Come June 23rd, and the cricket frenzy will once again hit Asia like a thunder-bolt!

This time… It will be the ASIA CUP 2008!

Although the line-up of contestants for the glory include minows like Hong Kong, U.A.E and the underdogs Bangladesh… the real battle is a three way, horns-locking, rampage of the titans: Pakistan – India – Sri Lanka!

By no means will this event be over-shadowed by the heat waves engulfing the host nation Pakistan these days. Players and fans alike will push the thought of sweating profusely under the sun aside and draw battle lines in this epic tournament.

On paper, all three are equally balanced and a force to reckon with. Unfortunately, by sheer coincidence, the three giants are all missing their front line attackers as well!

Pakistan will have to do with the absence of controversial duo: Muhammad Asif and Shoaib Akhtar as both of them are in quite a bit of mess already as far as their career as professional cricketers is concerned.

India on the other hand will be missing Zaheer Khan and S Sreesanth sorely who will not be a part of the Asia Cup squad. Also sitting out would be ace spinner, Harbhajan Singh, who is currently serving a 5-match ban. As for their batting depertment, they will have to do with the master blaster, Sachin Tendulkar, who is currently nursing a groin injury.

Finally, Sri Lanka are without their experienced L Malinga who has been out of the squad since March this year due to injuries.

So there you have it! Let the games begin!

[ Schedule for the Asia Cup '08 ]

Group A Team Bangladesh Sri Lanka United Arab Emirates

Group B Team India Hong Kong Pakistan

June 23, 2008
- BANGLADESH vs UAE [ National Stadium, Karachi ]
- PAKISTAN vs HONG KONG [ Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore ]

June 24, 2008
- BANGLADESH vs SRI LANKA [ National Stadium, Karachi ]
- HONG KONG vs INDIA [ Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore ]

June 25, 2008
- SRI LANKA vs BANGLADESH [ National Stadium, Karachi ]
- PAKISTAN vs INDIA [ Faisalabad ]

[ SUPER FOURS STAGE ]

June 28, 2008 – A2 vs B2 [ National Stadium, Karachi ]
June 29, 2008 – A1 vs B1 [ National Stadium, Karachi ]
June 30, 2008 – A1 vs A2 [ National Stadium, Karachi ]
July 02, 2008 – B1 vs B2 [ National Stadium, Karachi ]
July 03, 2008 – A1 vs B2 [ National Stadium, Karachi ]
July 04, 2008 – A2 vs B1 [ National Stadium, Karachi ]

[ FINAL ]

July 06, 2008 – TBC vs TBC [ National Stadium, Karachi ]

Some ineresting facts about Asia Cup 2008:

-> This will be the first Asia Cup ever to be hosted in Pakistan.

-> Originally, the 9th version of the Cup was supposed to take place in 2006, however packed international cricket schedules did not allow for the tournament to be held.