Qatar will take on Cayman Islands in their opening match of ICC World League Division 5, according to details revealed by the International Cricket Council for the eight-nation tournament to be played in South Africa in September.

Qatar have been placed in Group A in the competition, which also includes Italy and Guemsey while Group B comprises Jersey, Vanuatu and Ghana with one team from European qualifiers also to join the group.

The Al Anabi’s opening match is scheduled on September 3 before their clash against Italy the following day.

Qatar will play their last group match on September 6 against Guemsey with the final of the tournament penciled in on September 9.

The Inam-ul-Haq side got promotion to the group after they clinched the World Cricket League Asia Division 1 earlier this month in Thailand. It was the first major title win by Qatar, which came after a consistent performance from the side, which saw them winning five of their six matches.

Qatar’s vice-captain Mohammed Rizlan who played key role in the triumph said the national team will be looking for a repeat of their Thailand performance in South Africa.
“ It (Thailand title) was just the start as we are determined to win more laurels at international stage,” Rizlan told The Peninsula.

“ Definitely, the South Africa tournament will be tougher than the previous challenge and we will have to do the preparations accordingly,” he added.

After coming from Thailand, most of the Qatar’s national players have been engaged in the ongoing Qatar Airways Division A Twenty20 tournament with their respective clubs.
Rizlan, who will lead his team – Galfar Al Misnad – to their third consecutive final in the tournament on Friday said the event was keeping the players busy.

“We will also have training sessions after the tournament. We will continue our training during Ramadan,” he said before informing that plan for the preparations will be finalised on May 25 in a team meeting.

“The meeting will also be attended by the top cricket officials. There may be international series or friendly games as part of our preparations for the ICC tournament,” Rizlan added.

IMAGE: Members of Qatar cricket team pose for a group photo along with the top Qatar’s cricket officials at Hamad International Airport, in this May 2, 2017 file photo.

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