The Asian Cricket Council Premier League is set to commence from May 1
in Malaysia, with tournament favourites Afghanistan up against Hong Kong
in the first match. The 50-over competition features six teams, of
which Afghanistan, Hong Kong and UAE have ODI status. The week long
competition comprises 15 matches, with all teams facing each other.
This edition of the tournament includes Nepal, who were impressive in
the recently-concluded World Twenty20 in Bangladesh, winning two out of
three qualifying matches. Shortly afterwards, Nepal's cricketers
boycotted the national one-day tournament that was meant to be a
selection trial for this competition, but called it off a week later.
Afghanistan enter the tournament as the team to beat. Although they had a
poor outing in the World Twenty20 where they won just one match, they
have the experience of playing against highly-ranked sides. They were
impressive in this year's Asia Cup, which they were part of for the
first time, and also toppled Bangladesh.
Hong Kong will enter the competition with the confidence of having
beaten Bangladesh, in the last match they played in the World Twenty20.
UAE gained ODI status after finishing in the top four in the ICC Cricket
World Cup Qualifier in New Zealand; they lost the finals of that
tournament to Scotland.
The last edition of the Asian Cricket Council Premier League was in 2012. The title was shared by UAE and Nepal after a tie.
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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