The five-nation Asia Cup Cricket begins here tomorrow (Tuesday) with defending champions Pakistan taking on Sri Lanka in the opening match at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah. The 50 over-a-side day-night will start at 2 pm.
The other three participating countries are five times champions India, hosts Bangladesh and newcomer Afghanistan.
In the opening match, Pakistan will face Sri Lanka with a sweet memory of beating the Islanders by 3-2 in the ODI series in December, but three of those matches saw close finishes.After playing some limited-over tournaments at home, Pakistan comes to Asia Cup with almost the same squad that played against Sri Lanka last December in the UAE.
Fawad Alam is one of the surprise inclusions, but he is unlikely to play in the tournament opener. Bilawal Bhatti and Anwar Ali will compete for the third seamer’s position.
Two senior Sri Lankan bowlers Rangana Herath and Nuwan Kulasekara are unavailable, leaving the attack in less-experienced hands. Lasith Malinga and Kumar Sangakkara will return after having been rested for the third ODI against Bangladesh and Ashan Priyanjan is likely to assume a place in the middle-order.
The first five matches of the Asia Cup will be held at Khan Saheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah while the other six matches including the final are scheduled to be held at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. All matches will begin at 2 pm.
Last time’s runners-up Bangladesh will meet India on February 26, newcomer Afghanistan play Pakistan February 27, India face Sri Lanka on February 28 while Bangladesh will lock horn with Afghanistan on March 1, all at Fatullah.
The Asia Cup match will go to home of Bangladesh cricket — Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur — through India-Pakistan crucial match billed for March 2.
Afghanistan will face Sri Lanka on March 3, Bangladesh will meet Pakistan on March 4, Afghanistan will face India on March 5 and Bangladesh will play against Sri Lanka on March 6, all in Mirpur.
Two top teams of the league basis matches will play in the final on March 8 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur
Pakistan Squad (probable): Misbah-Ul-Haq (capt.), Sharjeel Khan, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal (wk), Shahid Afridi, Bilawal Bhatti/Anwar Ali, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal and Junaid Khan.
Sri Lanka Squad (probable): Angelo Mathews (capt), Kusal Perera, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Dinesh Chandimal, Ashan Priyanjan, Thisara Perera, Sachithra Senanayake, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis and Suranga Lakmal.- UNB