Malek to lead under-17 team for Elite Cup event

Sharjah: Aqib Malek will lead the UAE Under-17 team in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Under-17 Elite Cup to be held in Kathmandu next month. Salaar Waqar will be the vice-captain of this 14 member squad.

UAE is in Group B of this tournament along with Bahrain, Kuwait and Malaysia. Nine countries will take part in this tournament, set to commence from February 2.

"The 14-member team was selected based on performance in the junior tournaments and the selection trials held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium," said Mazhar Khan, the Administrator of the Emirates Cricket Board.

"The ECB conducted trials on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 7pm inviting cricketers from schools and cricket academies. A training camp will soon commence to prepare them for the event," added Khan.

UAE will arrive in Nepal on February 2 and after a two-day practice will play their opening match on February 5 against Malaysia. After a one-day rest they will take on Bahrain. In the third match, UAE will meet Kuwait and if they can finish first or second from the group, they will enter the semifinal to be held on February 11. The final is scheduled for 13.