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UAE, Hong Kong set to assert their authority

Singapore July 9. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Hong Kong are set to assert their authority among Asia's second tier cricket nations at the ACC Trophy tournament beginning here tomorrow.

``UAE beat us in the final last time, and we mean to change that,'' Hong Kong coach Lal Jayasinghe said today. ``We haven't come here to lose.''

UAE won on its home pitch in Sharjah two years ago, beating Hong Kong by 10 wickets in the final and ``it's hard to see past them this time. It looks like it will be Hong Kong and UAE,'' Singapore cricket spokesman Anil Kalaver said.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) tournament is the testing ground for the non-Test nations in Asia and the Middle East, with the bonus of serving as the qualifier for the Asia Cup which involves regional big guns India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The 10-nation tournament, which this year heralds the arrival of Oman and Qatar on the international stage, runs from July 10 to 21.

Making the final offers more than an opportunity to play for the title of Asia's best non-Test nation — also at stake is a potential $ 10,000 as the participation fee for playing in the Asia Cup.

UAE and Hong Kong, however, are still waiting for their payday after the 2000 final as the scheduled 2001 Asia Cup has been repeatedly deferred due to political tension between India and Pakistan.

They are confirmed for the Asia Cup when it is next held, with the finalists of this year's ACC Trophy competing in the following tournament.

UAE and Hong Kong have earned their front-runner status with the presence of expatriate players bringing additional experience to the sides.

``That's one of the reasons why they're so strong. They have one or two expatriates and Pakistanis in the UAE side, and Hong Kong's in a similar situation,'' Kalaver said.

``Under an ICC (International Cricket Council) ruling expats in Hong Kong automatically qualify to play for the side, but that doesn't happen here. It's the way ICC rulings go.''

With UAE in group A are Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Nepal, while in Group B are Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Maldives.

The top two teams from each group will go through to the semifinals on July 19 with the final to be played on July 21. UAE opens the tournament tomorrow against debutant Oman, one of the strongest sides in the Gulf but where the spartan facilities include cement pitches, and grassless, stone covered outfields. Hong Kong's first match is against hosts Singapore.

``This is a major event for us,'' said Singapore Cricket Association president Chris Pianca. ``At the end we will be able to measure ourselves against the national sides of Asia.''

The ACC has launched a multi-million dollar plan to strengthen the sport in the region, involving a central academy in Nepal with regional academies in Malaysia and UAE. .— AFP

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