LAHORE, Oct 12: Pakistan will host an inaugural women’s Asia Cup of cricket starting in December. Pakistan’s arch-rivals India along with Sri Lanka and possibly Bangladesh will take part in the tournament in Karachi from Dec 26 to Jan 4.

Pakistan were chosen hosts after a two-day meeting in Lahore also attended by representatives from India and Sri Lanka.

India are the top Asian nation in women’s cricket having finished runners-up to Australia in the women’s World Cup held in South Africa early this year.

Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh failed to qualify for the women’s World Cup.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hosted Pakistan’s debut national cricket championship for women in March and then invited the Indian under-21 team for a first-ever women’s cricket series between the rivals.