India v Pakistan would be one of the tournament highlights

The Asian Cricket Council has been forced to reschedule the competition because India are due to play a Test series in Bangladesh in April.

Both teams will take part, along with Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong.

Pakistan are due to host the tournament but weather conditions in July may mean a switch, possibly to Sri Lanka.

"There is a period between July 11 and the first week of August when all six teams will be free, so we may reschedule it then," said ACC chief executive Ashraful-ul-Haq.

"Pakistan is the only team that has not confirmed so far for July, but we are confident they will agree."

The Asia Cup was last played four years ago when Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 39 runs in the final in Bangladesh.

Hopes of staging it in 2002 came to nothing because of the impasse between the Indian and Pakistan governments which meant their teams could not play against each other.

Their differences have now been resolved and India are due to play a Test series in Pakistan for the first time since 1989 from February to mid-April.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has proposed an itinerary including three Tests and up to seven one-day internationals, which is still being considered by their Indian counterparts.