India, Pakistan and Bangladesh to face-off in tri-series

India's hectic international schedule just got busier, with the Indian board confirming the team's participation in a tri-series in Bangladesh in May 2008, also involving Pakistan. The series is scheduled shortly after the South Africans wind up their tour of India, set to take place after India return from Australia in March.

"We can confirm that India will participate in the series with Bangladesh and Pakistan," Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary, told Cricinfo. "The fixtures and dates will be announced in 10-15 days' time."

South Africa were originally set to participate in the series but pulled out, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had invited Pakistan instead. "Originally the South African team was to participate in the tri-nation series along with India and Bangladesh," Gazi Ashraf Hossain, the BCB's operations chief, told Cricket365.com. "However, Cricket South Africa (CSA) has pulled out and we have invited the Pakistan Cricket Board to send the team and they have agreed."

The three sides last met in a tri-series in Bangladesh in 1998, with India edging out Pakistan in a best-of-three finals. This series will have the teams playing each other twice in the league stages before the final.