Block the calendar! India vs Pakistan on 19th Sept

Abu Dhabi: Defending champions India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan in the group stage of the Asia Cup September 19, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced late on Tuesday. 

India will play their opening match against a qualifier on September 18 in Dubai.  

Group A consists of India, Pakistan and a qualifier while Group B comprises Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super 4 and two teams will then play the final on September 28 in Dubai.

The biennial tournament, set to take place in the UAE from September 15 sees Bangladesh and  Sri Lanka face each other in the opening game in Dubai.India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are all confirmed participants, with the remaining spot still up for grabs apmgst UAE, Singapore, Oman, Nepal, Malaysia and Hong Kong.The schedule for 2018 Asia Cup has been released with India set to play two ODIs on consecutive days.

Asia Cup schedule:

Group Stage:

September 15  Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (Dubai)

September 16  Pakistan vs Qualifier (Dubai)

September 17  Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)

September 18  India vs Qualifier (Dubai)

September 19  India vs Pakistan (Dubai)

September 20  Bangladesh vs Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)

Super Four:

September 21 Group A Winner vs Group B Runner-up (Dubai)

September 21 Group B Winner vs Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)

September 23 Group A Winner vs Group A Runner-up (Dubai)

September 23 Group B Winner vs Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)

September 25 Group A Winner vs Group B Winner (Dubai)

September 26 Group A Runner-up vs Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)

Final: September 28 (Dubai) (UNI)