DUBAI // When Mohammed Tauqir was approached about making a comeback to cricket last year, he was out of practice and out of shape.
Two years without a game will do that to a player.
He got the call from Emirates Cricket Board selectors, who were keen to coax the Emirates’ most successful player out of his unofficial retirement.
They needed to have at least some indigenous representation in the World Cup squad and Tauqir was their best chance, despite his advancing years.
He was aware his former national team colleagues might be sceptical, though. The other players had done all the legwork, after all.
Anyone making a run for the team once the rest of them had done the hard bit and earned qualification was sure to be treated with suspicion.
Nearly two decades after making his debut for the national team, he had to prove himself all over again.
He devoted himself to the fitness programme laid out for the squad, which was harsher and more specific than anything he had done.
Six months later and 10 kilograms lighter, he had proved his commitment.
Peter Kelly, the rugby player who is the UAE’s strength and conditioning consultant, said Tauqir and Manjula Guruge, the seam bowler, had made the biggest improvement of anyone in the squad. They had needed to, though.
Tauqir’s fitness readings are a personal best, not just since he started monitoring it for cricket, but for his adult life. At the age of 42, he has never felt fitter.
“When I started back it was Ramadan and I had been travelling a lot, and I remember my weight was between 89 and 90kg,” Tauqir said.
“The other day I was weighed again, with Peter, and it was 79.5kg.
“As far as I can remember, I have never seen my weight below 80kg. This is the first time, and I was so excited to see that.”
Having been appointed captain for the World Cup, Tauqir might need to bring to bear the skills of his day job on a set of players who have been used to Khurram Khan’s leadership for so long.
The veteran spinner, who is a relationships manager for the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, might be fit, but he has not played much lately.
Since returning to the squad for the tour of West Australia in September, he has played just four of the side’s 15 matches.
He has taken three wickets in that time.
Aaqib Javed, the UAE coach, said the sudden captaincy alteration, one month before the World Cup campaign starts against Zimbabwe, is not an issue.
“As coach, I will try to do my best to convince everybody to move forward,” said Aaqib, who did not have an official vote in the selection of the 15-man squad for the World Cup.
“They have worked really hard for the past year. I still believe this team can do the things I said it could one month ago.”
pradley@thenational.ae
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DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
SPECS
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Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
'Tell the Machine Goodnight' by Katie Williams
Penguin Randomhouse
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company%20profile
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BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The%20Roundup
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WITHIN%20SAND
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
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The%20specs
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The%20specs
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Ferrari
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The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders
Stuart Kells, Counterpoint Press
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
Yuki Means Happiness
Alison Jean Lester
John Murray
CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP
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Company%20Profile
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