Nepal’s hopes of hosting the ACC Trophy this year received a big blow as Asian Cricket Council’s Development Committee proposed Malaysia to host the cricket event yesterday.
“The Committee under the chairmanship of Mohammad Ali Asghar has proposed to the Executive Board that the next ACC Trophy be held in Kuala Lumpur in August,” ACC’s official website said. Malaysia hosted the last edition of the event. Nepal’s claim was founded on the successful organization of the U-19 ACC Cup last year.
“Malaysia’s climate is well-suited to cricket at that time of the year,” Sultan Rana, ACC Development Manager was quoted in the news. “They have all the necessary facilities and the infrastructure is there to host a tournament involving 18 countries.”
If 18 nations are to participate in the ACC Trophy, then China will make a debut in the international cricket. China was given the affiliate membership of International Cricket Council in 2004.
Meanwhile, the committee has also proposed to set up two levels of tournament for members country and two-day matches in junior level tournaments to improve playing standards amongst juniors. “To make age-group tournaments more competitive, the Elite and Plate groups be set up so there are no performance imbalance,” according to ACC.
If there measure is approved by the Executive Board, then Malaysia would host the Elite Group U-15 Tournament in May, 2006 and Thailand the Plate Group U-15 Tournament in December, 2006. Plate Group matches will continue to be 50-over games.
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