DUBAI // Three UAE players have been entered into the draft for the 2017 Pakistan Super League.
Ahmed Raza, Rohan Mustafa and Mohammed Naveed have been listed as silver category recruits for the competition, which is pencilled in to take place in the UAE again in February. The selection process is set to take place in Dubai on October 17 and 18.
The trio of national team players still have their work cut out to be selected by any of the five franchises.
They are listed amongst a band of players that includes the likes of Ben Duckett, the exciting new England batsman, Sami Aslam, the Pakistan Test opener, and Saeed Ajmal.
If any of them were to be picked, they would be the first from the UAE to earn a deal in one of the world’s leading Twenty20 leagues.
One UAE player, the batsman Shaiman Anwar, made it onto the draft for this year’s first PSL, but he went unsold.
“To be in the draft for a big T20 for the first time is quite something, but I think it will be about luck now to be picked in the final auction,” said Raza, the left-arm spinner.
“If people follow UAE cricket, maybe we do stand a chance somewhere, but the fact we are from here might count against us as we are competing against big-name players.
“They are well known because their series, wherever they play, are televised. For us, we have a maximum of one event per year where we can showcase our skills. That is one per cent of what they play.
“That is the reason we don’t play in the T20 leagues, or even make the draft more often than not. But at least it is a good sign we are there.”
Naveed, the fast bowler, had been thought to be certain of a place at Lahore Qalandars, after Aaqib Javed left his role as UAE head coach to become director of the PSL franchise.
Aaqib spoke in glowing terms about his protege, during and after his time in charge here.
Naveed, the leader of the UAE pace attack, said Aaqib suggested he would be back to recruit him, but fears interest has cooled.
Aaqib has since undertaken a massive-scale talent hunt, which he says took in as many as 110,000 trialists. Most famously, he has picked up an ambidextrous fast bowler, named Yasir Jan. Brendon McCullum has also been announced as the new Qalandars captain.
As such, the likelihood of there being space in the 20-man squad for Naveed, who is relatively untested at the top level, despite strong performances at the World Cup last year and the Asia Cup T20 in March, seem increasingly remote.
“My name is in the draft, but I don’t know if I will be selected or not,” Naveed said. “It is very difficult, but my performances have been good, so I am hoping.”
pradley@thenational.ae
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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
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Name: Mamo Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua Based: Dubai, UAE Number of employees: 28 Sector: Financial services Investment: $9.5m Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors. The specs
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