DHAKA: The Asian Cricket Council on Friday announced the itinerary for the forthcoming Asia Cup in

Dhaka, with India facing hosts Bangladesh in the opening match on February 24. The tournament, which will run until March 6, will be held in the Twenty20 international format for the first time and is expected to serve as a warm up for the ICC World Twenty20, to be held in India in March and April. Afghanistan, United Arab

Emirates, Hong Kong and Oman will play in a qualifying round for the Asia Cup from February 19 to 22 in

Fatullah, on the outskirts of Dhaka. That will determine the qualifying nation which will join the four

Test-playing countries, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Bangladesh will host the event for the fifth time, with all matches scheduled to be held at Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.