Asia Cup begins today

The cricket fanatics can brace themselves for some exhilarating T20 contests over the next 16 days as the 15th edition of the Asia Cup is set to begin today with the game between hosts Sri Lanka and Afghanistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The match will begin at 08:00pm [BST].

The six-team tournament, which had to be moved to the UAE from Sri Lanka because of political and economic unrest, will follow the T20 format for only the second time in the tournament's 38-year history. The only other time the tournament featured the T20 format was back in 2016, in which India emerged as champions by beating hosts Bangladesh in the final in Mirpur.

The Asia Cup has remained elusive to Bangladesh, who failed to overcome the final hurdle thrice in the last four editions of the continental tournament. The closest they came to clinching the title was in 2012 when the Tigers lost to Pakistan by just two runs in the final at home.

However, the Tigers have since then made strong statements in the tournament -- barring the 2014 edition at home in which they lost all four of their matches. This time, Bangladesh will be led by premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who was made skipper of the shortest format at the eleventh hour following dramatic affairs.

The Shakib-led side will be commencing their campaign against Afghanistan on August 30 in Sharjah and as the skipper said, the Tigers will be considering one game at a time in their initial bid to clear the group stage and reach the Super 4.

One of the highlights of the tournament will be the blockbuster encounter between India and Pakistan on August 28 in Dubai, through which both the cricketing powerhouses will kick off their Asia Cup campaign.

Aside from the group stage game, there remains a chance for India and Pakistan to meet in the tournament two more times given they make it to the final, set to be staged in Dubai on September 11.