India and Pakistan will face off in Dubai, UAE after drawing the same group for this year’s Asia Cup, the International Cricket Council announced Tuesday.
The last time the two rivals played each other in the UAE was 2006 at Abu Dhabi’s Shaikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.
Dubai International Stadium is all set to stage 8 matches which include final while Abu Dhabi’s Shaikh Zayed Cricket Stadium will host 5 matches.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the schedule of the much-awaited tournament. The two most popular Asian cricket giants will be playing against each other on September 19 at the Dubai International Stadium.
This year’s Asia Cup was originally set to be held in India but was moved to the UAE. India suspended bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan after the 2008 Mumbai attacks but the two teams continue to play each other in international tournaments, including the Champions Trophy final in England last year.
The biennial tournament will begin September 15 in with Sri Lanka taking on Bangladesh in the opener, the ICC said.
The Cup reverts to its traditional 50-over ODI format this year after opting in 2016 for a Twenty20 competition, which India won.
Asia Cup schedule
Group stage
September 15, 2018: Bangladesh Vs Sri Lanka (Dubai)
September 16 , 2018; Pakistan Vs Qualifier (Dubai)
September 17, 2018: Sri Lanka Vs Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
September 18, 2018: India Vs Qualifier (Dubai)
September 19, 2018: India Vs Pakistan (Dubai)
September 20, 2018: Bangladesh Vs Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Super Four
September 21 , 2018 : Group A Winner Vs Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
September 21 , 2018 : Group B Winner Vs Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
September 23 , 2018 : Group A Winner Vs Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
September 23 , 2018 : Group B Winner Vs Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
September 25 , 2018 : Group A Winner Vs Group B Winner (Dubai)
September 26 , 2018 : Group A Runner-up Vs Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
September 28 , 2018 : Asia Cup 2018 Final (Dubai)