In a country where a weather forecaster's job is one of the easiest in the world, (this month: no rain; next month: no rain) it was guaranteed the two best teams at last month's ACC Trophy would meet in the final.

No chance of the firm of Duckworth and Lewis intervening to replicate the fate of Holland at the last ICC Trophy.

So it was as the host, the United Arab Emirates, deservedly won the final over a methodical Hong Kong in the decider at Sharjah Stadium on November 24.

The UAE team, which was more representative of the Emirati population than most realise, simply had the best players with the greatest depth.

Hong Kong was the most focussed team of any at Sharjah and Dubai, with Adam Hollioake, captain Stewart Brew and co-coach, Lal Ranasinghe, dissecting the game from all angles. In the end, it was clearly the second best team but just couldn't match the UAE for depth.

Officials from the ACC and ICC were said to be generally pleased with the standard, the approach of the individual countries becoming increasingly more professional. This was due mainly to the appointment of foreign coaches by most teams and the lure of an Asia Cup place.

Superficially it would seem that two teams of mainly expatriate ancestry winning through to the Asia Cup, and with it snaring US$100,000 appearance money, does little for the development of the game.

Eleven of the 14 man UAE squad were born in the UAE, while the Hong Kong development programme is probably the best among the non-Test countries, and widely respectly by those involved in the development process, both in Test and non-Test countries. Obviously, the US$100,000 will aid their programme immensely and in a few years time players of Chinese background will take their place.

Furthermore, the vast majority of players in the Hong Kong squad are long term residents. The HKCA, due to Hong Kong's unique situation with its transient population, volunteered to adhere to a seven-year residential qualification period.

The spirit I witnessed in the Hong Kong team virtually made their origins irrelevant - they wanted to win, not just for themselves, but the team and Hong Kong.

While I have focussed mainly on the UAE and Hong Kong, there was plenty of competitive cricket played.

The UAE was fortunate to a degree not to lose its first match against the talented Nepalese, who also had Hong Kong in severe trouble before former Ranji Trophy player, Rahul Sharma, led an almost barbaric onslaught. Malaysia had the UAE in trouble in its semi-final, before a terrible run-out decision seemingly sapped Malaysian confidence and the UAE regained composure.

Kuwait, which along with Japan, provided the 'romance' of the tournament, blew a guaranteed semi-final place when it reportedly lacked the experience to take advantage of a winning position in its second Group A game against Malaysia. More later.

The organisation of the tournament was in most respects first class, with every official I spoke to pleased with the smooth manner in which it was run. An indication of this was the fact that the organisation was rarely mentioned. Like a match report without reference to the umpiring, a good sign.

The only possible area of improvement were facilities for non-local media. There were no dedicated facilities available to those media from outside the UAE, unlike the Dubai Rugby Sevens where computer and internet access was unlimited and free-of-charge.

If democracy wasn't an issue, this would be a near faultless venue for future stagings of the ACC Trophy. You know the weather will never be an issue, there is a plentiful supply of labour with a cricketing knowledge to make sure things run smoothly (which can be a problem for most host countries of the ICC Trophy) and the grounds are excellent for this level, including Dubai.

Now for the review of team performances:

GROUP A

Hong Kong
Played probably the most calculated cricket of any team at this tournament. Their tight approach meant they were always capable of retrieving a game which was slipping away, as happened in their opening match against Malaysia and the semi-final against Nepal. Good fielding team, as well as a generally good unit. Relied heavily on opener Saleem Malik, player-of-the-tournament, Rahul Sharma and captain, Stewart Brew. No other batsman topped 40, although in most cases, it wasn't necessary. Brew, the tournament's second highest wicket-taker, was its best bowler, while off-spinner Jawaid Iqbal was economical bowling in the middle of the innings. It has young players of potential in off-spinner, Alex French, and medium-pacer, Mohammad Zubair.

