The seventh edition of the ACC Trophy will be played in Malaysia from July 25 to August 3, the Asian Cricket Council announced recently.
Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) executive secretary Ramesh Memon was quoted in the ACC website as saying: “We would like to thank the ACC for having the confidence and trust in MCA.â€
The participating nations are Malaysia, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Nepal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and UAE.
This will be the first time that ACC Trophy will be played in two levels – Elite and Challege. Top 10 Asian non-Test nations compete in the Elite event and the finalists will qualify for the immediately succeeding Asia Cup that features India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The bottom two will have to compete in next year’s Challenge event to give spot for the finalists of the Challege, most likely to be held in Kuwait next year.
ACC website quoted ACC Events Executive KK Haridas as saying: “This is the seventh ACC Trophy and for the first time it will be played in Elite and Challenge tournaments. Malaysia is hosting the Elite; the ACC Trophy Challenge will be played most likely next January in Kuwait.â€