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“DP World ILT20 helped me grow as a cricketer,” says UAE U19 Skipper Aayan Afzal Khan

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  • Making rapid strides in international cricket is UAE’s U-19 skipper Aayan Afzal Khan, who has led his team into the semi-finals of the prestigious ACC U19 Men’s Asia Cup 2023. The team will now face-off against Pakistan in an attempt of making it to the tournament final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.

Aayan attributes his exploits as an all-rounder to his stint with the DP World International League T20, where he rubbed shoulders with global stars in its first edition when he turned up for the tournament winners’ Gulf Giants.

“By following multiple international cricketers during the first season, I got an understanding of the approach and process they follow and how they go about each situation. I have tried applying some of their principles to my game and it has certainly helped me grow as a cricketer,” Aayan expressed about his stint in the DP World ILT20 Season 1.

He has been the cynosure of UAE’s performance in the U19 Asia Cup where he was awarded the player of the match twice in a span of three days. His 67 off 41 balls to help his team reach 320-7 in 50 overs against Japan while he played a crucial role in UAE’s win against Sri Lanka too – helping the team seal a berth in the semi-finals.

Aayan’s mercurial rise in international cricket was fostered by the Desert Cubs Cricket Academy, and even before he could turn 17, Aayan made his debut for UAE in both T20s and ODIs. He also represented UAE in the ICC U-19 World Cup in 2022 where he won the player of the match award after helping his team beat the West Indies with a brilliant knock of 93 runs along with a wicket off his bowling.

He holds the distinction of being the youngest cricketer to feature in an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match at the tender age of 16 years and 335 days, when the UAE played the Netherlands in a Group A first round match in the 2022 edition.

While the Gulf Giants Season 2 side boasts of the likes of global stars James Vince, Chris Lynn, Shimron Hetmyer, Carlos Brathwaite and Chris Jordan, Aayan Afzal Khan, the 18-year-old all-rounder from Sharjah, will be in focus as one of the emerging players in UAE particular after his success in the U19 Asia Cup, where UAE proved their mettle despite being considered as the underdogs in the tournament.

 “I am happy with how my career is shaping, super excited and looking forward to yet another fascinating season with the Gulf Giants. Last season was absolutely magical and I absolutely can’t wait to get on with the upcoming edition. It can help boost my chances of finding a spot in one of the many leagues that take place around the world. Match winning performances will hopefully catch the eyes of scouts who are constantly on the look-out for young talent,” stated an eager Aayan.

Underlining his personal goals in the upcoming edition of the DP World ILT20, Aayan said,“Ultimately, while you do want to do well, there is no point unless the team wins. I would like to go out there and do what the team [Gulf Giants] requires of me whenever they need it so that we can win games by executing our plans,” he said. “On a personal level, I would like to win the UAE Player of the Tournament Award (DP World ILT20 Blue Belt) because of how prestigious it is and the respect the winner draws on winning the award,” he concluded.

The DP World ILT20 Season 2 will feature Australia’s World Cup hero David Warner, Andre Russell, David Willey, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Alex Hales, Shimron Hetmyer, Chris Jordan, Trent Boult, Nicholas Pooran, Chris Woakes and Maheesh Theekshana. More than 100 international and 24 UAE players will feature in the tournament.

The DP World ILT20 will begin on Friday, 19th January in Sharjah with a clash between the Giants and Sharjah Warriors. The tournament final will be staged at the iconic ‘Ring of Fire’ Dubai International Stadium on Saturday, 17 February. 

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Dubai’s flamingo paradise closes for major Dh650-million makeover

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Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, one of Dubai’s hidden gems and a haven for birdwatchers, has temporarily closed to make way for a stunning new upgrade, part of a Dh650-million development project set to transform the wetlands into a world-class eco-destination.

More Water, More Wildlife

The first phase of the redevelopment is already underway, with completion expected by the end of next year. It includes a massive 144% expansion of water bodies, boosting their total size to 74 hectares.

Alongside this, 10 hectares of new mudflats will be added, essential feeding grounds for migratory birds, supporting marine biodiversity and rare plant life.

Nature Gets a Boost

Phase two will focus on enhancing native vegetation and creating improved wildlife habitats to attract even more bird species. Visitor facilities are also set for an upgrade, giving nature lovers a better, more immersive experience.

The sanctuary is already known for its iconic pink flamingos in winter, as well as osprey, grey herons, and black-winged stilts. The reserve is fully fenced, offering safety for wildlife and serenity for guests.

Eco-Friendly Vision

Once complete, the new sanctuary is expected to increase carbon dioxide absorption by 60 per cent, giving a powerful green boost to Dubai’s environment.

