ABU DHABI // The diminutive Mushtaq Ahmed looked back fondly at the start of his international career - a shock call-up to the one-day team against Sri Lanka in Sharjah two decades ago. "The UAE has always been close to my heart since that day" he said, after making 68 more appearances and representing his country in 116 Test matches between 1990 and 2003. "I never thought that I was going to be picked for Pakistan and suddenly the door opened for me at the age of 19 when Imran Khan, the captain at the time, told me he wanted to award me a cap. It was a fantastic moment for me."
He relived that moment yesterday and was happy to see his compatriots back in action after a long layoff. "At least Pakistan are playing international cricket again. "They still have talented team and I still think they can be a dangerous team whoever they are up against." wjohnson@thenational.ae
Ten10 Cricket League
Venue and schedule Sharjah Cricket Stadium, December 14 to 17
Teams
Maratha Arabians Leading player: Virender Sehwag; Top picks: Mohammed Amir, Imad Wasim; UAE players: Shaiman Anwar, Zahoor Khan
Bengal Lions Leading player: Sarfraz Ahmed; Top picks: Sunil Narine, Mustafizur Rahman; UAE players: Mohammed Naveed, Rameez Shahzad
Kerala Kings Leading player: Eoin Morgan; Top picks: Kieron Pollard, Sohail Tanvir; UAE players: Rohan Mustafa, Imran Haider
Pakhtoons Leading player: Shahid Afridi; Top picks: Fakhar Zaman, Tamim Iqbal; UAE players: Amjad Javed, Saqlain Haider
Punjabi Legends Leading player: Shoaib Malik; Top picks: Hasan Ali, Chris Jordan; UAE players: Ghulam Shabber, Shareef Asadullah
Team Sri Lanka Cricket Will be made up of Colombo players who won island’s domestic limited-overs competition
Brief scores:
Toss: Rajputs, elected to field first
Sindhis 94-6 (10 ov)
Watson 42; Munaf 3-20
Rajputs 96-0 (4 ov)
Shahzad 74 not out
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Install an air filter in your home.
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Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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MATCH INFO
Alaves 1 (Perez 65' pen)
Real Madrid 2 (Ramos 52', Carvajal 69')