Asia Cup 2025: UAE to Stage Cricket Showdown as India-Pakistan Rivalry Looms

Sunday - 27/07/2025 04:01

Clubbed in the same group, India and Pakistan will clash on September 14 initially and again likely a week later in the Super 4 stages

The Asia Cup 2025 is officially set to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to 28. This announcement puts an end to speculation and confirms the return of the prestigious cricket championship.

Asia Cup 2025 will be held from September 9-28. © AFP

The confirmation was made by Mohsin Naqvi, president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), via a social media statement. "I am delighted to confirm the dates of the ACC Men's Asia Cup 2025 in UAE. The prestigious tournament will take place from September 9th to 28th. We look forward to a spectacular display of cricket. Details scheduled will be out soon," stated Naqvi, who also serves as the president of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Potential High-Voltage Clashes

The tournament structure places India and Pakistan in Group A, raising the possibility of up to three encounters between the two rivals. The first match is scheduled for September 14 during the league stage. If both teams advance, they will face each other again in the Super 4s stage on September 21. A third clash could occur in the final on September 28.

Overcoming Obstacles

The Asia Cup 2025 announcement follows the recent ACC meeting in Dhaka. Delays in the announcement were due to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) finalizing commercial agreements.

Government Approval Secured

Securing government clearance was crucial, considering previous geopolitical tensions. The Indian government's stance on sporting relations with Pakistan appears to be evolving, with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya suggesting openness to multilateral competitions. This shift aligns with India's ambitions to host the Olympics in 2036, necessitating a welcoming approach to international sporting events.

Tournament Format and Schedule

The full schedule has been released, featuring eight teams divided into two groups.

Group A: India, Pakistan, UAE, Oman
Group B: Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong

The tournament will consist of 19 matches, culminating in the final on the last Sunday of September. While the venues are yet to be officially confirmed by the ACC, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are expected to be the primary hosting cities.

The tournament will commence on September 9 with a match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong. September 15 will feature a double-header. Rest days are scheduled for September 22 and 27. As a precursor to the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, the Asia Cup 2025 will be played in the Twenty20 format.