Gulf men’s cricket teams eye progress on world stage

April is a decisive month for International Cricket Council associate members in the Gulf region.

Qualifying outcomes for both the Asia Cricket Cup and the ODI World Cup are in play. Earlier in the month, the UAE succeeded in reaching the final qualification stage for the 2023 ODI World Cup. In the second qualifying stage for the finals of the Asia Cricket Cup, the men’s teams of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain will compete in the Asia Premier Cup, along with four other Asian teams.

Stakes are high, as only the winning team will join the five full ICC Asian members in the Asia Cup. The naming of the qualifying stages, as if each was a free-standing competition, can lead to confusion.

Nepal is the venue for the Asia Premier Cup, where vociferous home supporters will be striving to drive their team on to greater heights. The 10 teams have been divided into two groups of five, from which the winners and runners-up progress to the semifinals.

Saudi Arabia has been placed in Group A, with Malaysia, Qatar, Nepal and Oman, to be played on April 20, 22, 24 and 26, respectively. These are all challenging and experienced opponents. Group B comprises Hong Kong, Kuwait, Singapore, Bahrain and the UAE.

It is the latter team that will be under the greatest pressure to succeed, having rediscovered its form, just in time. This disappeared dramatically in the latter stages of the League 2 qualifying stage for the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup.

Seven losses in the last 10 games, culminating in a controversial match against Nepal on March 16, condemned the UAE to sixth place out of seven, putting its ICC status in jeopardy. From a distance, the reason for the decline was not apparent. However, it was not a surprise to