Pak to host 9th Asia Cup Cricket Tournament 2006
ACC announces itinerary - Pakistan, India in same group

KUALA LUMPUR—Pakistan and India have been grouped together for the 2006 Asia Cup Cricket Tournament to be held in Pakistan in February.
Last year’s runner-up India, Pakistan and Oman are in Group B while Group A comprises Bangladesh, defending champions Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to the fixtures released here by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) here Wednesday.
India and Pakistan will clash in a league match in Karachi Feb 18. “The ACC have confirmed that the ninth Asia Cup will be held in Pakistan from Feb 16 to 28, 2006. There is a reserve day for the final, if needed, on March 1”, ACC said here in a statement.
Oman and the UAE qualified for the Asia Cup by virtue of being finalists in the 2004 ACC Trophy, which is played among non-Test playing Asian nations.
According to the tournament format, two teams with maximum points in each group will advance to the second stage, where all four teams will play each other.
Then, the two teams with maximum points will clash in the final at Lahore Feb 28. March 1 has been earmarked as the reserve day for the final.
The preliminary matches will be played in Rawalpindi and Karachi with the latter rounds and the final being played in Lahore.
“The Asia Cup has always been a landmark event in Asia. It brings together the strength of our countries and stands as an inspiration to all our associate members as it gives them the opportunity to play at the highest level,” said ACC President Jagmohan Dalmiya.
“The Asia Cup has always been closely contested and I anticipate that this tournament will do much to further increase the public’s interest in cricket,” he said.

Schedule

Feb 16: Bangladesh vs UAE in Rawalpindi and Pakistan vs Oman in Karachi.
Feb 17: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi and India vs Oman in Karachi.
Feb 18: Pakistan vs India in Karachi and Sri Lanka vs UAE in Rawalpindi.
Feb 19: Rest day.
Feb 20: A2 vs B2 in Lahore.
Feb 21: A1 vs B1 in Lahore.
Feb 22: A1 vs A2 in Lahore.
Feb 23: Rest day.
Feb 24: A2 vs B1 in Lahore.
Feb 25: A1 vs B2 in Lahore.
Feb 26: B1 vs B2 in Lahore.
Feb 27: Rest day.
Feb 28: Final in Lahore.
Mar 1: Reserve day.
Note: A1: First finishing team in Group A league, A2: First finishing team in Group A, B1: First finishing team in Group B, B2: Second finishing team in Group B

.—Agencies