The UAE’s chances of qualifying for the ICC World Twenty20 look bright. — AFP file

Dubai — When asked about the UAE’s chances of qualifying for the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier this month UAE coach Aqib Javed was realistic in his reply before the team left for the UK in June.

“We are definitely the better side than most for the qualifying event which has 14 teams this time. We made it as one of the six for the Bangladesh Twenty20 World Cup in 2014 and the chances remain the same this time in Scotland” Javed told us before the team left for British shores.

On July 9 the second seeded Group B side UAE play fourth rated Scotland at the Grange in Edinburgh in the tournament opener of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier. The ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2015 will be staged across eight Ireland and Scotland venues from July 9 to 26.

The Scots have been impressive in their buildup so far this season in all versions of the sport. Skipper Preston Mommsen will lead a side in an attempt to qualify for the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 with a recent 2-0 whitewash of defending champs Ireland in June.

The return of experienced Kyle Coetzer is something the Scots will further be taking advantage of. The prolific all-rounder Josh Davey Craig Wallace and George Munsey will be the mainstays of Scotland in their bid win the qualifying title for the first time.

Experienced allrounder Mohammad Tauqir will certainly miss the dependable former skipper Khurram Khan who retired in June after the Intercontinental Cup fixture against Ireland in Dublin. But with players of the caliber and experience like Amjad Javed Shaiman Anwar Mohammad Naveed and left arm paceman Manjula Guruge available to assist him in his cause Tauqir’s chances look good too.

Ireland and Nepal the fastest improving sides among the second tier of the sport are the top two seeded teams of Group A for the qualifiers with Dublin as the main playing base.

Afghanistan who impressed during ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 face the Netherlands in the second game of the opening day’s double-header. They have a new skipper in Asghar Stanikzai who takes over from Mohammad Nabi. Afghanistan won the 2010 competition and look good material to run champs Ireland close.

The Gulf this time has another representative — Oman as the seventh rated Group B side. Led by Sultan Ahmed Oman have the reliable left arm spinner Ajay Lalcheta and Munis Ansari to steer the bowling attack while Jatinder Singh is a positive batsman at the top of the order. Oman opens its account against Kenya in Myreside Edinburgh on Saturday July 11.

The top six sides from the 18-day tournament during which 51 matches will be played will join the 10 Full Members for the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 which will be held from March 11 to April 3 2016.

The UAE played two 50-overs-a-side World Cricket Championship League matches against Kenya in Southampton last week winning the first one and losing the next two days later. The UAE’s next round of official warmups begin on July 6.