Asian Test tourney to spark off points race

The team that wins the final, on March 12, will be the champion. In case it is drawn the bonus points would be decisive. A coin would be tossed if all else fails.

The Point System

Preliminary round-robin phase

Win: 12 points; Draw: No points to any team except bonus points.

Bonus points (awarded for runs scored in first 100 overs of first innings): Batting: 150– 1 point; 225– 2 points; 300– 3 points; 350 or above– 4 points;

Bowling (awarded for wickets taken in first 100 overs of first innings): 3or 4 wickets– 1 point; 5 or 6 wickets– 2 points; 7 or 8 wickets– 3 points; 9 or 10 wickets– 4 points.

Formula to decide the two finalists:

The two teams accumulating the highest and second-highest points in terms of result as well as bonus points would qualify for the final. In case of a tie, the team having a better batting run-rate in the first 100 overs of the first innings would qualify for the final.

If still equal, the team that has claimed maximum wickets in the first 100 overs of the first innings of the matches played will qualify for the final. If still equal, the team having a better net run-rate in the first 100 overs of the first innings it had batted and bowled in the matches will qualify for the final. If still equal, the team that calls correctly at the spin of the coin will qualify for the final.

FINALS

Win: Team that wins the final is the ultimate champion. Draw: The winner will be determined by the formula adopted in the preliminary phase.The championshipschedule is:

Feb 16-20: India v Pakistan at CalcuttaFeb 24-28: India v Sri Lanka at ColomboMar 4-8: Pakistan v Sri Lanka at lahoreMar 12-16: Final at Dhaka.