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Asia's giants clash today

Dhaka gets its first taste of Test cricket since 1969 today, when the final of the first Asian Test Championship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka begins at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Humayun Rashid Chowdhury, Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad, will inaugurate the five-day final at 9:30 am (BST). Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to hand over the trophy at the end of world's first ever Test Championship final on March 16.

Bangladesh Television and satellite channel Star Sports will telecast the match live, which is the first Test match being played at a neutral venue.

Pakistan secured their final berth by beating India at Calcutta's Eden Gardens last month and drawing against Sri Lanka later at Lahore. Sri Lanka edged India out by gaining one extra bonus point from their two drawn games.

Pakistan, led by Wasim Akram, arrived on Tuesday morning and had two complete practice sessions on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Sri Lanka led by Aravinda de Silva arrived on Wednesday, and could avail only one practice session yesterday morning before today's match.

The match will be officiated by two neutral umpires -- David Shepherd of England and Douglas Cowie of New Zealand. VK Ramaswami of India has been appointed as the third umpire while former West Indian cricketer Cammie Smith will act as match commissioner.

The match will be played everyday in three sessions. The lunch break will be from 11:30 am to 12:10 pm while the tea break will be from 2:10 pm to 2:30 pm.