The fixtures and venues for the five-team Asia Cup 2014, which will be held in Bangladesh, have been confirmed by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
For the first time since gaining One-Day International status in 2009, Afghanistan will join Full ICC Members Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The five teams will play a round-robin tournament before the final between the two sides that top the group will be held on 8th March.
The opening game between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be played on 25th February in Fatullah, one of two venues being used.
The Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka is the other venue in use.
"We are delighted to be having the Asia Cup in Bangladesh again," ACC Chief Executive Syed Ashraful Huq said.
"The success of the last event in Bangladesh, where the support of the crowds for all teams, not just the home nation, made for a terrific event.
"After what has been a particularly difficult time for the citizens of Bangladesh, people can once again unite in support of their country, their visitors and the Asia Cup, an event which over the years has held up the cause of a united Asia, the new centre of cricket."
 Bangladesh Cricket Board Acting CEO CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhuryis delighted that Bangladesh will hold the Asia Cup two years after hosting the previous event.
“We have a proud history of holding high profile international cricket competitions. I believe it is a tribute to the organisational skills of the BCB and the passion for cricket in Bangladesh that the Asia Cup has returned to our country yet again," he said.
"We thank the Asia Cricket Council for giving us this opportunity and every effort will be made to ensure a smooth hosting of the Asia Cup 2014.

"The event comes at a very busy juncture for us. The ICC World T20 is only two months away while Sri Lanka will be arriving in Bangladesh in just over a week’s time to play a full series. This is a huge challenge for the BCB from an organisational perspective but I am confident that our dedicated work force will be up to it.

"Cricket unites Bangladesh like nothing else. I am sure that this time also we will see the same excitement, interest, fanfare and some great cricket on the field, all of which had made the last Asia Cup a tournament to remember."
The winners of the Asia Cup will be awarded $US 60,000 in prize money with the runners-up taking $US 30,000.
Pakistan are the reigning champions after beating Bangladesh by two runs in a thrilling final two years ago.
Asia Cup 2014 Fixtures
25th February: Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Fatullah
26th February: Bangladesh v India, Fatullah
27th February: Afghanistan v Pakistan, Fatullah
28th February: India v Sri Lanka, Fatullah
1st March: Bangladesh v Afghanistan, Fatullah
2nd March: India v Pakistan, Sher-e-Bangla
3rd March: Afghanistan v Sri Lanka, Sher-e-Bangla
4th March: Bangladesh v Pakistan, Sher-e-Bangla
5th March: Afghanistan v India, Sher-e-Bangla
6th March: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, Sher-e-Bangla
8th March: Final, Sher-e-Bangla

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