DUBAI // The three-match series in Abu Dhabi could not have come at a better time for cricket-starved Pakistan, according to their former captain Imran Khan. Pakistan will take on the West Indies in three one-day internationals in Abu Dhabi, starting Nov 12.
A 15-man squad was announced for the series yesterday, with Shoaib Malik retaining the captaincy and Shoaib Akhtar being named at the head of the five-man pace attack.
Pakistan have not played a Test match in 2008 after Australia refused to tour in March due to security concerns, and the Abu Dhabi series will be the only international engagement before they take on India in January for three Tests, five ODIs and a Twenty20 game.
"The lack of practice is obviously going to affect the team," said Khan.
"The series against India is going to be a big event as Pakistan have not played a Test match for the whole year.
"I hope the matches in Abu Dhabi will set the team on the right course for the series against India."
Rao Iftikhar, Umar Gul, Abdul Rauf and Sohail Tanvir are the other four pacemen included in the squad for Abu Dhabi, but all eyes will be on Akhtar, who returned to the national squad in August for a four-nation Twenty20 tournament in Canada after a series of scrapes with the board kept him out of the side. Akhtar is still entangled in a legal fight with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the currently-suspended disciplinary ban, but forced his way into the side with a superb 4-14 in 10 overs on Sunday in the Pentagular Cup domestic competition against Punjab.
"There has been significant improvement in his fitness and bowling since August and even just over the course of the last two games," said Salim Jaffer, the chairman of the selection committee and former Test fast bowler. "He was very good in this game [against Punjab] where his rhythm was back and his stamina was there too.
"We want him to be with the team and get back into it because the India series is an important one. He is one of the best bowlers around and we expect him to play a big part in that series.
Shoaib Malik has been retained as captain while Mohammed Yousuf, the middle-order batsman,returns to the side after missing the T20 tournament in Toronto due to delays in obtaining a visa.
But there is a twist in this tale with reports of Yousuf joining the Indian Cricket League.
Yousuf, who initially signed up for the rebel league in 2007 before being talked out of it by the Pakistan Cricket Board, reportedly arrived in New Delhi and will join the ICL tournament, which has a fortnight left to run.
The PCB director of cricket operations Zakir Khan said: "[Yousuf's] wife told us on the telephone that he has left for India to play in the ICL. He did not inform us about his travel plans to India and we are trying to contact him directly."
A move to the rebel league would seem likely to end Yousuf's international career. The other concern for Pakistan is the health of Nasir Jamshed, the left-handed opener who has just recovered from malaria and will undergo a fitness test before flying to Abu Dhabi.
The Pakistan squad to meet the West Indies in Abu Dhabi: Shoaib Malik (captain), Misbah-ul-Haq, Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshed, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar Anjum, Fawad Alam, Abdur Rauf, Saeed Ajmal.
* With agencies
THE SPECS
Aston Martin Rapide AMR
Engine: 6.0-litre V12
Transmission: Touchtronic III eight-speed automatic
Power: 595bhp
Torque: 630Nm
Price: Dh999,563
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S
Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900
Engine: 937cc
Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km
The BIO
Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.
Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.
Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.
Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.
