World Twenty20 Qualifiers Group A primer

Hosts UAE and Ireland highlight Group B of the World Twenty20 Qualifiers taking place in the UAE.

UAE's Nasir Aziz batting against Canada in August. Chris Young / The National
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Osman Samiuddin

Ireland

Winners from 2012, favourites again this year and the best side outside the full members. Ireland finishing in the top six is a certainty: their ambition is for much, much more. Key man: Kevin O'Brien

Namibia

They were once a power associate, qualifying for the 2003 World Cup. They finished a creditable third in the 2012 qualifiers, winning all seven group games. Key man: Raymond van Schoor

Uganda

They finished fifth in their group at the last World T20 Qualifiers, in 2012, and 14th overall. They are comfortably one step down from the top echelons of associate cricket.

Key man: Raymond Otim

UAE

Hosts this year, absent entirely in 2012, the UAE have a golden chance to make it to a first global ICC event since 1996. In familiar conditions, they should finish in the top three. Key man: Nasir Aziz

Canada

Canada finished sixth at last year's qualifiers; a similar finish now will send them to Bangladesh. With their experience, will always be in contention. Key man: Ruvindu Gunasekera

United States

Embroiled in administrative scrapes, the US are still looking to make their first big impact at a global tournament. They have some talent and an experienced coach in Robin Singh. Key man: Steven Taylor

Italy

Not as outlandish a cricket side as you might think; they finished a respectable 10th (out of 16) at the 2012 World T20 Qualifiers here, beating Oman and the US. Key man: Damian Crowley

Hong Kong

Will be lucky to finish in the top three this time. Have not managed to fully exploit a solid infrastructure, the remnants of British rule. Key man: Jamie Atkinson