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.
Emirates Dubai 7s is returning to The Sevens Stadium from November 27 to 29, with tickets now on sale for the three-day sports and entertainment festival.
The 2026 edition will bring together international rugby, amateur sports, live music and family entertainment, with organisers promising a bigger programme than previous years.
The festival attracted more than 88,000 visitors in 2025 and will again take place during the final weekend of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.
Ticket prices
Ticket prices for General Admission and Hospitality have stayed the same for a third consecutive year.
Three-day General Admission tickets cost Dh595 per person, while the three-day Family Pass is Dh1,136 for two adults and two children.
Other ticket options
- Group pass: Dh446 per person for four or more adults
- Saturday or Sunday: Dh455
- Friday: Dh75
- Under 15s: Free
- People of Determination + carer: Dh375
Tickets can be purchased through the Emirates Dubai 7s website and app.
Bigger family attractions
Family entertainment will get a major boost this year as the UAE celebrates the Year of the Family.
The festival will feature its biggest-ever Kids’ Zone, including the UAE’s largest inflatable kids’ zone, along with a Ferris wheel and zipline. More attractions are expected to be announced ahead of the event.
Six sports and top rugby action
Alongside elite rugby, visitors can watch or take part in competitions across six sports — rugby, netball, cricket, WODON3 fitness, Rebound padel and Gaelic Football.
Gaelic Football will join the festival for the first time in 2026.
The Sevens Stadium will also host the opening round of the HSBC SVNS Series 2027, bringing the world’s leading rugby sevens players to Dubai.
The WODON3 Elite final will take place on Pitch 1 between HSBC SVNS matches, with competitors potentially performing in front of crowds of up to 20,000.
Music all weekend
Live entertainment will run throughout the festival, with local and international artists performing across three days.
Last year’s line-up included Tinie Tempah, Sean Paul and Fisher, while the 2026 headline acts will be announced later.
For a premium experience, The Sunroom returns with all-inclusive food and drinks, shaded seating, prime sporting views and dedicated access. Packages start from Dh1,925 per person.
With sport, music and family attractions packed into one weekend, Emirates Dubai 7s is gearing up for another big Dubai event.
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