Indian captain Gautham Ghabir said: "We look forward to the tournament and it's nice to play Pakistan in Sri Lanka. It will be a great opportunity for us."

His Pakistani rival Qaiser Abbas said: "We have a very good young side. We hope we can go on to win."

India and Pakistan play each other in the first round game at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo Sunday.

India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka play each other twice before the final on October 5.

The Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket Mohan De Silva said the tournament was part of an initiative of the Asian Cricket Council, which had provided almost 75 per cent of the funding.

De Silva said eligibility for the tournament was limited to those players who had played no more than two Tests and five one-day internationals.

The hosts play India in the curtain-raiser on Saturday.