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Skip the flight, catch the ferry: Pakistan–Oman set to launch sea service

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Pakistan and Oman are moving closer to launching a direct ferry service between Gwadar and the Sultanate, as part of renewed efforts to strengthen maritime cooperation, enhance trade, and build regional connectivity.

The developments came during a high-level meeting on Thursday between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, and the Ambassador of Oman to Pakistan, Fahad bin Sulaiman bin Khalaf Al Kharusi.

Maritime Trade in Focus

Both sides reaffirmed their deep-rooted diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties and discussed plans to accelerate cooperation in the maritime sector. Minister Chaudhry highlighted that Pakistan’s exports to Oman via sea ports reached $224 million in 2024, but stressed the potential to significantly increase this figure through joint initiatives.

Gwadar-Oman Ferry Could Unlock Billions

A major highlight of the meeting was the proposal to launch a direct ferry service from Gwadar to Oman, which Chaudhry said could unlock $10–15 billion annually for Pakistan through trade expansion, transit revenue, and investment inflows.

Potential New Ferry Routes

  • Based on current and past plans, potential ferry routes from Pakistan include:
    • Karachi to Gwadar
    • Gwadar to Muscat (Oman)
    • Karachi to Muscat (Oman)
    • Karachi to Chabahar (Iran)
    • Gwadar to Chabahar (Iran)
    • International excursion tours
    • Local city operation within Karachi 
    • Past Sea Routes that Were Proposed
  • There have been past discussions and reports about ferry services between Pakistan and other regions but they have yet to become a reality:
    • Dubai-Karachi Ferry Service: A luxury ferry service between Karachi and Dubai was approved in 2006, with Gulf Dream Cruise being the first operator. This service was planned to take two days and cost $549 for a round trip. However, the feasibility of a regular ferry service for fast passenger transfers was questioned due to the affordability of flights.
    • India-Dubai: The Indian government had granted permission for the launch of a cruise ferry service connecting Kerala and Dubai in 2023. The ferry service operating on the Beypur-Kochi-Dubai route, would prvide connectivity between Dubai and Kochi, within just three days and enable expats in the UAE to carry 10 times more luggage and travel at a lower cost than airlines. The ticket was expected to cost at around Dh450.
    • Iran Ferry Service: There was a plan to launch a ferry service between Karachi/Gwadar and Chabahar in Iran, primarily to facilitate pilgrims and offer a safer alternative to road travel.

Maritime Training & Human Capital Development

Chaudhry also proposed offering specialised training and scholarships for Omani students at the Pakistan Marine Academy, which is being upgraded to university status. The goal: to foster long-term maritime collaboration and build shared human capital in marine sciences and navigation.

Strong Cultural Ties and Diaspora Links

Ambassador Al Kharusi welcomed the proposals and highlighted the strong cultural connections between the two nations. He noted that Urdu remains widely spoken and understood in Oman, reflecting historic social bonds, and praised the Pakistani community’s role in Oman’s development.

The ambassador also backed greater B2B (business-to-business) engagements to unlock new trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.

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Bangladeshi electrician wins Dh25 million in Abu Dhabi Big Ticket Draw

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A Bangladeshi expat living in the UAE has won the Dh25 million grand prize in Big Ticket’s latest draw held on Thursday, July 3.

Mohammed Naser Balal, a 43-year-old electrician who has lived in the UAE for 14 years, took home the life-changing amount after his ticket 061080 was announced as the winning number in Big Ticket Draw No. 276.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Balal shared: “I’ve been buying tickets every single month for the past 12 years, always dreaming I’d win. Today, that dream came true.”

Balal, who purchased the ticket with five friends, plans to split the prize with them and build a home for his family in Bangladesh.

Indian Family Wins Nissan Patrol

In the same draw, an Indian family from Kerala won a Nissan Patrol. Geethammal and her son, now based in Dubai, were overjoyed as the ticket, purchased under her husband’s name, secured them the luxury car. Her husband has been living in the UAE for 30 years and was the first in the family

What’s Next in Big Ticket’s July Promotion?

  • Dh20 million grand prize up for grabs in the August 3 live draw
  • Weekly e-draws every Thursday in July, offering Dh50,000 to four winners
  • Buy 2, Get 1/2/3 Free ticket bundles (online & at airport counters)
  • Luxury car draws: Range Rover Velar (Aug 3) and BMW M440i (Sep 3)
  • Big Win Contest: Buy 2+ tickets between July 1–24 to enter and win between Dh20,000 and Dh150,000 at the live draw

Tickets can be purchased at www.bigticket.ae, Zayed International Airport, or Al Ain Airport.

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