KARACHI: Pakistan are set to start their title defence in the fourth Asian Champions Trophy which kicks off in the Malaysian city of Kuantan on Oct 20.

The six-team competition will also feature hosts Malaysia, India, South Korea, China, and Japan.

Pakistan, in their opening match, will take on Malaysia on the first day of the event before they face Korea in their second match on the following day.

The Green Shirts will clash with arch rivals India on Oct 23 followed by their match against Japan on Oct 25 and against China on Oct 27.

The competition will be played on a round robin format. The league matches will be followed by semi-finals, final and playoff matches.

Schedule:

Oct 20: Malaysia v Pakistan; India v Japan

Oct 21: Pakistan v South Korea; Malaysia v China

Oct 22: India v South Korea, China v Japan

Oct 23: India v Pakistan; Malaysia v Japan

Oct 24: South Korea v China

Oct 25: Pakistan v Japan; India v China

Oct 26: South Korea v Japan; Malaysia v India

Oct 27: Pakistan v China; South Korea v Malaysia

Oct 28: Rest Day

Oct 29: 5th-6th position match; semi-finals

Oct 30: 3rd-4th position playoff; final.

Published in Dawn, October 15th, 2016