The UAE will take on Singapore in their opening clash of the Asia Cup Qualifier next month as they bid to reach the main event on home soil.
Dougie Brown’s side is one of six teams vying in the league format tournament in Malaysia for the lone qualification berth for September’s showpiece event in the UAE.
The UAE open their campaign against the minnows at the UKM Oval on Wednesday, August 29 before facing their toughest test on paper against Nepal a day later. They will then face Hong Kong on Saturday, September 1 before playing Malaysia and Oman in their final two league games.
Should the UAE finish in the top-two of the league stage, they will then play in the final on September 6 where a place for the Asia Cup is up for grabs.
If they do prevail, then the national team will be drawn in the same group alongside India and Pakistan in the main 50-over tournament which will be held between September 15 to 28.
The UAE will be aiming to make it successive qualifications to the Asia Cup after stunning Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Oman to earn their place in the 2016 edition in Bangladesh. Although they lost all their games in the group stage exit, they won many plaudits for the way they played against Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India.
