India and Pakistan clashes headline Asia Cup

India and Pakistan face the prospect of a rare ODI clash with each other during the upcoming Asia Cup competition.
The tournament has reverted back to an ODI event having been staged in the T20I format in 2016 to act as Preparation for the World T20 that followed soon after.
India and Pakistan do not maintain a normal bilateral relationship and seldom meet outside of ICC events due to political tensions between the neighbours.
The last meeting between the two was the blockbuster 2017 Champions Trophy final in England which Pakistan won comfortably.
The two are scheduled to meet each other on September 19 in Dubai, in what will be their first meeting in the largest city in the United Arab Emirates. India have faced Pakistan 26 times in the UAE, 24 times in Sharjah and twice in Abu Dhabi, with the latter dominating results with 19 wins.
ALSO READ: Bumrah can’t wait to get stuck into England
Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman and the UAE will take part in a qualifying tournament to determine which team will complete the three-team group that already contains India and Pakistan.
The other three-team group will be made up by Test nations Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
ALSO READ: Anderson calls Kohli out on personal runs comment
The tournament is likely to see at least two Pakistan v India matches due to its unusual format that sees two teams progress from each group of three into a second round-robin phase before the top two teams contest the final on September 28.
The event had been set to be held in India but tensions with Pakistan led to the tournament being moved to the UAE, though The Emirates Cricket Board will rent the stadiums to the BCCI who will remain the official hosts.
The matches will be split between Dubai and Abu Dhabi with the former to stage the final.
Asia Cup 2018 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)
Latest
-
News
Jonathan Trott warns England not to get ‘too desperate’ against India spinners
The duo have taken a combined 42 wickets in the series so far.
-
News
Darren Gough fears England could be on the end of another hiding by India
Gough knows all about two-day Test wins.
-
News
Chris Silverwood hopes England batsmen can learn from quickfire third-Test loss
Silverwood would not be drawn into criticising the pitch.
-
News
England players clash online over Alex Hartley’s social media comments
Hartley advertised England Women’s one-day international with New Zealand by referencing the men’s third Test defeat inside two days to India.
-
News
Nat Sciver excels as England wrap up series win in New Zealand
Sciver claimed three for 26 and hit 63.
-
News
Joe Root invites ICC to make own judgement on Ahmedabad pitch
England were beaten by 10 wickets to go 2-1 down in the series.
-
News
It was nice to bat on – Rohit Sharma defends pitch after India seal two-day win
The hosts thrashed England by 10 wickets in Ahmedabad.
-
News
Charlotte Edwards elected as first female president of the PCA
The former England captain takes over from Graham Gooch at the Professional Cricketers’ Association.
-
News
Joe Root refuses to blame pitch for England’s quickfire defeat in Ahmedabad
It was the shortest match since 1935 in terms of balls bowled.
-
News
7 Tests with the most premature endings since 2000
A turning wicket caused chaos for batsmen on both sides as England’s first-innings collapse for 112 set the tone.