Emerging Cup takes shape

Bangladesh will take on Hong Kong at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium (SKICS)-1 on March 27 in one of the opening day's matches of the Emerging Teams Asia Cup.

The itinerary of the eight-team tournament, which will take place in Chittagong and Cox's Bazar, was announced yesterday.

Eight Under-23 teams divided into two groups will take part in the meet. India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Malaysia have been drafted in Group A while Group B comprises Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Pakistan and Nepal.

The hosts have already started preparations and chief selector Minhajul Abedin said yesterday that they will announce a 15-member squad on March 17.  A team can include four national players and the rest must be U-20 players.

ITINERARY

March 27: India v Sri Lanka (ZACS), Afghanistan v Malaysia (MAAS), Bangladesh v Hong Kong (SKICS)-1 and Pakistan v Nepal (SKICS)-2

March 28: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (ZACS), India v Malaysia (MAAS), Pakistan v Hong Kong (SKICS)-1, Bangladesh v Nepal (SKICS)-2

March 30: India v Afghanistan (ZACS), Sri Lanka v Malaysia (MAAS), Bangladesh v Pakistan (SKICS)-1 and Hong Kong v Nepal (SKICS)-2

April 1: First Semifinal (ZACS) and Second Semifinal (MAAS)

April 3: Final (ZACS)