Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) has published the fixtures for the 15th SAFF Championship, with Nepal’s participation still uncertain due to the ongoing suspension of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) by FIFA.
Bangladesh is hosting the tournament. The matches will be played in Dhaka from November 5 to 17.
The opening match will see nine-time champions India take on Pakistan at 3:45 p.m. on November 5. Hosts Bangladesh will face Bhutan at 8:15 p.m. on the same day.
Nepal is currently suspended by FIFA due to alleged government interference in ANFA’s affairs.
The teams were drawn into groups at a ceremony in Thimphu, Bhutan, on August 1. According to the SAFF Secretariat, Nepal was placed in Group A alongside hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan, subject to the lifting of its suspension by September 30.
The fixtures published on Tuesday exclude Nepal. However, SAFF has said that it will issue a revised schedule if Nepal’s suspension is lifted and the country is cleared to participate in the championship by November 4.
Group B consists of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals following a single round-robin group stage.
