KARACHI // The UAE could soon have full one-day international status, according to the newly appointed chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Nasim Ashraf.
The Emirates are ranked outside of cricket's one-day elite, meaning they rarely get a chance to test themselves against the best.
However, that could change after Ashraf, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, succeeded Arjuna Ranatunga as the ACC chief on Sunday. He says he plans to use his two-year tenure to lobby for one more country within the powerful Asian bloc to be granted full one-day status.
"We are expecting that in the next two years hopefully one more team from Asia will get one-day status," said Ashraf at the annual general meeting of the ACC in Karachi. "There are several emerging cricket countries in Asia. The United Arab Emirates and Oman have good outfits. Our focus is to further strengthen Asian Cricket with no political motives."
Emirates cricket chiefs have hailed the news as a major boost for the game in the country. "It is definitely very exciting," said Mazhar Khan, the administrator of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB). "The ACC is doing its best to support all its members. As our development continues, the aim is for there to be one more full one-day international/Test side.
"When we hear things like that, and that the Asia Cup will be staged in an Associate country in 2010, that is a big boost for us. He [Ashraf] is well aware of the standard of facilities we have to offer."
The UAE are the most successful non-Test playing nation in Asia. They qualified for the World Cup in 1996, and have won the ACC Trophy, the competition for the elite Associate nations on the continent, every time they have entered.
That has afforded them entry to the past two Asia Cup tournaments, where they were pitted against the big four Asia Test sides - India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
@Email:pradley@thenational.ae
Key developments in maritime dispute
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
The biog
Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
The years Ramadan fell in May
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
