Steve Luckings looks at some great live sport to watch in the UAE as Sharjah gets ready to host the third cricket Test between Pakistan and West Indies. In England, it’s Jose Mourinho v Pep Guardiola II as Manchester United and Manchester City lock horns in the EFL Cup.
1. Football: EFL Cup, Tuesday and Wednesday, various kick off times, selected matches available on BeIN Sports HD
The English Football League Cup is down to its last 16 teams with some truly heavyweight clashes in store across two days. On Tuesday (10.45pm kick off UAE), Liverpool, last season’s beaten finalists, take on Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield. Both clubs are going great in the league, but with Spurs also prioritising Uefa Champions League commitments while Liverpool have no European engagements, the North London club could opt to rest several first-team regulars. On Wednesday we have Jose Mourinho v Pep Guardiola II as Manchester United host City at Old Trafford. Guardiola got the better of his great rival in the Premier League last month, and the defending EFL Cup champions will look to make Mourinho’s position even more uncomfortable after a stuttering start to his reign at Old Trafford.
2. Cricket: Pakistan v West Indies, third Test, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, starts Sunday, 10am, Ten Sports HD
While the second Test is ongoing in Abu Dhabi, the third and final five-day match takes place in the emirate of Sharjah, where a vociferous crowd are expected to cheer on the “home” team Pakistan. While the crowds have been less than expected for the first Test in Dubai and the second in Abu Dhabi, expect to see a partisan crowd at what is widely regarded as the best place in the UAE to watch cricket.
3. Golf: World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions, Shanghai, China, Thursday-Sunday, OSN Sports HD
The 2016 World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions taking place at the Sheshan International Golf Club has a strong field with 43 of the world’s top 50 players confirmed to play. The latest additions to the field include European Ryder Cup team members Thomas Pieters, Rafael Cabrera Bello, Martin Kaymer, Matt Fitzpatrick, Lee Westwood and Chris Wood along with victorious US Ryder Cup team members JB Holmes, Brooks Koepka, Ryan Moore, and Brandt Snedeker. Other standouts include Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama and South African major champions Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel.
4. Running: Westin Kilomarathon, Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Friday
Run under the lights on one of the capital’s most recognisable golf courses. Runners will complete six laps set across the garden course. There is also a three-lap and one-lap options. Call 056 109 2346 for information.
5. Football: Arabian Gulf League, Thursday and Friday, various kick off times, Abu Dhabi Sports and Dubai Sports HD
With the Autumn transfer window closed last week the Arabian Gulf League squads are now settled for the next few months at least. UAE international forward Ali Mabkhout’s hat-trick against Kalba at the weekend fired Al Jazira into second place in the standings, two points behind leaders Al Shabab. Jazira are at home this week as they host Abu Dhabi rivals Baniyas on Thursday (8pm), while Shabab face a test of their title credentials when they welcome the reigning league champions Al Ahli on Friday (8pm).
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