Sri Lanka - Pakistan clash in Asia Cup Tourney on Feb.25

by Ranjan Anandappa

Asia Cup Cricket... Sri Lanka will take on defending champions Pakistan on February 25th (Tuesday) at Falullah, Dhaka in the opening game of the 12th episode of the Asia Cup cricket tournament that will be held from February 25th to March 8th at two different venues in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Five Asian countries _ hosts Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and new comers to the tournament Afghanistan will form the five nation Asian Cricket Tournament.

Eleven matches will be played in a round robin -basis to the seven matches played in the last two tournaments. Afghanistan will be participating for the for the first time in a major cricket tournament.

An idea of having the Asia Cup conceived in 1983 with the forming of the Asian Cricket Council mainly to create goodwill and harmony between Asian countries.

The first tournament was held in Sharjah in the UAE in 1984 with the participation of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and India emerged victorious.

The previous Asia Cup (2012) was held in Bangladesh, Pakistan won the ‘cup’ defeating hosts Bangladesh.

The 2014 championship was to be held in India, but due to India’s tight schedule of Test matches, Bangladesh took over.

Bangladesh became a hive of Asian cricketing activity by hosting a home series of Test, ODI and T20 series with Sri Lanka and following it up with the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup in March this year.

In the 30 year old history of the tournament, 11 tournaments were held where India has won on five occasions, Sri Lanka four and Pakistan twice.

Sri Lanka will be without two of their keyplayers, Tillekeratne Dilshan and Nuwan Kulasekera, both injured. They will be replaced by Lahiru Thirumanne and Medium pacer Dammika Prasad for the tournament.

[The past winners of the Asia Cup tournament:]

1984. Won by India in Sharjah
1986. Won by Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka (India did not take part)
1988. Won by India in Bangladesh.
1990 won by India in India.
1995. Won by India in Sharjah
1997. Won by Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka
2000. Won by Pakistan in Bangladesh
2004. Won by Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka
2008. Won by Sri Lanka in Pakistan
2010. Won by India in Sri Lanka
2012. Won by Pakistan in Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup Squad: Angelo Mathews (Captain), Dinesh Chandimal (V.Captain), Lasith Malinga, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Janith Perera, Kumar Sangakkara,(Wicket-keeper), Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru Thirimanne, Thisara Perera, Dammika Prasad, Suranga Lakmal, Chaturanga de Silva, Sachitra Senanayake, Ajantha Mendis and Ashan Priyanjana.

[Match schedules:]

February 25- Sri Lanka Vs Pakistan at Falullah, Dhaka
February 26- Bangladesh Vs India at Falullah
February 27- Afghanistan Vs Pakistan at Falullah
February 28- India Vs Sri Lanka at at Falullah
March 1 - Bangladesh Vs Afghanistan at Falullah
March 2 -India Vs Pakistan at Sheree, Bangla Stadium- Dhaka
March 3 - Afghanistan Vs Sri Lanka at Shre Bangla Stadium
March 4- Bangladesh Vs Pakistan at Shre Bangla - Stadium
March 5 Afghanistan Vs India at Shre Bangla, Stadium
Marcg 6 Bangladesh Vs Sri Lanka at Shera Bangla, Stadium.
March 8- Final at Shere Bangla, Stadium.