Mumbai: The uncertainty over Bangladesh hosting the Asia Cup due to the political turmoil there was today put to rest with the Asian Cricket Council announcing the schedule of the tournament beginning February 25.
Mirpur and Fatullah will host the regional tournament which will see the traditional sub-continental rivals India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and hosts Bangladesh taking part along with debutants Afghanistan who have got ODI recognition since 2009.
"We are delighted to be having Asia Cup in Bangladesh again," said Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chief Executive Syed Ashraful Huq after the signing of the Host Nation Agreement with the Bangladesh Cricket Board in Dhaka.
As per the schedule, the inaugural match of tournament, will be played between defending champions Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Fatullah. India begin their campaign against the home side at Fatullah on February 26. The final is scheduled on March 8 at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium at Mirpur, the ACC said in a release.
Bangladesh has been rocked by political violence in recent weeks, prompting speculation that the World Twenty20, due to be held in the country from March 16 to April 6, may be shifted elsewhere.
The International Cricket Council is due to hold a security assessment meeting in Dhaka on January 20 to determine if the World Twenty20 can be hosted there.
