ACC Trophy: Draw ensures cracking start

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