Lately, the schedule and announcement of commencing the Asia Cup 2018 were delayed due to political issues. The Asian Cricket Community shifted the venue a few days ago from India to UAE pertaining to present political conditions between the top two participating nations India and Pakistan. According to ACC all the participating nation and bodies did agree with this changing and are on good terms for the league to commence.
The Asia Cup will commence from September 18th to 30th with India remaining official host but the matches venue on Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The cricket lovers can again witness the arch-rivals India and Pakistan fighting it out in the league. The six teams participating in the tournament are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Qualifier. The final team will be from the winner of UAE, Hong Kong, Nepal, Singapore, Malaysia and Oman playoff matches.
The Asia Cup 2018 is the 12th edition of the game and the previous cup was won by India. The teams are divided into two groups altogether with India, Pakistan and the qualifier in Group A and Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the Group B.
The first group league match between India and Pakistan will take place on 21st September. India and Pakistan can meet twice again in the tournament semifinals if the qualifier team in group A fails to defeat the arch-rivals. Last year Asia Cup was a T20 format game but this year it will be a fifty over the game. There will be group league matches followed by Super 4 round and then ultimately the Finale. The qualifier matches for choosing the sixth nation will commence from 13th September and the main matches will start from 18th of the month.
Group Stage
September 18: Pakistan vs Qualifier and Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
September 19: India vs Qualifier
September 20: Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka
September 21: India vs Pakistan and Bangladesh vs Afghanistan
Super 4 Round
September 23: 1st Group A vs 2nd Group B
September 24: 1st Group B vs 2nd Group A
September 25: 2nd Group A vs 2nd Group B
September 26: 1st Group A vs 1st Group B
September 27: 1st Group A vs 2nd Group A
September 28: 1st Group B vs 2nd Group B
September 30: Final
