DHAKA: Pakistan will participate in the 2014 Asia Cup in Bangladesh along with four other nations including the hosts, India, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced the tournament schedule on Thursday which says 11 matches will be played at Mirpur and Fatullah from February 25 to March 8.
Asia Cup Schedule
February 25 – Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Fatullah
February 26 – Bangladesh v India, Fatullah
February 27 – Afghanistan v Pakistan, Fatullah
February 28 – India v Sri Lanka, Fatullah
March 1 – Bangladesh v Afghanistan, Fatullah
March 2 – India v Pakistan, Mirpur
March 3 – Afghanistan v Sri Lanka, Mirpur
March 4 – Bangladesh v Pakistan, Mirpur
March 5 – Afghanistan v India, Mirpur
March 6 – Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, Mirpur
March 8 – Final, Mirpur
The Asia Cup will be the second of three series to be hosted by Bangladesh in the coming three months including the home series against Sri Lanka and the World T20.
Bangladesh’s status as a host nation was in doubt following recent political turmoil and Pakistan’s participation was in doubt as a result. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s concerns have arisen in light of the diplomatic row between the governments of Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The ACC CEO Syed Ashraful Huq said that the tournament is subject to security clearance from all participating countries.
Bangladesh hosted the previous edition of the Asia Cup as well in 2012 with Pakistan taking the trophy following a narrow victory against the hosts in Mirpur.
“We are delighted to be having the Asia Cup in Bangladesh again,” Huq said after the signing of the Host Nation Agreement with the Bangladesh Cricket Board. “The success of the last event in Bangladesh, where the support of the crowds for all teams, not just the home nation, made for a terrific event. After what has been a particularly difficult time for the citizens of Bangladesh, people can once again unite in support of their country, their visitors and the Asia Cup, an event which over the years has held up the cause of a united Asia, the new centre of cricket.”
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2014 Asia Cup in Bangladesh
Asia Cup schedule
