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Asian Cricket Council (ACC) members who attended the annual general meeting at the Colombo Hilton yesterday, said they had merged their development plans with those of the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the region.

Outgoing ACC president Thilanga Sumathipala said the ICC had drawn up a 635,000 pounds sterling development plan for this year and had already contributed 225,000 pounds sterling, which he insisted was insufficient.

``The funding is totally inadequate especially for an underprivileged region where playing cricket is a luxury. In terms of assistance we would like to see more coming our way,'' he said.

Representatives of the ACC also called for more money to turn the region into the world's best in two years.

``We want to be the best cricket playing region in the world by 2002,'' said Sumathipala. He also said the ACC will have a new constitution in six months and appoint a new chief executive officer.

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Hossain Chowdhury said his Board was hoping to bid for the 2011 Word Cup with the help of other Asian members.

``It is time that Asia gets a chance to host the World Cup. We are getting the support of the other Asian members to pool our resources and host the event,'' said Chowdhury.

Sumathipala handed over the ACC presidentship to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mujeeb-ur-Rehman with Khalid Aziz also of the PCB taking over the secretary post from Saliya Ahangama.

It was announced the seventh Asia Cup tournament will be held in Bangladesh from April 2-17, 2000. Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will participate. Future tournaments will include six countries with Bangladesh automatically qualifying on the strength of being given one-day official status by the ICC. The winners and runner-up of the ACC trophy tournament will also qualify to play in the Asia Cup.