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West Indies defeated Nepal by 10 wickets in the third and final T20I of the Unity Cup here at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Scores
NEPAL 122 in 19.5 overs (Khushal Bhurtel 39, Sandeep Jora 14; Ramon Simmonds 4-15, Jediah Blades 2-20).
WEST INDIES 123-0 in 12.2 overs (Amir Jangoo 74 not out, Akeem Auguste 41 not out)
*Nepal won the 3-match series 2-1
The Dominica government says public servants including teachers are to receive millions of dollars (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) in backpay following the conclusion of salary negotiations.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said the negotiations were concluded last month with the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) and the Dominica Association of Teachers(DAT) for the period 2021-2024 and 2024-2027.
He said that the agreed-upon salary measures have come info effect starting this September and that public officers will receive an eight per cent salary increase, three per cent in 2024/25, two per cent in 2025/26, and three per cent in 2026/27 over the 2024-2027 period. Skerrit said in addition, back pay totaling EC$2,974,064.23 will be disbursed by November 2025.
He said effective this month teachers will receive salary increases on the same schedule, along with new allowances to support their work.
Skerrit said that the government has committed to the payment of a new resource allowance, and they will receive back pay amounting to EC$1,051,589.57, scheduled for disbursement in October 2025.
He said effective July 2025, the Police Welfare Association (PWA) had also agreed to an eight per cent increase over the 2024-27 Triennium.
According to Prime Minister Skerrit, officers across the board are receiving a monthly risk allowance of EC$250 from July 2025 along with financial support to the PWA. He said back pay of EC$465,334 was also paid to the officers in May, 2025.
‘Our public officers and our teachers are the backbone of national development, and we are happy to have reached this agreement with both parties,’ Skerrit told reporters, adding ‘I thank the leadership of the DPSU and the DAT for their constructive engagement throughout this process, and I salute all public officers and teachers for their service to country’.
Meanwhile, trade unions here have launched a trade union congress (DTUC) under the theme ‘Consolidating Trade Union Power through Unity and Solidarity’
The TUC brings together the DPSU, the DAT, the Dominica Amalgamated Workers Union (DAWU) and Waterfront and Allied Workers Union (WAWU).
Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Joni T. Musabayana (DBL), said that the launch of the DTUC ‘is no small achievement,’ saying ‘it is the beginning of a new chapter for the workers of Dominica.
‘This step strengthens workers’ representation in the country. It also strengthens your voice in the Caribbean, and in the wider international labour movement.’.
‘Unity is not only about standing together. It is also about being effective. No single union, however strong, can on its own shape the national agenda. A united congress gives you a stronger seat at the table of social dialogue. It allows you to speak with one voice in defence of workers’ rights. It makes it possible to influence policy, to negotiate better conditions, and to stand firm against injustice.’
The DTUC is headed by Steve Michael Joseph of the DPSU.
With the highly anticipated Test series against India on the horizon, West Indies vice-captain Jomel Warrican has expressed a quiet confidence in his team’s preparations, emphasising a focus on the present moment and the hard work being put in on the training grounds in Ahmedabad.
West Indies vice-captain Jomel Warrican
The Caribbean squad has been acclimatising for the past couple of days, and Warrican, a left-arm spinner who could play a pivotal role in the subcontinental conditions, believes the intensive camp has been beneficial.
‘It’s given us a lot of confidence, me as a left-arm spinner,’ Warrican stated.
While he acknowledged the past success of left-arm spinners against the Indian batting line-up, he was quick to dismiss any notion of relying on history.
‘It’s impressive that left-arm spinners have done well against India, but at the same time, you can’t live too much in the past. You have to be in the present and just focus on the job at hand.’
The team’s preparation has been thorough, featuring two demanding all-day sessions designed to simulate the rigours of a Test match. According to Warrican, every department is being fine-tuned.
‘The batsmen have been doing a lot of drills, whether it be sweeping, playing off the back foot, for our defensive or lofty shot, just backing the game plan,’ he explained.
The bowlers, too, are leaving no stone unturned. ‘The spinners or the pacers, or should I say the bowlers, have been hitting their lengths on target very consistently, doing a lot of spot bowling as well, and then taking that into bowling against the batsmen.’
Underpinning the intense physical work is a clear mental philosophy instilled by the coaching staff. The message is to play with freedom and enjoyment.
‘The coaches have really instilled in us to be free and back your game plans and enjoy your cricket,’ Warrican shared. ‘Any time you step on a field, don’t be tense. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Just try and enjoy the moment and live in the moment. Just have some fun while you’re playing, but still be aware of what’s happening around you.’