DUBAI // Twenty20 cricket seems to be the perfect format for Pakistan. The temperamental side have always played the game with a brazenness that is typical of cricket's shortest version today. Javed Miandad's epic last-ball six against India in Sharjah, Shahid Afridi's amazing 37-ball century in Nairobi or Salim Malik's 72 not out from 36 balls in Kolkata are but just a few instances of those mad moments. So it is not entirely surprising that Pakistan have the best record in Twenty20 among all nations.
In 17 games, they have lost just three and they cruised to their 13th win on Thursday night, humbling the Australians by seven wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. This was their second win in as many matches over the Australians. Umar Gul missed the best bowling figures in the format by one run as he demolished the Australians with four wickets for eight runs. Afridi chipped in with three for 14 and Kamran Akmal stroked a faultless unbeaten 59 to bring joy to the packed stadium.
The win, coming before next month's World Twenty20 in England, augurs well for Pakistan, who missed out in the final last time after Misbah-ul-Haq's outrageous paddle-scoop left his team five short against India. Misbah, the captain on Thursday night after Younus Khan suffered a bout of viral fever, said: "I think this win is a great boost for us before the T20 World Cup. To win against one of the best teams in the world is really good for the spirit of our team."
Pakistan have played little international cricket in recent times, but Misbah believed his team will be favourites in England alongside defending champions India and the South Africans. "It is not just this win," he said. "If you see the last T20 World Cup, India and Pakistan performed really well. People were not expecting us to do so well on South African pitches. But we outclassed all the teams and played the finals.
"Since then, both teams have played very well in every T20 match. That is why I think both teams have a good chance and hopefully we will do well again." Three Australians, who were hoping to get some more match practice and money as well in the Indian Premier League, had more disappointment after Cricket Australia refused them permission on fitness grounds. Shane Watson is almost certain to miss out on joining Rajasthan Royals' defence after his injury curse struck again.
The all-rounder excelled with the bat as Australia won the one-day series in the UAE, but he did not bowl a ball as he continued his recuperation from a long-term injury lay-off. His comeback was derailed as he suffered a groin strain on Thursday night and is now unlikely to play again before Australia depart for the World Twenty20 in England next month. The team doctor Trefor James also asked Nathan Bracken and James Hopes to stand down from joining the Bangalore Royal Challengers and Kings XI Punjab respectively. However, Andrew Symonds, Brett Lee and David Hussey got the nod to fly to South Africa.
Watson's woes were compounded after he was docked 25 per cent of his match fees for showing dissent when he was given out by Aleem Dar off Gul's bowling. Brad Haddin, who was captaining Australia for just the second time in the absence of Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke, also suffered a miserable evening. His frustrations got the better of him when Symonds was given out lbw to the first-ball he received from Shahid Afridi.
Haddin, who had already been irked by the contentious decision that ended Watson's early cameo, waved his bat in anger at the umpire, Zameer Haider, claiming the ball had clipped the inside edge of Symonds's bat before hitting his front pad. He was fined 15 per cent of his match fee for breaching the ICC code of conduct. Jeff Crowe, the match referee who decided on the penalties, said: "Both players immediately pleaded guilty to the charges and were very apologetic about their actions."
@Email:pradley@thenational.ae arizvi@thenational.ae Scorecard, s12-13
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
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More coverage from the Future Forum
Andor
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Abu Dhabi traffic facts
Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road
The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.
Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.
The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.
The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.
Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019
Company%20Profile
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England squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Ben White
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse
Forwards: Tammy Abraham, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Raheem Sterling
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The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
WandaVision
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany
Directed by: Matt Shakman
Rating: Four stars
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
Mobile phone packages comparison
Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2014%20PRO%20MAX
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PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm)
Burnley v Huddersfield Town (7pm)
Everton v Bournemouth (7pm)
Manchester City v Crystal Palace (7pm)
Southampton v Manchester United (7pm)
Stoke City v Chelsea (7pm)
Swansea City v Watford (7pm)
Leicester City v Liverpool (8.30pm)
Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle United (7pm)
Monday
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (11pm)