DUBAI // Four years after discovering a teenage bowling sensation, the former Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram yesterday spoke of that player’s fall.
Akram saw Mohammed Amir, then aged 15, at a bowling camp in 2007 and the young fast bowler soon cemented his reputation as a rising star.
Akram, speaking ahead of a charity event in Dubai, described Amir’s conviction in a spot-fixing scandal that led to him and two other players being handed prison sentences as a “tragedy” that had rocked Pakistani and international cricket.
“Of course it is a tragedy for the youngsters,” said Akram, 45, who was accused of match fixing after Pakistan’s heavy loss to Australia in the 2003 World Cup. The allegations were never proved.
“I feel for them. I hope the young generation coming up can learn from these guys’ examples.”
Akram said the sentences against the players would be a strong warning to budding cricketers, adding it was important for national team members to “play for the country and concentrate on the game itself”.
He said it was not for him to decide if the criminal convictions and long ICC bans slapped on the trio – Amir, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif – were harsh.
This month, Butt was sentenced to 30 months in prison, Asif to one year and Amir to six months.
“That’s a court of law and I can’t say anything about that particular issue. It’s huge for these boys and I do feel for them. But I think the young generation is learning very quickly from them.”
Akram was in Dubai yesterday to take part in the Beat Diabetes Walkathon in Dubai that saw scores of residents, young and old, participate in the early morning hours. The 3 kilometre-plus walk began and ended outside the Oasis Centre.
The fast bowler began his one-day international career against New Zealand in 1984 and made his Test debut the following year. He rose to fame with his pioneering reverse swing techniques, earning him the nickname “Sultan of Swing”.
He was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 31, during the peak of his career, compelling him to lead awareness campaigns on the disease around the world.
Yesterday, Akram said more people in Dubai and the subcontinent were aware of the problem.
“If people are coming on a Friday morning for a walk, it shows how much they care for the cause and awareness,” he said.
“I have been diabetic for 16 years and if I can motivate people from any walk of life, any field of life, it’s great.”
Akram told the thousands gathered for the walkathon in blue T-shirts: “Living with diabetes is a daily struggle but can be managed by following a disciplined lifestyle.”
Speaking on the country’s turbulent politics, the cricketer said fellow former Pakistan captain turned politician Imran Khan’s recent rally in Lahore was an “eye opener”.
“We Pakistanis, what we have realised after seeing that rally is that we need a change,” Akram said.
“We have been seeing these politicians from the last 60 years and we do need a change. We need fresh people into politics in our country.”
He also welcomed the return to prominence of the UAE as a cricketing venue after Sharjah became the target of match-fixing investigations more than 10 years ago.
“I am glad cricket is back because people who live here, expatriates – Indians, Pakistanis, Australians, British, South Africans and West Indians – they all love their cricket. This is the place. The interest is immense,” said Akram, who played several matches in Sharjah.
He was also in town to watch the one-day international between Pakistan and Sri lanka yesterday.
After the walk, people queued outside testing booths to check their blood-glucose levels. The free testing will continue today.
“The overwhelming turnout that the walkathon draws year after year is truly heartwarming,” said Renuka Jagtiani, the vice chairwoman of Landmark Group, which organised the walk.
“Through the annual walkathons, the blood-glucose tests and other activities that we conduct round the year, we encourage people to lead active and balanced lives.”
pkannan@thenational.ae
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tottenham 0-1 Ajax, Tuesday
Second leg
Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm
Game is on BeIN Sports
Short-term let permits explained
Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.
Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.
There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.
Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.
Switching%20sides
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GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
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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