DHAKA (AFP) - The Asian Cricket Council on Friday announced the itinerary for the forthcoming Asia Cup in Dhaka, with India facing host Bangladesh in the opening match on Feb 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 Feb 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.