Defending champions India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup on September 19 in Dubai, the ICC announced on Tuesday. India will open their campaign against a Qualifier a day before on 18 September.
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are the confirmed participants while the remaining two spots are up for grabs and will see UAE, Singapore, Oman, Nepal, Malaysia and Hong Kong fight for them.
Group A will have India, Pakistan and the qualifier while Group B will consist of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
The tournament-opener will be played between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on September 15 in Dubai and the summit clash will be played on September 28.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super Four, which will also see a round robin format, from where two teams will then play the final on 28 September in Dubai.
Asia Cup Schedule:
Group Stage
- 15 September - Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (Dubai)
- 16 September - Pakistan vs Qualifier (Dubai)
- 17 September - Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
- 18 September - India vs Qualifier (Dubai)
- 19 September - India vs Pakistan (Dubai)
- 20 September - Bangladesh vs Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Super Four
- 21 September - Group A Winner vs Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
- 21 September - Group B Winner vs Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
- 23 September - Group A Winner vs Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
- 23 September - Group B Winner vs Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
- 25 September - Group A Winner vs Group B Winner (Dubai)
- 26 September - Group A Runner-up vs Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Final - 28 September in Dubai
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