The Asian Cricket Council on Tuesday announced the itinerary for the upcoming Asia Cup, which begins on August 27, reports ndtv.com.

Earlier, it wasscheduled to be hosted by Sri Lanka in the UAE.

The tournament was moved out of Sri Lanka owing to the economic crisis.

India, the defending champions, will lock horns with Pakistan in their first match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on August 28.

Sri Lanka will take on Afghanistan in the opener on August 27, while the final will be played on September 11.

UAE, Kuwait, Singapore, and Hong Kong will be part of the Qualifier for the 6th and final spot.

The main tournament will have six teams divided into two groups of three teams.

India, Pakistan and a qualifier are in Group A.

In Group B, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will fight it out for a place in the Super 4.