Danube Test Series chief Anis Sajan hopes the competition can help domestic cricketers to improve their mental approach to the game, saying it will be good preparation for the UAE team ahead of next year's World Cup.

The second edition, to begin on December 17, will see nine 'A' Division teams take part in the two-day matches at the ICC Academy in Dubai.

And the two teams who reach the final will battle in a three-day final, for the first time, with the champions pocketing Dh100,000 and the runners-up Dh50,000.

Many of UAE's international players including Khurram Khan and Swapnil Patil will be playing for their domestic sides in the competition sanctioned by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), and Sajan insists it can only be good for the game.

"The aim of the series is about knowing the temperament of a player which you cannot learn in Twenty20 which is generally played more often in the UAE," said Sajan.

"It will give them the exposure of two and three-day cricket and learning how to improve their batting and the required skills to bat for a longer period. Even in a 50-over game, teams get bowled out for inside the 50 overs and so by giving them the exposure for two-day and three-day cricket, it will build their temperament – mentally and physically.

Explaining the reason on changing the final to a three-day encounter, Sajan added: "In two days, it's not possible to complete two innings but in three days, it's possible to get a full outcome of the match."

With the UAE acquiring ODI status earlier this year thanks to the popularity of the shorter format in the country, Sajan acknowledges it will take some time to see the national players in white shirts.

He said: "Test status for the UAE is still very far away if I'm honest, but the series can develop the players and help them adapt to Tests because it's not an easy format to play – it requires patience and concentration."