ACC finalists to qualify for Asia Cup

Karachi, July 25: The finalists of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Trophy will earn the right to participate in next year's Asia Cup to be staged by Pakistan in April.

The ACC Trophy will be played in Sharjah from Nov 15 to 24. It will be participated by eight associate member teams.

The increase in number of teams by ACC is in line with the decision of the International Cricket Council (ICC) who have also raised the participation of the team to 14 in the 2003 World Cup. The break up is: 10 Test playing countries, Kenya because of their one-day status right, and three qualifiers from the ICC Trophy.

"If we have to promote cricket in Asia, we have to give maximum opportunity to the associate countries. The participation in the tournament will help them raise their infrastructure at home besides increasing interest in the masses," a spokesman of the ACC said.

The decision means that next year in Pakistan, six teams will vie for top honours - two qualifiers and four Test playing countries.

The following is the group of the ACC Trophy:

Group A: Malaysia, Singapore, Kuwait and Hong Kong

Group B: UAE, Japan, Maldives and Nepal.