Bangladesh will appear in a triangular one-day international scries along with Asian giants India and Pakistan next week in Sharjah, DAE, to raise funds for the victims and distressed of India's recent earthquake.

The January 26 quake devastated the Indian state of Gujarat, with estimates of the Final death toll ranging from 25.000 to 100.000.

The tournament will be held from February 8 to 11 under the auspices of Asian Cricket Foundation (ACF), informed Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) general secretary Syed Ashraful Huq yester-

11 will be a single league competition with teams with most points meeting in the final.

The unique decision was taken in an ACF’s meeting in Lahore yesterday with former ICC presi-

dent and ACF chairman Jagmohan Dalmiya in the chair.

"We have agreed to participate in the series as it is for a noble cause despite a tight and tiring domestic schedule that only fin ished yesterday (Wednesday). This is also good for cricket as far as the relationship between India and Pakistan is concerned as both teams will play against each other," Ashraful said.

He also confirmed that a 14-member Bangladesh squad will be named by the Board either on February 3 or 4. Three officials --manager, coach and physio -- will accompany the team.

Bangladesh skipper Naimur Rahman, who is scheduled to take part in the Test captains' meeting in Melbourne on February 12. might miss the series as he will fly off to Australia on February 9.

Ashraful said that the board was yet to decide whether to include Naimur in the team for the Sharjah trip or free him so that he can attend the captains’ meeting.

The schedule would be re-

vealed by ACF on February 4 after receiving the official confirmation from all (he three Boards.

"Pakistan and Bangladesh have already taken clearances from their respective governments. The Indian Board has sought permission from their government and hopefully they will gel it since the event is being organised to help their people out." Ashralul. who is also an ACF official, added.

He also disclosed that ACF has already asked for bids from the television companies to sell the TV rights of the four-match tournament.

Meanwhile, BCB president Saber Hossain Chowdhury told BSS yesterday that Dalmiya and Pakistan Cricket Board president Lt Gen Tauqir Zia contacted him over telephone on Thursday and he had given his consent for the tournament.

“We feel proud to stand by the unfortunates of Gujrat's quake. BCB strongly supports such initiatives and will continue to do so in future," said Saber.