If ever anyone needed proof that cricket is a great leveller, then consider the case of Vaishnave Mahesh.
On Monday night, the spin-bowler had been sobbing inconsolably to her parents after UAE’s dream of playing at the T20 World Cup had been extinguished.
The 15-year-old’s leg-spin had met with an onslaught from Papua New Guinea’s batters, in a loss that pushed a chance of reaching the semi-finals of the Qualifier in Abu Dhabi beyond the home team’s reach.
A day later, she had been working out on the treadmill in the gym of the team hotel on Yas Island, when the runner next to her dispensed some wisdom.
Given that the words of encouragement were being offered by Mignon du Preez, who has played more than 260 times for South Africa, it meant a lot.
“I was crying after that game, in tears, but I had a lot of people who came up to me,” Vaishnave said.
“Theertha [Satish], my captain [Chaya Mughal], and even Mignon du Preez came up to me and said, ‘One bad game doesn’t define a bowler.’
“That really picked me up. Even after that, we went to the gym and she was talking to me. All three of my coaches, Murali [Sockalingham, at her academy in Dubai], GS Mukund in India, and my dad, they all gave me good encouragement.
“They just said, ‘One game doesn’t matter, you always have the next game.’ That is how I picked up confidence.”
Her response was immaculate. Two nights after the heartbreak against PNG, UAE were back in action.
Their task was a daunting one, against a Test-playing nation – Zimbabwe – who had beaten the national team in a T20I a week earlier in Dubai.
Despite the odds, UAE were fearless. Vaishnave was the standout as they restricted their higher-ranked opposition to 120 for seven from their 20 overs.
Her contribution with the ball was three for 15 from four overs – and that, too, takes into account going for seven off her final three deliveries.
UAE’s chase was a plucky one, built on two pillars of their batting line up, Esha Oza and Kavisha Kumari.
Kumari was at the crease in the final over when, between her and Vaishnave, the host nation required 14 to win.
Hope seemed to have vanished when they were left with 10 required from the final two balls, only for Zimbabwe to botch their lines in extraordinary fashion.
Nomvelo Sibanda fired a wide down the leg-side. Wicketkeeper Modester Mupachikwa let the ball past her. Vaishnave and Kavisha ran two – then were donated one more via a wild overthrow.
It left Vaishnave on strike with six to get, still with two remaining. She eked out another two from the penultimate ball, then struck the final one past the fine leg fielder and to the boundary rope.
Vaishave deemed it the “most nail-biting game” she has ever been involved in. Given she is just 15, that is only a small sample size, but even seasoned veterans would have said the same.
“That is cricket,” she said. “It is a very unpredictable game. It is a funny game, and you don’t know what is going to happen in the next match.
“It was always in my mind to try to come back stronger and be a match-winner for the team.”
Kavisha was named player of the match for her innings of 41 not out, but thought nothing of entrusting her young colleague to take strike at the end.
“I don’t think either of us thought about much except winning,” Vaishnave said.
“That was what was in our mind. It was pretty much, whatever happens, just whack the ball.
“At no point of time did I think the game had gone. I am an MS Dhoni fan, being from Chennai.
“You always take the game to the last over. Kavisha really helped me a lot from the other end, saying ‘Come on, Vaish, you can do this.’ Everything motivated me.”
Employment lawyer Meriel Schindler of Withers Worldwide shares her tips on achieving equal pay
Do your homework
Make sure that you are being offered a fair salary. There is lots of industry data available, and you can always talk to people who have come out of the organisation. Where I see people coming a cropper is where they haven’t done their homework.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
It’s quite standard to negotiate if you think an offer is on the low side. The job is unlikely to be withdrawn if you ask for money, and if that did happen I’d question whether you want to work for an employer who is so hypersensitive.
Know your worth
Women tend to be a bit more reticent to talk about their achievements. In my experience they need to have more confidence in their own abilities – men will big up what they’ve done to get a pay rise, and to compete women need to turn up the volume.
Work together
If you suspect men in your organisation are being paid more, look your boss in the eye and say, “I want you to assure me that I’m paid equivalent to my peers”. If you’re not getting a straight answer, talk to your peer group and consider taking direct action to fix inequality.
Crops that could be introduced to the UAE
1: Quinoa
2. Bathua
3. Amaranth
4. Pearl and finger millet
5. Sorghum
THE SPECS
GMC Sierra Denali 1500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Price: Dh232,500
Jebel Ali results
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner: AF Al Moreeb, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
2.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Shamikh, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 64,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: One Vision, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
3.30pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Gabr, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
4pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 96,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
4.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Torno Subito, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner: Untold Secret, Jose Santiago, Salem bin Ghadayer
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Other promotions
- Deliveroo will team up with Pineapple Express to offer customers near JLT a special treat: free banana caramel dessert with all orders on January 26
- Jones the Grocer will have their limited edition Australia Day menu available until the end of the month (January 31)
- Australian Vet in Abu Dhabi (with locations in Khalifa City A and Reem Island) will have a 15 per cent off all store items (excluding medications)
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Celta Vigo v Villarreal (midnight kick-off UAE)
Saturday Sevilla v Real Sociedad (4pm), Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao (7.15pm), Granada v Barcelona (9.30pm), Osasuna v Real Madrid (midnight)
Sunday Levante v Eibar (4pm), Cadiz v Alaves (7.15pm), Elche v Getafe (9.30pm), Real Valladolid v Valencia (midnight)
Monday Huesca v Real Betis (midnight)
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
BRAZIL SQUAD
Alisson (Liverpool), Daniel Fuzato (Roma), Ederson (Man City); Alex Sandro (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Emerson (Real Betis), Felipe (Atletico Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Silva (PSG); Arthur (Barcelona), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Fabinho (Liverpool), Lucas Paqueta (AC Milan), Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich); David Neres (Ajax), Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Richarlison (Everton), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Willian (Chelsea).
GROUP RESULTS
Group A
Results
Ireland beat UAE by 226 runs
West Indies beat Netherlands by 54 runs
Group B
Results
Zimbabwe tied with Scotland
Nepal beat Hong Kong by five wickets
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
