Tag: Asia Cup 2025

DUBAI: Arch-rivals Pakistan and India are set to face off on September 14 in the highly anticipated clash of the Asia Cup 2025, as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) unveiled the full schedule of the tournament on Saturday.

The upcoming edition of the continental tournament will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and played in the T20 format, serving as a key build-up to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

For the unversed, the Asia Cup 2025 will feature eight teams, up from six in the previous edition.

Alongside full-member nations India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, three teams from the ACC Premier Cup, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong, have qualified for the main event.

The tournament kicks off on September 9 with a curtain-raiser between Afghanistan and Hong Kong.

A total of 19 matches will be played, with the final scheduled for Sunday, September 28.

Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside India, UAE, and Oman, while Group B comprises Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong.

The Men in Green will begin their Asia Cup 2025 campaign against Oman on September 12, followed by the marquee clash against India on September 14.

Their final group-stage match will be against hosts UAE on September 17.

Should both teams qualify, Pakistan and India could meet again in the Super Four stage on September 21, a potential second showdown between the arch-rivals.

The top two teams from the Super Four will then progress to the final.

ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 Schedule

Group Stage:

• Sep 9: Afghanistan vs Hong Kong
• Sep 10: India vs UAE
• Sep 11: Bangladesh vs Hong Kong
• Sep 12: Pakistan vs Oman
• Sep 13: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
• Sep 14: India vs Pakistan
• Sep 15: UAE vs Oman
• Sep 15: Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong
• Sep 16: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan
• Sep 17: Pakistan vs UAE
• Sep 18: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan
• Sep 19: India vs Oman

Super Four Stage:

• Sep 20: B1 vs B2
• Sep 21: A1 vs A2
• Sep 23: A2 vs B1
• Sep 24: A1 vs B2
• Sep 25: A2 vs B2
• Sep 26: A1 vs B1

Final: Sep 28

READ: ACC president Mohsin Naqvi reveals dates for Asia Cup 2025

Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi, on Saturday, revealed the official dates and venue for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.

Naqvi confirmed that the 2025 edition of the Asia Cup will take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to 28.

He made the announcement on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, stating that the detailed match schedule will be revealed soon.

“I am delighted to confirm the dates for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 in UAE,” he wrote. “The prestigious tournament will take place from September 9th to 28th.”

“We look forward to a spectacular display of cricket! Detailed Schedule will be out soon.”

For the unversed, the 2025 edition of the continental event will feature eight teams, up from six in the previous edition.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Alongside full-member nations India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, three teams from the ACC Premier Cup, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong, have qualified for the main event.

A total of 19 matches will be played across the tournament, with the final scheduled for the last Sunday of September.

India and Pakistan are expected to be drawn in the same group, creating the possibility of up to three high-voltage clashes between the arch-rivals in the group stage, Super Four, and possibly the final.

In line with the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, the Asia Cup 2025 will be played in the T20 format.

Originally, India was set to host the tournament, but given the continued political deadlock between India and Pakistan, the event has been moved to a neutral venue.

The UAE was eventually locked in as the host after ACC’s annual meeting in Dhaka, with both the PCB and BCCI reportedly agreeing to keep ICC tournaments at neutral grounds due to the lack of bilateral travel between the two sides.

READ: Joe Root shatters Ponting’s record to become second-highest run-getter in Tests

 DHAKA: The tentative dates for the much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025 have been announced, featuring a high-stakes match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, as reported by ARY News on Thursday. 

According to sources, the tournament is expected to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 8 to 28, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi likely to serve as host cities.

In a significant development during the Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) annual meeting in Dhaka, it was decided that the upcoming edition will feature eight teams, up from six in the previous edition.

The five full-member nations, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, will be joined by the UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong, the top performers from the ACC Premier Cup.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The Asia Cup 2025 will be held in the T20 format, keeping in line with the build-up to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

If the draw falls as expected, fans could witness at least two high-voltage India–Pakistan clashes, one in the group stage and potentially another in the Super Four phase.

Originally, India was designated as the host, but ongoing political tensions with Pakistan have led to a neutral venue arrangement.

The tournament’s shift to the UAE continues a broader diplomatic compromise between the PCB and BCCI, reportedly agreeing to avoid bilateral travel for ICC events over the next three years.

An official announcement from the ACC is expected soon, confirming dates, fixtures, and venues.

It is worth noting that India are the defending champions, having crushed Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in the ODI-format final of the previous edition.

READ: ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi urges members to keep politics out of cricket

The Government of Pakistan is reportedly considering withdrawing its national hockey team from the upcoming Men’s Asia Cup 2025 in India, citing growing political tensions and serious security concerns for its players.

According to government sources, the decision stems from what they describe as a “hostile and unsafe environment” being created across the border, particularly through Indian media and extremist groups that have allegedly issued direct threats to Pakistani athletes on social media.

Despite Pakistan’s longstanding policy of keeping sports and politics separate, officials say the situation has been exacerbated by India’s approach, which they believe has “politicised” the sporting landscape.

“Indian media is running a relentless smear campaign against Pakistan, and players are being openly threatened online by extremist groups,” said a government source familiar with the development.

The source also pointed fingers at right-wing organisations like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), claiming their close ties with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have amplified the security risks.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“Given the current geopolitical climate and the rising risks to player safety, sending the team to India is simply not a viable option,” the source added.

Sources added that initial reports from India had indicated that the Pakistan hockey team had been granted permission to participate.

