Cricket: Sri Lanka grouped alongside India, Pakistan and South Africa in 2017 Champions Trophy

Sri Lanka is set to meet neighbours India and Pakistan besides South Africa according to 2017 Champions Trophy schedules released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) today (1).

The top eight teams of world cricket, according to current ICC ODI Ranking, are set to compete at the Champions Trophy bash to be played in England from June 1, 2017.

Sri Lanka is slotted in Group 'A', while the Group 'B' includes hosts England, Australia, New Zealand and Bangladesh. 

The 19-day competition will also see two of cricket's traditional rivalries being staged -- with hosts England and Australia and India and Pakistan. 

The opening match will be played hosts England and Bangladesh on June 1.

The ICC has confirmed Cardiff, the Oval and Edgbaston as the venues for the competition, which comprises 15 matches.

After the group matches, the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals which will be played on June 14 and 15 at Cardiff and Edgbaston respectively. 

The final is set to be played at the Oval on June 18, 2017. 

Among ICC full members West Indies and Zimbabwe are the two sides to miss the competition, played only among the top eight member countries. 

The top two sides from each group will qualify for the semi-finals in Cardiff and Edgbaston on June 14 and 15.

Group 'A': Australia, New Zealand, England, Bangladesh

Group 'B': India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa