The UAE will stage its biggest tournament ever next month. Two weeks after the conclusion of the Pakistan-England series, this country will stage the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 qualifiers. All the cricket stadiums in the UAE will be abuzz with action though its bad luck for host country as they won't be taking part in this qualifier as they couldnot qualify for it.
Speaking to Gulf News, Mazhar Khan, chief administrator of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), said: "Never before has the ECB staged such a huge tournament. Sixteen nations will be here by the start of the month. They will play 72 matches from March 13 to 24. The Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, International Cricket Council Global Cricket Academy Oval ground and the Sharjah Cricket Stadium will be the venues for the matches."
The nations participating in the qualifiers are Afghanistan, Bermuda, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, Denmark, Italy, Kenya, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Uganda and the United States of America. Even the Al Dhaid Cricket Village will be used during the event."Some of the practice matches are even being planned to be held at Al Dhaid village as we have turf ground there. Oman will be the first country to arrive 10 days prior to the event. They will play three practice games against three top local clubs. This is also a good opportunity for local clubs to gain exposure against national teams," Khan added.
"Afghanistan, who had qualified for the last Twenty20 World Cup, which uses Sharjah as its base, will commence their training soon while the USA team is expected to arrive by March 8. This will be a preparatory tournament for us before we stage the Under-19 World Cup in 2014. With the excellent facilities available in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, the ECB is looking forward to the challenge of hosting big tournaments," he said.
The best cricketers from Associate and Affiliate member countries will entertain crowds. It is also an opportunity for the large number of expatriates from these 16 countries to turn up and support their teams. The finalist of this tournament can qualify for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup to be held in Sri Lanka at Colombo, Hambantota and Pallekele from September 18 to October 7.
"Seventy-two matches to be staged in a span of 12 days is a great challenge. The first qualifier will emerge after the 61st match while the second qualifier will be known only after the 71st match. The winner of the 72nd and final match of the tournament will complete Group B of the World Cup, joining Australia and West Indies while the runner-up will team up with defending champion England and former winner India in Group A," Khan added.
Afghanistan, who played Pakistan in a one-day match this month at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, is the defending champion of the qualifiers. With a new coach in Kabir Khan, they will challenge nations like Ireland, which had also qualified for the ICC World Twenty20 in 2010 held in the West Indies. Afghanistan have retained their eight players who were members of the side that won the qualifiers two years ago in the UAE. Captain Nawroz Mangal, Merwais Ashraf, Mohammad Nabi, Hamed Hassan, Mohammad Shahzad, Karim Khan Sadeq, Samiulah Shinwari and Shahpoor Zadran will lead the challenge.
Ireland have retained ten players from their 2010 campaign. The team will be led by William Porterfield, who captained the ICC Combined Associate and Affiliate team against England recently. Whatever will be the result each team have equal chance to qualify for the tournament.
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