DUBAI (Kashmir English): The Asia Cup 2025 is set to begin on September 4 or 5 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with Pakistan and India expected to play against each other “likely” on September 7, Indian media reported on Wednesday.
The T-20-format event will mark the 17th edition of the Asia Cup, beginning with a group stage before moving to a super-four round. The participating teams include Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and the UAE.
UAE to host Asia Cup
According to Asia Cup’s website, recent Pak-India political tensions made UAE the frontrunner to host the event or serve as part of a hybrid hosting model. The multi-nation tournament was initially planned to be hosted solely by India.
According to the Indian media report, the two teams could also see a second match on September 14, depending on how the teams progress.
It further said that all the participating teams are currently in the process of getting approvals from their respective governments, adding that promotional activities for the tournament are already underway.
The recent India-Pakistan conflict briefly cast a shadow on this year’s event, with speculation that India would pull out of the tournament. The BCCI later termed the report as “speculative and imaginary”, according to the Press Trust of India.
India is going to host the women’s 50-overs World Cup later this year, but Pakistan will play all their matches in Sri Lanka under an ICC-brokered arrangement.
Cricket between the two nations has been suspended since 2013, who play each other only in multi-team events.
India also refused to travel to Pakistan for this year’s Champions Trophy and played all their matches, including the March 9 final, in Dubai.
In 2023, Pakistan was the official host, India opted to play all of its matches in Sri Lanka under a hybrid hosting arrangement.
As per the media report, the final of the tournament will take place on September 21.