Malaysia
That its campaign should be perceived to end due to luck was somehow characteristic of its overall ACC Trophy assault. It began by utlising its main strengths, its fielding and bowling to have Hong Kong at 101-6 before allowing a sizeable target and collapsing in the run chase. It was then somewhat fortunate to sneak home against Kuwait to win by five runs, but still needed to beat Singapore in its final game to secure a semi-final place. A missed run out opportunity gave all-rounder Rohan Selvaratnam the chance to play a match-winning knock to guide Malaysia back from a potential 60-5 to overhaul Singapore's 196-9. It improved sharply against the UAE, with openers, Rakesh Madhavan, and Shankar Retiunam proving a solid foundation. In the UAE innings, it had the hosts in trouble at the time of the infamous 'no-third-umpire' run out decision. Navaratnam, and the Suppiahs, Arul and Vishnu, were the pick of a more than useful attack.

Kuwait
Months before the tournament, Kuwait's master strategist and captain, Taher Bastaki, declared his team would win its first game against Singapore and then make the semi-finals. Well, they achieved the first goal handsomely, and very nearly the second. Only over-enthusiasm prevented a shock win over Malaysia, when it was seemingly coasting to victory. Kuwaiti-born middle order batsman Asif Ahmed and opener Mohammad Nawaz were the foundations of the Sheikhdom's batting with both getting fifties in two of the three games. Another Kuwaiti born, 20-year-old student, Saud Qamar, also made useful contributions. Leg spinning accountant, Zahid Noor Butt, was Kuwait's main wicket taker, with seven scalps and one of the best strike-rates in the tournament.

Singapore
While obviously disappointed at not making the semi-finals, the Singaporeans achieved their second goal of giving their batch of youngsters vital experience at the international level. With at least seven of the squad aged 20 years or younger, the benefit of the Singapore Cricket Association's youth policy will be seen in future tournaments. Nineteen year-old medium-pacer, Rishi Kaul, who took six wickets, is likely to lead the attack for some time to come, while 17-year-old Singaporean born wicket-keeper batsman, Zeng Rengchun, is another prospect set to be the basis of Singapore's future ACC and ICC Trophy campaigns. Adelaide resident, Andrew Scott, was the backbone of the Singaporean batting, scoring more runs than any other player in the group matches, with a century and two fifties.

GROUP B

United Arab Emirates
It was a fitting result for the best team in the tournament. It team exuded confidence and had the performances to back it up. Its greatest strength was its depth, especially in batting emphasised by the fact it had more players (six) score half-centuries than any other team. Someone always put their hand up when needed. Lahore-born Kashif Khan and Naseer Siddiqui were arguably the pick of the UAE batsmen, in a team stacked with all-rounders. The attack was led by 21-year-old Al Ain-born Asim Saeed, a chance to play with an English County Second XI next northern summer. Mohammad Tauqeer, a Dubai born off-break bowler very handy with the bat, played a vital role, tieing down batsmen in the middle order. Good competitor. Eleven of the squad were born in the UAE.

Nepal
It was possibly the US$100,000 catch. Had poor Mahboob Alam, normally a safe fielder, held a catch from Rahul Sharma before his assault in the semi-final, it may have been Nepal and not Hong Kong facing Shoaib Akhtar and co. at the Asia Cup next year. Generally regarded as a talented team on the rise which will benefit from increased match practice on tours, as has been promised by their Board. Three good medium pacers in Binod Das, Raju Khadkha and Alam, a solid opener in Kiran Agrawal and tight ground fielders. Had it held its catches (eight went down) in its opening match against the UAE, could things have been different? With the team based around its Under 19 squad which qualified for the last World Cup, there is plenty to work with.

Maldives
Scored its first ever win at the ACC Trophy in its defeat of Japan. Battles public apathy and poor facilities back home to field an all-indigenous team. Maldivian officials are putting plenty of work into resurrecting cricket in a country where it was once the national sport. Need outside help. Captain, Moosa Kaleem, and all-rounder, Ismail Nadeem, are players who would not look out of place in stronger outfits. Stretched Nepal somewhat despite five wicket margin.

Japan
Well, where to now for Japan? ACC Trophy veterans say the Japanese show improvement with every tournament. Their genuine love of the game makes them everyone's sentimental favourites. Lack of a decent ground and debate over the future structure of the game in Japan are elements that need to be addressed. There is potential with Japan possessing more indigenous players than a couple of ICC Associate members. Climaxed their tournament nicely by reaching 1-50 against the UAE before capitulating, and then taking four UAE wickets.

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