Pakistan's participation confirmed; Asia Cup schedule finalized

In what must come as huge relief for Bangladesh's Cricket board and its cricket crazy public, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) confirmed the schedule for the twelfth edition of the Asia Cup and put to rest any doubts about Bangladesh hosting the tournament.

The tournament will be held in Bangladesh at two separate venues in Dhaka. The tournament opens on Tuesday February 25th 2014 at Fatullah, with the Final on Saturday March 8th at Sher-e-Bangla stadium. Defending champions Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka in the opening match of the 50 over tournament on February 25.

Five ODI nations are taking part for the first time, hosts Bangladesh along with Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Defending champions Pakistan, whose participation in the 5-nation tournament was uncertain due to security concerns, have been confirmed as participants in the tournament, while Afghanistan an ODI nation since 2009, are making their Asia Cup debut.

The tournament was shrouded in doubts after political turmoil in the country had left everyone wondering whether the tournament, in which Bangladesh were the runners-up last time, would be moved to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka, were reportedly asked to get their stadiums ready and wait for the final word, but the ACC has decided to go ahead with Bangladesh as the hosts. The move should prove to be huge boost for Bangladesh, which has been rocked by some of the deadliest political violence in its history 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.

"We are delighted to be having the Asia Cup in Bangladesh again," said Asian Cricket Council Chief Executive Syed Ashraful Huq 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."

Bangladesh Cricket Board Acting CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury reiterated Bangladesh's commitment to deliver a successful event: "We have a proud history of holding high profile international cricket competitions. I believe it is a tribute to the organisational skills of the BCB and the passion for cricket in Bangladesh that the Asia Cup has returned to our country yet again. We thank the Asia Cricket Council for giving us this opportunity and every effort will be made to ensure a smooth hosting of the Asia Cup 2014.

"The event comes at a very busy juncture for us. The T20 WC is only two months away while Sri Lanka will be arriving in Bangladesh in just over a week's time to play a full series. This is a huge challenge for the BCB from an organisational perspective but I am confident that our dedicated work force will be up to it.

"Cricket unites Bangladesh like nothing else. I am sure that this time also we will see the same excitement, interest, fanfare and some great cricket on the field, all of which had made the last Asia Cup a tournament to remember," he summed up.

Asia Cup 2014 Schedule

Date	Match	Venue
25/02/14	Pakistan v Sri Lanka	Fatullah
26/02/14	Bangladesh v India	Fatullah
27/02/14	Afghanistan v Pakistan	Fatullah
28/02/14	India v Sri Lanka	Fatullah
01/03/14	Bangladesh v Afghanistan	Fatullah
02/03/14	India v Pakistan	Sher-e-Bangla
03/03/14	Afghanistan v Sri Lanka	Sher-e-Bangla
04/03/14	Bangladesh v Pakistan	Sher-e-Bangla
05/03/14	Afghanistan v India	Sher-e-Bangla
06/03/14	Bangladesh v Sri Lanka	Sher-e-Bangla
08/03/14	Final	Sher-e-Bangla