Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Asia Cup will begin on February 25 at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah. Reigning champions Pakistan will face Sri Lanka, the powerhouse of world cricket in the inaugural match.
A total of five teams will take part in the Asia Cup, the most prestigious cricket meet of Asia. They are : Hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. Afghanistan are for the first time compete in the cricket meet.
Bangladesh will take on mighty India in the second match at the same venue on February 26.
The gala cricket competition will be held on single league basis. Top two teams will face each other in the final on March 8.
The first five matches will be held at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium. Rest of the six matches including the final will be taken place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
Earlier, Bangladesh’s chance to host the ACC Asia Cup was uncertain due to political crisis and security arrangement.
But Later, delegation of Sri Lanka Cricket visited and inspected the venues of the Asia Cup recently. After examining the venues, delegation of Sri Lanka Cricket give green signal. Thus it became certain that Bangladesh will stage the ACC Asia Cup.
Marking the ensuing gala cricket meet, a press conference was held at the Surma Hall in the Pan Pacific Soanargaon Hotel on Thursday.
Chief Executive of ACC Syed Ashraful Haq, Chairman of the Media Committee of BCB Md Jalal Younus spoke at the conference.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of BCB Nizamuddin Chowdhury Sujan was also present.
Syed Ashraful Haq said, “All the teams will take part in Asia Cup after overcoming the security risk.”
Ashraful Haq added that they were very much delighted as they were going to stage the cricket meet.
Ashraful also added that they got success to host the last Asia Cup.
The delegation of Pakistan Cricket Board will arrive in the city on January 18 to visit and inspect the security arrangement of the venues.
Ashraful hopes that PCB will send Pakistan Cricket team to take part in the ACC Asia Cup. If PCB will not send their team, Bangladesh will stage Asia Cup without participation of Pakistan.
Jalal Younus said, “People of Bangladesh are really cricket lovers. So, ACC gives opportunity to Bangladesh to host the Asia Cup.”
Asia Cup 2014 Schedule
Tue 25 Feb Pakistan v Sri Lanka at Fatullah
Wed 26 Feb Bangladesh v India at Fatullah
Thu 27 Feb Afghanistan v Pakistan at Fatullah
Fri 28 Feb India v Sri Lanka at Fatullah
Sat 1 Mar Bangladesh v Afghanistan at Fatullah
Sun 2 Mar India v Pakistan at Sher-e-Bangla
Mon 3 Mar Afghanistan v Sri Lanka at Sher-e-Bangla
Tue 4 Mar Bangladesh v Pakistan at Sher-e-Bangla
Wed 5 Mar Afghanistan v India at Sher-e-Bangla
Thu 6 Mar Bangladesh v Sri Lanka at Sher- e-Bangla
Sat 8 Mar Final at Sher-e-Bangla
Prize Money: US$260,000
Asia Cup 2014 Winners US$60,000
Asia Cup 2014 Runner-up US$30,000
Asia Cup Final Man of the Match US$7,500
Asia Cup 2014 Player of the Series US$12,500
Group Match Winners US$10,000
Group Man of the Match US$5,000
