Sri Lanka's Asia Cup 'opener' on February 17

DEFENDING champs Sri Lanka have been grouped with Bangladesh and United Arab Emirates in Group 'A' for the 2006 Asia Cup which will be held in Pakistan from February 16-28.

India who finished runner-up are grouped with arch rivals Pakistan and Oman in Group 'B'.

Oman and UAE qualified to play in the 2006 Asia Cup by virtue of being finalists of the 2004 Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Trophy Tournament.

Sri Lanka open the defence of their Asia Cup title on February 17 when they play Bangladesh at Rawalpindi. The opening day's matches on February 16 sees Bangladesh, UAE, Pakistan and Oman in action.

All Group 'A' matches will be played at Rawalpindi and Group 'B' games at Karachi.

The second phase of the competition sees the top two teams in each group qualify to play in a round robin system at the end of which the first and second teams at the top will play in the final at Lahore on February 28.

All matches of the second phase is scheduled to take place at Lahore.

The groupings and the match schedule finalised by ACC are as follows:

Groupings:

GROUP 'A': Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, UAE

GROUP 'B': India, Oman, Pakistan.

MATCH SCHEDULE:

Feb 16:Bangladesh v UAE at Rawalpindi Pakistan v Oman at Karachi

Feb 17:Bangladesh v Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi India v Oman at Karachi

Feb 18:Sri Lanka v UAE at Rawalpindi Pakistan v India at Karachi

Feb 19:Rest day

Feb 20:A2 v B2 at Lahore

Feb 21:A1 v B1 at Lahore

Feb 22:A1 v A2 at Lahore

Feb 23:Rest day

Feb 24:A2 v B1 at Lahore

Feb 25:A1 v B2 at Lahore

Feb 26:B1 v B2 at Lahore

Feb 27:Rest day

Feb 28:Final at Lahore - [S.T.]