acup-150x148.pngAfter 4 years, 9th edition of Cricket tournament between Asian countries, Asia Cup will be held in Pakistan from 24th June, 2008 and will end up on 6th July, 2008. For all the cricket lovers, Hasan-Online.com will be streaming live online cricket matches.

This year six teams will be divided into two groups. Group A consists of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates and Group B consists of Pakistan, Hong Kong and India. Each country will play group’s other members once, and top two teams will be qualified to second phase where they will play each other once. The top two teams will contest for the final.

In 2004, Sri Lanka host the tournament and became the champions and India became Runners Up. Asian Cricket Council (ACC) have announced that the tournament will be held biennially from this year.
On Tuesday, Bangladesh announced its 14-member squad for the series. Wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim and allrounder Mehrab Hossian jnr have been recalled while Dolar Mahmud is a new face in national team.

Bangladesh’s team for Asia Cup as Follows:

Mohammad Ashraful (capt), Mashrafe Mortaza (vice-capt), Mahmudullah, Tamim Iqbal, Aftab Ahmed, Abdur Razzak, Farhad Reza, Shahriar Nafees, Nazimuddin, Raqibul Hasan, Shahadat Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mehrab Hossain jnr, Dolar Mahmud, Mosharraf Hossain. Reserves: Junaid Siddique, Dhiman Ghosh, Rubel Hossain, Alok Kapali, Naeem Islam.

Earlier United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong also named their 15-member squads for the tournament. Saqib Ali will lead the UAE team. Other member of the team as follows: Saqib Ali (capt), Fahad Alhashmi, Alawi Shukri, Aman Ali, Amjad Ali (wk), Amjad Javed, Arshad Ali, Indika Batuwitarachchi, Nizel Fernandes, Khurram Khan, Mohammad Tauqir, Salman Farooq, Shadeep Silva, Vikrant Shetty, Zahid Shah.

Hong Kong are grouped alongside India and Pakistan, Tabarak Dar will lead the team and will bat as an Openning batsman. Other members are : Tabarak Dar (capt), Afzaal Haider, Ashish Gadhia, James Atkinson, Toby Brown, Hussain Butt, Irfan Ahmed, Courtney Kruger, Roy Lamsam, Munir Dar, Nadeem Ahmed, Najeeb Amar, Skhawat Ali, Wakas Barkat (wk), Zain Abbas.