DHAKA // Another day, another mass of fans won by the UAE’s cricketers. An elusive win against one of the sport’s elite remains tantalisingly out of reach for now, though.
Just as they had in their opening match of the Asia Cup, the UAE national team crumbled against some acclaimed pace bowlers when a shock win had seemed within their grasp.
They fell to a 51-run defeat to Bangladesh, and again, the pervading feeling was one of a chance at history lost.
For the second time in successive nights at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, the UAE were little short of heroic during their spell in the field.
It was less than 24 hours since they had pushed Sri Lanka so close in their first Asia Cup fixture in eight years.
Read more from Paul Radley:
Defeat to Bangladesh leaves UAE with mission improbable at Asia Cup as India and Pakistan await
UAE captain Amjad Javed says team can still cause an upset at Asia Cup after letting Sri Lanka off the hook
Far from being downhearted at a golden opportunity missed, the national team appeared emboldened by the 14-run loss the previous night, just as Amjad Javed, the captain, said they would be.
Mohammed Naveed, the UBL accounts clerk who is the UAE’s leading pace bowler, has adored the adulation Dhaka’s crowds have given him over the past week. They like a hero, he says, and he is happy to play the role.
This time the entire stadium was against him, but even then they had to appreciate his work, so exquisite was it.
Naveed’s four overs went for just 12 runs. His wicket maiden in the 13th over was the centre piece of Bangladesh’s asphyxiation in the middle overs.
In 14 overs between the end of the fifth and the start of the last, the UAE took seven for 75. It was gripping stuff, and reached the point where a packed Friday crowd, which had begun as a rowdy friendly, only occasionally broke silence to shout for their players to hurry up.
Ahmed Raza was outstanding, too. The vice captain is wicketless so far in the competition, yet his eight overs have cost just 31 runs.
Once they had been held to 133 for eight - precisely four runs more than Sri Lanka managed - Bangladesh appeared to know just what was required with the ball.
Chandika Hathurusinghe, who started his coaching career in the UAE a decade back, has enjoyed great success since taking up a similar role with Bangladesh two years ago.
Part of his masterplan has been to alter the team’s bowling attack from one that relies on spin to one which favours pace.
They might not have the renown of Lasith Malinga, who did for the UAE in their opener, but Bangladesh’s thriving pace battery were far too good for the national team’s top order here, too.
Mustafizur Rahman suggested he is back fit and firing after missing the trip to Dubai for the Pakistan Super League because of injury. He took two for 13 from his four overs.
Mashrafe Mortaza, the home captain, managed two for 12 off three overs, while Mahmadullah added two for five to his earlier 36 not out with the bat.
Mohammed Usman fought a lone battle, top scoring with 30, but the UAE ended well short of both their target and even the allocation of overs, as they were bowled out for 82 in 17.4 overs.
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If you go…
Emirates launched a new daily service to Mexico City this week, flying via Barcelona from Dh3,995.
Emirati citizens are among 67 nationalities who do not require a visa to Mexico. Entry is granted on arrival for stays of up to 180 days.
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
Top financial tips for graduates
Araminta Robertson, of the Financially Mint blog, shares her financial advice for university leavers:
1. Build digital or technical skills: After graduation, people can find it extremely hard to find jobs. From programming to digital marketing, your early twenties are for building skills. Future employers will want people with tech skills.
2. Side hustle: At 16, I lived in a village and started teaching online, as well as doing work as a virtual assistant and marketer. There are six skills you can use online: translation; teaching; programming; digital marketing; design and writing. If you master two, you’ll always be able to make money.
3. Networking: Knowing how to make connections is extremely useful. Use LinkedIn to find people who have the job you want, connect and ask to meet for coffee. Ask how they did it and if they know anyone who can help you. I secured quite a few clients this way.
4. Pay yourself first: The minute you receive any income, put about 15 per cent aside into a savings account you won’t touch, to go towards your emergency fund or to start investing. I do 20 per cent. It helped me start saving immediately.
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
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Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
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Rating: 4/5
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Zayed Sustainability Prize
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Valladolid v Osasuna (Kick-off midnight UAE)
Saturday Valencia v Athletic Bilbao (5pm), Getafe v Sevilla (7.15pm), Huesca v Alaves (9.30pm), Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (midnight)
Sunday Real Sociedad v Eibar (5pm), Real Betis v Villarreal (7.15pm), Elche v Granada (9.30pm), Barcelona v Levante (midnight)
Monday Celta Vigo v Cadiz (midnight)
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Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
