The Asian Cricket Council Trophy is poised for a cracking start with the two
favoured teams in each group drawn to meet on the tournament's first day of
play on November 15.
Group A major seed, Malaysia, will meet its main threat in its group, Hong
Kong at Sharjah Stadium, while Group B top seed, the United Arab Emirates,
takes on dark horse, Nepal in its opening encounter in neighbouring Dubai.
In the other Group B match, Kuwait makes its international debut against
Singapore, also in Dubai.
Should other results go as expected, first and second placings in both
groups could effectively be decided on the opening day of play.
Group A consists of Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuwait, while the
UAE, Japan, the Maldives and Nepal comprise Group B.
The top two teams in each group progress to the semi-finals, with the group
winners playing the runners-up of the other group.
For the first time, the finalists qualify for the next Asia Cup, involving
Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The elevation of Bangladesh, which had previously monopolised the
Associates' spot at the Asia Cup, and the allocation of two more places for
Associates' at the next Cup, gives non-Test countries their best chance ever
to take their place amongst Asia's elite at its continental tournament.
Meanwhile, Malaysia will make a lightning acclimatisation trip to the UAE
early next month, playing three matches against local opposition.
Keep an eye out for CricInfo's coverage of the build-up to the ACC Trophy.
And when the competition is underway, CricInfo will be there providing
in-depth reports on the day's play.
The draw
Preliminary Round Matches
November 15: Group A - Malaysia vs. Hong Kong (Sharjah Stadium)
Group A - Kuwait vs. Singapore (Dubai Cricket Council I)
Group B - Nepal vs. UAE (Dubai CC II)
November 16: Group A - Kuwait vs. Malaysia (Dubai CC I)
Group A - Hong Kong vs. Singapore (Dubai CC II)
Group B - Japan vs. the Maldives (Sharjah Stadium)
November 17: Group B - Maldives vs. UAE (Sharjah Stadium)
Group B - Japan vs. Nepal (Dubai CC I)
November 18: Group A - Malaysia vs. Singapore (Sharjah Stadium)
Group A - Kuwait vs. Hong Kong (Dubai CC II)
November 19: Group B - Maldives vs. Nepal (Sharjah Stadium)
Group B - Japan vs. UAE (Dubai CC I)
Semi-Finals
November 21: Winner Group A vs. Runner-up Group B
November 22: Runner-up Group A vs. Winner Group B
Final
November 24