LAHORE - Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Najam Sethi said Saturday the country will host the Asia Cup for emerging players next year.

Addressing a joint press conference with Sri Lankan Cricket Board President Thilanga Sumathipala, the PCB chief announced that a total of five test playing countries will participate in the mega event.

They include India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The 2018 Asia Cup will be a One Day International (ODI) cricket tournament scheduled to be held in Pakistan in April 2018.

It will be the 14th edition of the Asia Cup, and the second time the tournament will be hosted by India, after the 1990–91 tournament. India are the defending champions.