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Islamabad, Dec 6: The four-nation Asia Cup will be contested from May 27 to June 5, 2000, at Dhaka, Bangladesh, it was announced here at the end of Asian Cricket Council meeting here on Monday.

The decisions taken on the nine-point agenda meeting was announced in a press conference by ACC Secretary Zakir Hussain Syed. Delegates from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were also present at the briefing. PCB ad hoc committee chairman, Dr Zafar Altaf, had to rush to Karachi for some urgent work and was not present at the briefing. On the absence of India, it was stated that few urgent meetings at home kept them away from the meeting. It was stated that Mr Lele had nominated Mr Roundga to attend the meeting here, but he too could not make.

It was stated that the Indian and Sri Lankan desire to finalise a time-period vacant to them was unanimously agreed upon here in the ACC meeting that went on for two hours. Cricket boards of both countries had expressed reservations over holding the event in early May due to their tight international schedule.

The tournament starting with Bangladesh-Sri Lanka match on May 27 will lead to the final on June 4 with the next day reserved in case of rain. It was stated that although, there are chances of rain during that period but fingers will be kept crossed. All the matches will be played day and night with two hours time available to take care of dew factor.

It was stated that tight international scheduled had left no other time-period vacant but to hold the event in May-June, which will be quite testing for the players.

The meeting chaired by Dr Zafar Altaf, decided to experiment with white balls made by Grey of Cambridge. However Pakistan will be provide a second option to the expensive Australian Kookaburra. It was stated that each playing country will be sent a dozen Grey white balls to experiment and report their recommendations by April before a final decision was taken on that account.

The umpires panel will include two umpires each from Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka whereas one umpire will be from Bangladesh. One match referee each from Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka will be nominated for the tournament.

The technical committee for the Asia Cup will include representative from each participating country. Pakistan has already nominated Intikhab Alam, and others have been informed to submit the names within 15 days.

It was stated that all participating countries will bear the expenses for the participation, travelling and clothing of its teams which will be later repaid by the organisers. The organisers have demanded a down payment of one hundred and fifty thousand US dollars for arrangements of the event according to a rough estimate given at the meeting. It was stated that as soon as Sri Lanka, which held the ACC chair prior to Pakistan, transfers the funds to Pakistan, it will be forthwith transferred to Bangladesh.

Another important decision taken at the meeting was allocation of 2001 Asia Cup to Pakistan to be held at Karachi. Pakistan missed out on holding the event on its original turn due to various reasons. The next year's Asia Cup at Dhaka's National Banga Baandhu Cricket Stadium is being held after a lapse of one year.

For the 2001 Asia Cup, it was decided that a replacement country will be allowed to enter in the competition in case a country cannot participate.

The meeting agreed upon a whole range of enhanced monetary fees and benefits for teams and officials. The winners purse will be USD 30,000, runners-up USD 20,000, match-of-tournament USD 5,000, match of match (preliminary round) USD 1,000, man of match (final) USD 2,000. Match participation fee (preliminary round) winners USD 1,500, losers USD 1,000. Match referee USD 1,2000, umpires USD 1,000 per match to bring it at par with ICC match fees to officials.

The meeting decided to sought recommendations from members boards for holding the inter-school competitions and enhancement of coaching standards at the Asian levels.

The meeting was attended by Mehmudul Haque, joint secretary of Bangladesh Cricket Board, Sidath Whittemuny, delegate from Sri Lanka, Comdr M. A Jillani, representative of TWI, Dr Zafar Atlaf, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board ad hoccommittee and others.

Mehmudul Haque, delegate from Bangladesh, said that all arrangements are in order to host the event in a befitting manner and the Bangladeshi crowd was anxiously awaiting to see the favourite teams in action. "Cricket is a unifying force in my country," he said.

ASIA CUP 2000 SCHEDULE: May 27 (Saturday) Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, May 28 (Sunday) Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, May 29 (Monday) Bangladesh vs Pakistan, May 30 (Tuesday) Sri Lanka vs India, May 31 (Wednesday) India vs Bangladesh, June 1 (Thursday) rest day, June 2 (Friday) India vs Pakistan, June 3 (Saturday) rest day, June 4 (Sunday) final, June 5 (Monday) reserve day.

© Dawn