The UAE will be one of six teams aiming to continue their road of qualifying for the 2019 World Cup when they compete in the ICC World Cricket League Division Two from Thursday.
Only the top two nations will advance to the Qualifiers where the likes of West Indies and Ireland await next month in Zimbabwe.
Here we look at all six sides and our verdict of where they will finish.
UAE
Rohan Mustafa
Captain: Rohan Mustafa
ODI Ranking: 13
How they qualified: Relegated from World Cricket League Championship (fifth).
Verdict: First. On paper, one of the strongest sides in the competition. Rediscovering their best form and should deliver.
Kenya
Rakep Patel
Captain: Rakep Patel
ODI Ranking: N/A
How they qualified: Relegated from World Cricket League Championship (fifth)
Verdict: Second. Unlucky to miss out on reaching the Qualifiers but did beat champions Netherlands and Hong Kong
Namibia
Sarel Berger
Captain: Sarel Berger
ODI Ranking: N/A
How they qualified: Relegated from World Cricket League Championship (last)
Verdict: Third. Might have finished bottom of the WCLC but with home conditions could spring a surprise.
Nepal
Paras Khadka
Captain: Paras Khadka
ODI Ranking: N/A
How they qualified: Relegated from World Cricket League Championship (Seventh)
Verdict: Fourth. Lost to both UAE and Kenya in December and will need series of team efforts to continue their road.
Oman
Sultan Ahmed
Captain: Sultan Ahmed
ODI Ranking: N/A
How they qualified: Promoted from Division Three (joint first)
Verdict: Fifth. Won all their Division Three matches and while it will be a stern task it could be a bridge too far for the Gulf nation.
Canada
Nitish Kumar
Captain: Nitish Kumar
ODI Ranking: N/A
How they qualified: Promoted from Division Three (joint first)
Verdict: Sixth. Can draw on the experience of Nikhil Dutta and Hamza Tariq, who have played in Caribbean Premier League but tough week lies in store.
