
Kevin Pietersen could earn a lot of money in the Indian Premier League, according to the competition's commissioner, Lalit Modi.
Kevin Pietersen could earn a lot of money in the Indian Premier League, according to the competition's commissioner, Lalit Modi.
Kevin Pietersen could earn a lot of money in the Indian Premier League, according to the competition's commissioner, Lalit Modi.

Pietersen and Flintoff have big potential


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NEW DELHI // Lalit Modi, the commissioner of the Indian Premier League, believes Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff could earn as much as £1million (Dh7.5m) in the Twenty20 competition. But he has repeated his warning that county sides risk being overlooked for the proposed Champions League. Modi also welcomed the growing interest in a rival English Premier League and insists there is enough of a market for both events in the world game.

But it is his admission that the likes of Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen could earn a seven-figure contract with one of the eight IPL franchises which will win the ear of the England and Wales Cricket Board. The Hampshire skipper Dimitri Mascarenhas was the only English representative in the inaugural edition but when asked about the possibility of a million-pound deals for more box-office names, Modi said: "Hypothetically yes, that is a possibility.

"We have salaries at the moment of around £750,000 and £800,000. It depends if a franchise thinks Kevin Pietersen or Andrew Flintoff is worth it," he told Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme. "From what I hear from the franchises, and from us as organisers, we would like representatives from all countries, but there may be timetabling issues. "But we in no way depend on the English players, our league is up and running and we have sponsorship and funding for 10 years."

But after the success of Middlesex in yesterday's Twenty20 Cup final, there were familiar warnings about the forthcoming Champions League. The board's position that no sides using players with Indian Cricket League links would be welcome does not appear to have softened. That could become a problem with the beaten finalists Kent joining Middlesex as England's qualifiers. The 2007 champions have consistently used ICL-connected players such as Azhar Mahmood and Justin Kemp.

Modi reflected: "We hope the ECB will be part of it (the Champions League) but if they are unreasonable or unable to adhere to the rules and regulations of the tournament then it will be unfortunate but they will not be able to participate." Modi also welcomed the decision to re-assert Pakistan's right to host the forthcoming Champions Trophy and trashed rumours that the boards will send second string teams.

"Terrorism is not restricted to Pakistan. It is a global phenomenon," he said. "So far, I am told the matches will go forward and we have all signed contracts that we will put our best teams forward. "If we don't do that, the name of the Champions Trophy will be compromised." * PA Sport

The biog:

From: Wimbledon, London, UK

Education: Medical doctor

Hobbies: Travelling, meeting new people and cultures 

Favourite animals: All of them 

Conflict, drought, famine

Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.

Band Aid

Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
In numbers

Number of Chinese tourists coming to UAE in 2017 was... 1.3m

Alibaba’s new ‘Tech Town’  in Dubai is worth... $600m

China’s investment in the MIddle East in 2016 was... $29.5bn

The world’s most valuable start-up in 2018, TikTok, is valued at... $75bn

Boost to the UAE economy of 5G connectivity will be... $269bn 

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

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The specs

Price: From Dh180,000 (estimate)

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged in-line four-cylinder

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 320hp @ 5,700rpm

Torque: 400Nm @ 2,200rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 9.7L / 100km

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ESSENTIALS

The flights 
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes. 
Where to stay 
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.

Married Malala

Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.

The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.

Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.

UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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