The six-team Asia Cup 2018 qualifiers will commence day’s time in Malaysia, and the winner from this competition will progress to the main event.
UAE, Hong Kong, Nepal, Malaysia, Oman, Singapore will fight for the one spot to join the other five teams at UAE. The tournament will start from August 29 (Wednesday) and will run till September 6 (Thursday).
In the opening day of the tournament, three matches will be played. While hosts UAE will meet Singapore, Nepal will lock horns against Nepal and Malaysia will play against Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, the main Asia Cup 2018 will kickstart September 15. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will fight out in the series opener at Dubai International Stadium.
The much-awaited match of the tournament between arch-rivals India and Pakistan will be played on September 19.
Fixtures:
Wed Aug 29 – Malaysia v Hong Kong, Nepal v Oman, UAE v Singapore
Thu Aug 30 – UAE v Nepal, Hong Kong v Singapore, Malaysia v Oman
Sat Sep 1 – UAE v Hong Kong, Oman v Singapore, Malaysia v Nepal
Sun Sep 2 – Hong Kong v Oman, Malaysia v UAE, Nepal v Singapore
Tue Sep 4 – Malaysia v Singapore, UAE v Oman, Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu Sep 6 – Final
Asia Cup 2018
Host: UAE
Fixtures
Sat Sep 15 – Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, Dubai
Sun Sep 16 – Pakistan v Qualifier, Dubai
Mon Sep 17 – Sri Lanka v Afghanistan, Abu Dhabi
Tue Sep 18 – India v Qualifier, Dubai
Wed Sep 19 – India v Pakistan, Dubai
Thu Sep 20 – Bangladesh v Afghanistan, Abu Dhabi
Fri Sep 21 – Super Four matches, Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Sun Sep 23 – Super Four matches, Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Tue Sep 25 – Super Four, Dubai
Wed Sep 26 – Super Four, Abu Dhabi
Fri Sep 28 – final, Dubai
Players to watch
Sandeep Lamichhane (Nepal)
The leg-spinner has been on the radar since he starred at 2016 Under 19 World Cup age just 15, but this has been a breakthrough year. He has done an excellent job for his national team followed by a swashbuckling debut in the Indian Premier League.
The young Sandeep will look to continue his excellent run and bring more accolades for his country.
Rohan Mustafa (UAE)
Rohan Mustafa has been a significant name in the UAE’s cricket for quite some time now. He will have to lead the team from the front and has the capability to do so.
Most recently, he oversaw the UAE’s most exceptional win to date, when they shocked hosts Zimbabwe in the World Cup Qualifier.
Bilal Khan (Oman)
A highly-skilled left-arm seamer, who has been at the forefront of Oman’s rise to greater prominence – most notably when they reached the World T20 in 2016 at the UAE’s expense.
Their progress might have been checked at the WCL Division 2 in February, but Oman remains a threat. Bilal Khan will look to bring all his experience into the count to take his team in the next stage.
Babar Hayat (Hong Kong)
The loss of their one-day international status, after the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe in March, belies the fact Hong Kong have produced some talented players of late.
Mark Chapman now plays for New Zealand, Anshy Rath is interesting English county sides, while Hayat is their most explosive batsman. He will have the job to score bulk of the runs for his team in the Asia Cup 2018 qualifiers.