Nepal, Malaysia in same group

KATHMANDU: Nepal and host Malaysia have been drawn in the same group for the upcoming ACC U-19 Elite Cup to be held from May 3 to 11. According to the draw published by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Monday, Nepal and Malaysia have been drawn in Group B along with Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain.



Meanwhile, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, the UAE, Thailand and Saudi Arabia have been drawn in Group A of the tournament. Nepal had finished runner-up in the last edition of the tournament held in Thailand in 2011 following its defeat to Afghanistan in the final. Nepal had won the 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007 editions of the tournament. Nepal had defeated Malaysia in the final in 2001, 2003 and 2005 and in the semifinal in 2007. Nepal will take on Kuwait in its first match on May 3.



Likewise, Nepal will play against Qatar on May 5, Bahrain on May 6 and Malaysia on May 8. The winner of the tournament will qualify for the ICC U-19 World Cup to be held in the UAE in 2014. As the UAE has already qualified for the World Cup as the host, the runner-up of ACC U-19 Elite Cup would qualify for the World Cup if the UAE wins the tournament.

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