India to face Pakistan in Asia Cup clash
India, the defending champions, will face arch-rivals Pakistan in the group stage of the 2018 Asia Cup in Dubai.
India and Pakistan will face off in the Asia Cup group stage on 19 September in Dubai, the International Cricket Council announced on Tuesday.
Since the 2008 Mumbai attacks - in which 164 people died and 308 were wounded - India had suspended bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan. The teams continue to play against each other in international competitions, including last year’s Champions Trophy in england.
Originally, the 2018 Asia Cup was scheduled to be played in India, however, it was moved to the United Arab Emirates following the ongoing political tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad.
India - the defending champions - will open their campaign against a qualifier in Dubai on September 18.
The biennial tournament is set to begin on 15 September with Sri Lanka taking on Bangladesh in the opener.
Asia Cup returns to 50-over format
This year’s edition will be played in the traditional 50-over format, after opting for a Twenty20 competition in 2016.
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are all confirmed for the competition, with a remaining spot still up for grabs amongst UAE, Singapore, Oman, Nepal, Malaysia and Hong Kong.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super 4 and two of those will play the final on 28 September in Dubai.
2018 Asia Cup full 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 – Asia Cup 2018 Final (Dubai)