DUBAI // The Omani captain Mohammed Aslam says his side's comfortable nine-wicket victory over Kuwait last night was "perfect preparation" ahead of this evening's inaugural Twenty20 Gulf Cup final at Dubal Cricket Stadium in Jebel Ali.
The devastating duo Monsin Gul Baig and Nadil Yusef helped Oman chase down the paltry 69-run target set by their Middle East neighbours as the victors sealed success with 99 balls to spare.
Each of the four teams competing in this week's tournament, which also features the UAE and Saudi Arabia, are made up entirely of nationals, rather than resident expatriates.
"I am very happy with my team," said Aslam, who took three wickets from as many overs and conceded only three runs. "We have the final now to look forward to and we are confident.
"I am not really surprised that we won with such ease. [Sunday's match with the UAE] was tougher, but this was a straightforward game for us. Kuwait are obviously very inexperienced, but they will get better the more they play. This match, for us, was perfect preparation for [today's] game."
Kuwait won the toss and elected to bat, but openers Mahmoud Bastaki and Jasin Isa both left without scoring. Bastaki was caught by Sherif Pindooki off Shah Jehan, while Isa was run out by Abbas.
The Kuwaiti captain Taher Bastaki scored 16 runs from 32 balls, including one boundary. The last man who was bowled, Faisal Bazooki, caught by Samir Mahreb off Aslam, made one from eight balls.
Oman, in replying, chased down their target in just 3.5 overs. Khalid Moussa was caught by Fahad Dos-ari off Mohammed Akil for 25 off eight balls before Gul Baig (22) and Yusef (14) reached the target without losing any further wickets.
While it was a solid display from the Omanis, Kuwait's performance is sure to strengthen the Asian Cricket Council's belief that Middle Eastern countries should be wary of competing in next year's Asian Games, where they could face Pakistan and India.
@Email:gmeenaghan@thenational.ae
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
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Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
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Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
The biog
Name: Fareed Lafta
Age: 40
From: Baghdad, Iraq
Mission: Promote world peace
Favourite poet: Al Mutanabbi
Role models: His parents
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Aaron Finch, Matt Renshaw, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (captain), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle
Sunday's games
All times UAE:
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace, 4pm
Manchester City v Arsenal, 6.15pm
Everton v Watford, 8.30pm
Chelsea v Manchester United, 8.30pm
LOVE%20AGAIN
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