Ahead of the start of the inaugural Desert Twenty20 in the UAE on Saturday, Paul Radley provides all the basic information you need on the tournament, including the groups, form guide, and fixture list.
Groups
Pool A: Afghanistan, UAE, Ireland, Namibia
Pool B: Netherlands, Scotland, Hong Kong, Oman
Form
Afghanistan are the highest ranked side. Placed ninth in the world T20 rankings, they are higher than two Test sides — Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
Namibia are the only unranked side in the competition, while Ireland — surprisingly, given their dominance of Associate cricket for much of the past decade — are the lowest ranked of the remaining teams. They are 17th in the ICC standings for T20 cricket.
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Read more
■ Desert T20: A competitive platform for Associate nations
■ Desert T20: Five players set to shine in the UAE
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Fixtures
Admission to all matches is free
Saturday, January 14
Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
2pm, Scotland v Hong Kong
7pm, Afghanistan v Ireland
Sunday, January 15
Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
2pm, Netherlands v Oman
7pm UAE v Namibia
Monday, January 16
Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
2pm, Oman v Hong Kong
7pm, Afghanistan v UAE
Tuesday, January 17
Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
2pm, Ireland v Namibia
7pm, Netherlands v Scotland
Wednesday, January 18
Dubai International Stadium
2pm, UAE v Ireland
7pm, Netherlands v Hong Kong
Thursday, January 19
Dubai International Stadium
2pm, Afghanistan v Namibia
7pm, Scotland v Oman
Friday, January 20
Dubai International Stadium
10.30am, first semi-final
2.30pm, second semi-final
7.30pm, final
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