https://arab.news/ckgf4
- National squad completes final preparations for competition to be held from April 12-21 in Oman
- Saudi will play their first match on Sat., Apr. 13, against Malaysia at Al-Amerat Cricket Ground
RIYADH: After winning the ACC Men’s Challenger Cup this year and the inaugural event last year in Bangkok, Saudi Arabia’s cricket team exuded confidence on Thursday, saying a positive mindset will give them an advantage in the ACC Men’s Premier Cup beginning next week in Oman.
The team will leave on Monday to participate in the competition, an integral part of the Asian Cricket Council’s new pathway structure that will be held from April 12-21 in Muscat.
Team Captain Hisham Sheikh told Arab News: “Our back-to-back qualification for the ACC Men’s Premier Cup after winning the two ACC Challenger Cups boost our confidence. The boys are excited and ready to play as a unit, and a great team effort with positive mindset makes our chance bright to win the trophy this year.”
A training camp in Riyadh and Dammam allowed all players from the various regions to take part in sessions organized by the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation under the supervision of head coach Kabir Khan, Sheikh said.
“The boys are excited to play as a team, and are looking forward to winning the trophy and qualifying for the Asia Cup. The preparation camp has been the best so far, so let’s hope for the best. We underwent four to five hours of training every night after the Taraweeh prayers during this Ramadan season.”
Vice Captain Abdul Waheed said that the “men in green will be aiming to improve on their performance as a team in the next stage of Asia Cup qualification.”
Ten associate nations will battle it out for the title in two groups, five in each group playing against other four teams, with the winner directly qualifying for the next Men’s Asia Cup.
“To all the cricket fans, only 10-days left until the ACC Men’s Premier Cup bowls you over with cricket madness. Get ready to cheer your heart out,” tweeted the ACC on Tuesday.
The Saudi team will play their first match on Saturday, April 13, against Malaysia at Al-Amerat Cricket Ground, Oman Cricket (Ministry Turf 2).
They will play other group matches on Sunday, April 14, against Hong Kong, on Tuesday, April 16, against Qatar, and on Wednesday, April 17, against Nepal.
Semifinals will be played on Friday, April 19, a match for third place on Saturday, April 20, and the final on Sunday, April 21, 2024.
The ACC Men’s Premier Cup 2024 is the second edition of the ACC Premier Cup, with the first played last year in Nepal. The competition will serve as the final stage of qualification for the Asia Cup 2025. It features the eight highest-ranked ACC associate members, as well as the two finalists from ACC Men’s Challenger Cup 2024.
Saudi Arabia and Cambodia qualified for the tournament after finishing as the top two teams in the ACC Men’s Challenger Cup 2024 won by the Kingdom for the second year in row. Nepal are the defending champions of the Premier Cup, having won the inaugural season in 2023 beating the UAE in the final.