ABU DHABI // A four-member security review team from Australia inspected the Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi yesterday ahead of the country's series with Pakistan comprising five one-day internationals and a twenty20 match next month.
The capital, along with Dubai, has been lined up to host Pakistan's home series since the UAE is considered a safe alternate venue. While the visit was scheduled in advance and part of routine procedure adopted by Cricket Australia (CA), the visit gained significance in the wake of Tuesday's attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore.
Among the officials were the Australian team manager Steve Bernard, who arrived from South Africa where the team are battling for the top spot in the world rankings with the Proteas.
Representing the Pakistan Cricket Board were Zakir Khan, the director of operations, and Aaquib Javed, the team's bowling coach.
They will visit the Dubai Sports City, the other venue, today.
"They [the contingent] had a meeting with our security consultants and were reasonably happy. We have been following the security manual provided by the International Cricket Council very seriously from the beginning," said Dilawar Mani, the president of the Abu Dhabi Cricket Council.
With the Lahore attack on the Sri Lankan team happening on route from the hotel to the stadium, extra focus was on all aspects besides the stadium and the adjoining cricket academy, where the teams normally practice on arrival.
"They met with the security officials of the designated team hotel and the staff as well and studied the approach points to the stadium. They didn't indicate any shortcomings but should they have any, I am sure they will get back to us," Mani said.
Meanwhile, in Durban, the openers Phillip Hughes (115) and Simon Katich (108) provided a solid start with attacking centuries on the opening day of the second Test against South Africa.
After the opening stand, the Proteas dismissed captain Ricky Ponting and his deputy, Michael Clarke, early but Michael Hussey and Marcus North saw through to stumps as Australia closed the day on 303-4.
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House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
West Asia rugby, season 2017/18 - Roll of Honour
Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Key recommendations
- Fewer criminals put behind bars and more to serve sentences in the community, with short sentences scrapped and many inmates released earlier
- Greater use of curfews and exclusion zones to deliver tougher supervision than ever on criminals.
- Explore wider powers for judges to punish offenders by blocking them from attending football matches, banning them from driving or travelling abroad through an expansion of ‘ancillary orders’.
- More Intensive Supervision Courts to tackle the root causes of crime such as alcohol and drug abuse – forcing repeat offenders to take part in tough treatment programmes or face prison.
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
