The UAE announced their squad on Wednesday for the Intercontinental Cup fixture in Ireland. The first-round match, which will take place from June 2 to 5, is the national team's first assignment since they returned from the World Cup.
Tauqir’s renaissance
Mohammed Tauqir’s remarkable renaissance as an international cricketer will continue after he retained the captaincy. The winners of the tournament, which is four-day cricket, get to face the lowest-ranked full-member nation in the 2018 Test Challenge.
Long twilight
Tauqir, 43, made his return to international cricket at the World Cup after two years away, primarily so there was some Emirati talent in the side. It was not a temporary measure, though, and he is set to play on, having had his love for the game revived by the trip to Australia and New Zealand.
Dad’s Army
The World Cup was assumed to be the swansong for the core of veteran players who have been the backbone of the national team for the past decade. However, each of them has decided to shelve retirement plans, and each is in the squad to tour Ireland. Khurram Khan, who was replaced as captain by Tauqir, will play on at 43. Saqib Ali, who turned 37 last month, is restored to the squad having missed the World Cup, as is Mohammed Shahzad, who is 35.
Professional commitment
This is going to be the busiest year for the UAE’s players. Following on from the two months they set aside for the World Cup in February and March, the Intercontinental Cup tour to Ireland is preceded by a three-day friendly against Scotland in England. There are also World Cricket League matches against Kenya to follow, as well as the three-week World Twenty20 qualifier in July. It seems like a professional’s workload, so it is a wonder what their employers at their day jobs will make of it.
Test incentive
Nominally, there is the prize of playing Test cricket on offer for the winners of the Intercontinental Cup, with the side that wins the round-robin league playing the bottom-ranked Test team in 2018. “The ICC Intercontinental Cup is now the platform for emerging nations to fulfil their ambitions of playing Test cricket,” said David Richardson, the ICC chief executive.
The squad
Mohammed Tauqir (captain), Ahmed Raza, Amjad Ali, Amjad Javed, Asif Iqbal, Khurram Khan, Manjula Guruge, Mohammed Shahzad, Mohammed Naveed, Saqib Ali, Shaiman Anwar, Swapnil Patil, Chirag Suri, Fayyaz Ahmed
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Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Company%20Profile
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THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
Company Profile
Founders: Tamara Hachem and Yazid Erman
Based: Dubai
Launched: September 2019
Sector: health technology
Stage: seed
Investors: Oman Technology Fund, angel investor and grants from Sharjah's Sheraa and Ma'an Abu Dhabi
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
The essentials
What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: Friday until March 9
Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.
Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.
Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Roll of honour: Who won what in 2018/19?
West Asia Premiership: Winners – Bahrain; Runners-up – Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership: Winners – Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners-up – Jebel Ali Dragons
Dubai Rugby Sevens: Winners – Dubai Hurricanes; Runners-up – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Conference: Winners – Dubai Tigers; Runners-up – Al Ain Amblers
if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
FA Cup quarter-final draw
The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Newcastle v Manchester City
Norwich v Derby/Manchester United
Leicester City v Chelsea
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GAC GS8 Specs
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Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
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