LAHORE // Pakistan’s fast-rising wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed vowed to take the new-look side to the next level after his elevation to the one-day and Twenty20 vice-captaincy.
Under new one-day captain Azhar Ali, Pakistan hope for a fresh start when they start their Bangladesh tour next week following the retirement of stalwarts Misbah-ul-Haq and Shahid Afridi from 50-over cricket.
“I take my appointment as vice-captain as a good opportunity and an honour,” Sarfraz said in Lahore. “Azhar is a good friend of mine and together we will take the team forward.”
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Sarfraz, 27, was one of Pakistan’s key performers in their World Cup campaign, hitting an attractive 49 and equalling the ODI world record of six catches behind the stumps against South Africa in Auckland.
He then hit Pakistan’s only World Cup hundred — against Ireland — to help them through to the quarter-finals, where they lost to Australia.
He was surprisingly not played in the first four matches, a ploy widely criticised in Pakistani media.
Misbah and Afridi, who between them clocked up 560 ODIs, retired from the format after the World Cup, but Sarfraz backed younger players to take their place.
“They were the backbones of the team, but I am sure the players who replace them will do their best to fill their places,” Sarfraz said.
Sarfraz also said that Bangladesh will not be taken lightly.
“Bangladesh has been performing well,” he said of the team who beat higher-ranked England to reach the quarter-finals, where they lost to India.
“They always play well at home so we will not take them lightly and give our best performance.”
Pakistan will fly out on Monday and play the first of three one-dayers in Dhaka on April 17. They also face Bangladesh in a Twenty20 and two Tests.
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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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Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
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What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
