Arch-rivals India and Pakistan have been placed in the same group for this year's Asia Cricket Cup, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced on Thursday.

"All the participating nations (and regions) have confirmed their participation and we hope to have a safe and highly competitive Asia Cup in three months' time," ACC chief executive Ashraful Huq said.

Chinese Hong Kong completes the group B lineup, while defending champions Sri Lanka are joined by Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Group A for the ninth edition of the tournament, to be hosted by Pakistan in from June to July, local TV channel Geo reported.

Ashraful dispelled fears the event was in doubt after Australia postponed their tour of Pakistan over security fears earlier this month following a wave of attacks.

"The Australians are unaware of our culture and they don't have an idea that no sporting activity has ever been hurt in Asia. All the teams are going to take part barring any major disaster," he said.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Nasim Ashraf promised "extraordinary security reserved for state heads in the past" for the event.

After a round-robin first stage, the top two teams in each group qualify for the second phase, where the teams play each other once.

The top two then qualify for the final. "Karachi will host ten of the 13 matches, while Lahore will host three and, since the event is played in the summer season, all matches will be day-night, starting late in the afternoon," Ashraful said.

"Karachi will host the final, while the Pakistan Cricket Board will announce the full schedule of the event in due course."

The Asia Cup, originally supposed to be held every two years, did not take place in 2006 due to a hectic international schedule. Sri Lanka won the tournament on home soil in 2004.

The first Asia Cup was held in 1984 at Sharjah in the UAE. India has won it four times, Sri Lanka three times and Pakistan once.

It is the first time Pakistan has hosted the event. The 1993 edition was to be played in Pakistan but was cancelled after India refused to tour for political reasons.

ACC President Arjuna Ranatunga, who led Sri Lanka to their only Asia Cup in 1996, said, "Being a player I was lucky to play in the first Asia Cup and now as an administrator I feel this is the most prestigious event in Asia and all the nations (and regions) will ensure to send their best teams."

(Xinhua News Agency March 21, 2008)