© AFP
The explosive India versus Pakistan Asia Cup match will be played in Mirpur on February 27. This will be the first time the traditional rivals will be playing each other after the 2015 ICC World Cup Down Under.
This edition of the Asia Cup in Bangladesh will a Twenty20 affair. India and Pakistan will take the opportunity to prepare for the ICC World Twenty20 in India in March-April. India will start their campaign against hosts Bangladesh on February 24.
Cricket between India and Pakistan has been much sought after by fans from both countries. A bilateral series between the arch-rivals had to be cancelled due to political reasons. The cricket Boards of India and Pakistan had reportedly agreed to play a limited overs series in ‘neutral’ Sri Lanka, but the Indian government was not keen.
India are currently playing a limited overs series in Australia. Having lost the ODIs 4-1, India are leading the three-match Twenty20 series 1-0. India beat Australia by 37 runs in Adelaide on January 26. Pakistan are currently playing a ODI series in New Zealand.
Sri Lanka are the defending champions in the Asia Cup. They will start their campaign on February 25. Lanka, the five-time Asia Cup champions, will play the winner of the qualifying tournament that will feature Afghanistan, Oman, Honk Kong and UAE.
Asia Cup Schedule: Feb 24 India v Bangladesh; Feb 25 Sri Lanka v TBD; Feb 26 Bangladesh v TBD; Feb 27 India v Pakistan; Feb 28 Bangladesh v Sri Lanka; Feb 29 Pakistan v TBD; March 1 India v Sri Lanka; March 2 Bangladesh v Pakistan; March 3 India v TBD; March 4 Pakistan v Sri Lanka; March 6 Final.
Source: NDTV