All the matches of the Second Under-17 Asia Cup cricket tournament, which is scheduled for a February 15 start, might be held in Dhaka and areas adjacent to the capital as the organisers failed to confirm suitable venues in other corners of the country.

Originally, the first round matches, where ten teams will be split into two groups, were planned to be staged at the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP), Khulna and Jessore.

But in a latest development, the organisers have omitted Khulna Stadium where the Prime Minister is scheduled hold a meeting on February 14, a day before the tournament begins. It was also learned that the PM's helicopter might be landing very near to the cricket pitch.

That left the BCB with only Jes-sore's Shamsu) Huda Stadium as a venue apart from BKSP. As BKSP will host the matches of one group

in two grounds, the BCB needs at least two other venues lo conduct the matches of the other group.

"One ground is not enough lo hold ten matches of a group in five days. So, we have been forced to accommodate both groups in Dhaka and BKSP," said event manager and BCB joint-secretary Mahmud UI Haq yesterday.

Talking to The Daily Star. Mahmud said they needed two grounds separating them within an hour's distance to hold matches of one particular group as he has to finish the first round matches in five days from February 15 to 20 with a break on February 18.

"The most important pre-condition given by Asian Cricket Council is that all the ten teams have to be present in Dhaka on February 18 for the official dinner. So even if we take one group outside Dhaka, they have lo be brought back for a day in between which will create more administration problems," said Mahmud adding that they were strongly considering to hold all the matches in J)haka and BKSP.

"I have one last option in Ra-jshahi. I will meet Zafar Imam tonight and discuss whether we can have two good grounds ready in Rajshahi. If that aitempl fails we will have no other option left bul to hold the entire tournament In Dhaka." he said.

"One group might play in at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and the Jagannath Hall grounds while the other group would be based in BKSP. Wc also have Ja-hangirnagar University ground as a likely option,” Mahmud revealed.

He also confirmed that everything would be finalised by today as the board is under constant pressure from the ACC to reveal the fixture as soon as possible.

Hosts Bangladesh have already been pencilled in Group A along with Pakistan, Nepal, Kuwait and Singapore. Group B comprises of Sri Irinka, India. Oman, UAE and Malaysia.

GrameenPhone has been confirmed as the tide sponsors of the tournament.