Sports
West Indies beat UAE to clinch ODI series in Sharjah
The UAE can look at the emergence of Ali Naseer as a silver lining ahead of the ICC World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe in two weeks when it conceded the one-day international series against West Indies 2-0 after the second match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The third dead rubber will be played on Friday before the team flies to Harare on June 11.
Making his debut on Sunday with a half-century, Naseer followed it up with a successive effort in the middle order in losing causes. An experiential side for the hosts went down by 78 runs and the general result was already etched in the minds of those in attendance by the time the visitors put up 306 runs on the board. Already lean in the batting order – the UAE lost the first ODI by seven wickets after managing only 202 – their innings hinged on captain Muhammad Waseem to lead by example.
But Waseem was the first to go, dismissed cheaply for six runs, caught behind. Rameez Shahzad, the only other senior batsman in the top order, was rested for this match with a niggle. Debutant Lovepreet failed to make most of the opportunity, as did wicketkeeper-opener Aryansh Sharma after settling in on a cautious note, but gifted his wicket away.
The West Indies have won the three-match ODI series with a match to play for. Courtesy Emirates Cricket Board
Asif Khan – still fresh with his March exploits of becoming the fourth-fastest cricket to score a hundred, in 41 balls, and the first cricketer from a Associate nation to get on the list – failed for a successive time despite promotion to the No 5 spot.
Once the battle was lost in the mind and evident from their body language, the only positives left to see was Vriitya Aravind (36 from 52 balls), Naseer (57, 53b) and Basil Ahmed (49, 84b) from spending time in the middle to get some batting expertise against the tall bowlers from the Caribbean. They proved it was only the lack of application in batting that cost the UAE.
Earlier, West Indies lost their way despite a cracking start after winning the toss and electing to bat. Openers Brandon King (64) and Johnson Charles (63) put on 129 runs for the opening wicket in just 17 overs.
Yet, Ali Naseer broke the deadlock with Charles holing out to the young substitute Ethan D’Souza, 17. Credit to the UAE bowlers, who kept their chin up and reigned in the batsmen with wickets at regular intervals. A double from left-arm spinner Aayan Khan helped as UAE prised open the batting order piece by piece.
West Indies even looked like falling short of the 300-run mark, which seemed a formality earlier, but Odean Smith (37 from 24 balls) took them past the milestone. He was dismissed by Zahoor Khan (3-44) as the medium-pacer’s third wicket. Opening bowlers Naseer and Sanchit Sharma brought some respectability to their bowling figures with two wickets each.
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Travellers arriving at Dubai International Airport are being greeted with a unique souvenir, a special stamp on their passports celebrating the Dubai World Cup 2026.
The initiative, launched by the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), marks the 30th edition (Pearl Jubilee) of one of the world’s most prestigious horse racing events.
A grand sporting celebration
The iconic Dubai World Cup will take place on Saturday, March 28 at Meydan Racecourse, drawing global attention from racing fans and elite stables.
This year’s event promises high-stakes action:
- 100 horses from top international stables
- Nine races across the evening
- Total prize pool of $30.5 million
Spotlight on the main race
The highlight of the night is the $12 million Dubai World Cup race, sponsored by Emirates Airline.
Run over 2,000 metres on dirt, the Group 1 race will feature some of the world’s top thoroughbreds, including:
- “Hit Show” – last year’s winner
- “Forever Young” – UAE Derby and Saudi Cup champion
- “Imperial Emperor”
- “Meidan” – Super Saturday winner
A memorable arrival experience
The commemorative passport stamp adds a celebratory touch for visitors landing in Dubai, tying their arrival to one of the city’s biggest sporting spectacles.
With excitement building ahead of race day, Dubai is once again showcasing its ability to blend world-class sport with unique visitor experiences.
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