For UAE fast bowler Muhammad Rohid, being among the highest-valued local players at the DP World ILT20’s first-ever player auction was more than a career milestone, it was proof that homegrown cricketers now have a genuine pathway to the professional game.

The left-arm pacer was signed by MI Emirates for $140,000 ahead of Season 4, making him the fifth-highest-priced UAE player in the historic auction. Rohid believes the league is changing the future of cricket in the Emirates by giving young players a platform to showcase their talent alongside some of the biggest names in the sport.

“The biggest thing the DP World ILT20 has done is create a clear pathway for UAE players,” Rohid said. “Young cricketers can now see that if they perform well, opportunities will come, whether that’s with a franchise or the national team.”

The 24-year-old credits the tournament with helping him develop both on and off the field. He recalled one of his standout moments from

Season 4, when he was told he would be playing in Qualifier 2 just 10 minutes before the toss. Despite the late call-up, Rohid delivered figures of 2 for 19, dismissing Brandon McMullen and Liam Livingstone during a match-winning spell.

“The biggest lesson I learned was to always stay ready because opportunities can come at any moment,” he said. “The environment taught me to trust my preparation, stay calm under pressure and back my abilities.”

Rohid also highlighted the value of sharing a dressing room with international stars such as Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Shakib Al Hasan.

“Watching how they prepare, train and handle pressure has been a huge learning experience. They were always willing to share advice, and those conversations helped me become a better player.”

The pacer has since become a regular member of the UAE national team, featuring in ODIs and T20 Internationals, while also earning selection for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where he represented the UAE against New Zealand.

Looking ahead, Rohid says his focus remains on improving his game and becoming a bowler his captain can rely on in every situation.

“I want to keep getting better every season and contribute more for both the UAE and MI Emirates. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve received and hope to make the most of them.”

Season 5 of the DP World ILT20 is scheduled to take place in November and December 2026.

Hundreds of Indian nationals visited the UAE’s newly launched Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) on Wednesday as the new network officially began operations, marking a major overhaul of Indian passport and consular services in the country.

The centres, operated by Al Hind Tours & Travels, have taken over passport, visa, attestation and other consular application services previously handled at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai.

A total of 16 ICAC centres are now operational across the UAE, making it easier for Indian residents to access consular services closer to home.

Speaking at the opening of the flagship centre at UW Mall in Bur Dubai, Mohammed Haris, Chairman and Founder of Al Group of Companies, said demand was high from the moment bookings opened.

Largest centre in Bur Dubai

The Bur Dubai branch is the largest Indian Consular Application Centre in the UAE, featuring 70 service counters with the capacity to serve around 600 applicants a day. The second-largest facility is located in Dubai Investment Park.

Once all 16 centres are fully operational, the network is expected to process up to 8,000 applications daily. Around 350 employees have been recruited to manage operations across the country.

Dh19 service fee

Applicants will pay a Dh19 service charge in addition to the applicable Government of India fee.

The charge includes several services that were previously paid for separately, including passport photographs, photocopying, printing and form-filling assistance.

Al Hind confirmed there are no premium service options, with all applicants receiving the same level of service.

Faster application process

Officials said most applications can be completed in around 30 minutes, provided applicants arrive with the required documents.

Appointments can be booked through the new online portal, with fresh slots released twice daily at 9am and 9pm.

Services available

The new centres offer a full range of Indian consular services, including:

• Passport applications and renewals
• Visa services
• Document attestation
• OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) services
• Other consular applications

With the launch of the ICAC network, applicants will no longer need to visit the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Indian Consulate in Dubai to submit most routine consular applications.

Sharjah has introduced a new firefighting motorcycle to help emergency crews reach fire incidents faster, particularly in areas affected by heavy traffic.

The Sharjah Civil Defence Authority said the specially equipped motorcycle will enable firefighters to carry out initial firefighting operations while larger fire engines are on their way, helping reduce response times during critical emergencies.

The new vehicle is expected to be especially useful during the summer months, when soaring temperatures increase the risk of fires linked to overloaded electrical systems, air-conditioning units and the handling of hazardous materials.

To mark the launch, the authority released a short video showcasing the firefighting motorcycle and its role in improving emergency response across the emirate.

The announcement comes as the General Directorate of Prevention and Protection continues inspections of fire alarm systems, firefighting equipment and safety installations across Sharjah. Recent field inspections were carried out to ensure suppliers comply with approved technical standards and fire safety regulations.

Sharjah has also been investing in long-term fire prevention measures. The emirate is exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve building safety and strengthen fire resilience.

In addition, Sharjah Municipality is continuing its Dh100 million fire safety programme to replace building facades with fire-resistant materials. Five buildings have already been upgraded, with plans to complete similar improvements on a total of 40 buildings.