However, the tone in Indian media coverage allegedly shifted soon after, raising further doubts over the team’s safety.

“It’s unfortunate,” the official said.

“Despite Pakistan’s efforts to keep sports above politics, India has repeatedly politicised sporting events. In this environment, the safety and dignity of our athletes cannot be assured.”

The Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to be held in Rajgir, India, from August 27 to September 7.

An official confirmation from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) or the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) regarding participation is still awaited.

READ: Pat Cummins to skip South Africa white-ball series to focus on Ashes preparation

The highly anticipated India-Pakistan showdown in the ACC Asia Cup 2025 is likely to take place on September 7 in Dubai, with Indian media on Wednesday revealing tentative dates and venue details for the tournament.

Despite India being the official hosts, the tournament is expected to be shifted to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to ongoing political tensions between the two arch-rivals.

Reports suggest that the Asia Cup 2025 is likely to begin around September 4 or 5, with the final pencilled in for September 21.

The recurring deadlock between the BCCI and PCB has led to the “fusion formula,” under which both boards reportedly agreed not to visit each other’s home soil for multi-nation events for the next three years.

Instead, their matches would be staged at neutral venues. That’s why the 17th edition of the continental event will see the arch-rivals clash in Dubai.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

It’s worth noting that the Asia Cup 2025 will be played in the T20 format and is expected to see India and Pakistan face off at least twice, first in the group stage, and potentially again in the Super Four round, depending on results.

Six teams will participate in the tournament: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the UAE. The structure will follow the traditional format of a group stage leading into the Super Four, similar to previous editions.

An official announcement from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) regarding the final schedule is expected in the second week of July.

Meanwhile, promotions are already in full swing, with teasers airing on Indian television and circulating across digital platforms.

It is worth noting that India are the defending champions, having crushed Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in the ODI-format final of the previous edition.

READ: Shubman Gill drops major hint on India Playing XI for second Test

The tentative date for the commencement of the much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025 has been revealed, with arch-rivals India and Pakistan set to face off in a high-stakes encounter, Cricbuzz reported.

According to the report, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is set to release the schedule for the six-team tournament at the start of July.

Moreover, the tournament is set to commence in the second week of September in the T20 format. With nothing official yet, the most probable date for the start of the Asia Cup 2025 is 10 September.

The teams featuring in the tournament include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Since India is the official host for this year’s event, the tournament is likely to be played in the UAE, which is expected to host the tournament due to political tensions in the region, with discussions surrounding a hybrid format.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Earlier, there were speculations that India would withdraw from the Asia Cup 2025 due to soaring tensions with Pakistan.

A few days ago, the Indian media reported that India and Pakistan will not face off in the group stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with the source close to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealing that this issue will be discussed at the annual ICC conference.

For the unversed, the tensions between India and Pakistan escalated in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.

It is worth noting that the strained ties between the PCB and BCCI have been well documented in recent years, with the latest flashpoint being India’s decision to skip the Champions Trophy hosted by Pakistan.

The deadlock eventually led to a “fusion formula,” under which both boards reportedly agreed not to visit each other’s home soil for ICC events for the next three years. Instead, their matches would be staged at neutral venues.

READ: MLC 2025: Shimron Hetmyer stars as Seattle Orcas clinch back-to-back thrillers

The Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Devajit Saikia, has refuted reports claiming that the board is set to withdraw from the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 and the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup.

Saikia’s remarks came hours after several Indian media outlets reported that the BCCI had formally communicated to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), expressing its unwillingness to participate in the upcoming events due to recent tensions with Pakistan.

Speaking to news agency ANI, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia clarified that no such decision has been taken, and the board has not even held discussions regarding any withdrawal from ACC events.

“Since this morning, it has come to our notice that some news reports have stated that the BCCI has decided not to participate in the Asia Cup and the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup,” he stated.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“Such news is devoid of any truth. BCCI has not even discussed or taken any such steps regarding the ensuing ACC events, let alone writing anything to the ACC.”

The reports cited “recent tensions” and quoted a senior BCCI official, who claimed that the Indian team “can’t play in a tournament that is organised by the ACC, whose chief is a Pakistani minister”—referring to Pakistan’s Interior Minister and current PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the ACC President.

The official was also quoted as saying that BCCI had “verbally communicated” its withdrawal from the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, slated to be held in Sri Lanka next month, and that all future participation in ACC events was on hold pending directions from the Indian government.

It’s worth noting that the Asia Cup 2025 is slated to be held in India later this year. However, Pakistan will play their games at a neutral venue.

For the unversed, the Asia Cup 2023 was played under a hybrid model, with matches split between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, allowing India to avoid travelling across the border.

READ: Javed Afridi signals ‘major changes’ after Peshawar Zalmi’s PSL 10 exit

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly informed the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) of its decision to withdraw from the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, citing recent tensions with Pakistan.

The decision comes at a time when cross-border tensions between the two nations have once again intensified.

According to Indian media, the BCCI has stated that it cannot participate in a tournament organized under Pakistan’s leadership, with the ACC currently headed by the Interior Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

A senior BCCI official, speaking to local outlets, confirmed that India has already communicated its stance regarding the Asia Cup to the ACC.

“The Indian team can’t play in a tournament that is organised by the ACC, whose chief is a Pakistani minister. That’s the sentiment of the nation,” the official was quoted as saying.

The BCCI has not just expressed reservations about the men’s Asia Cup; it has also pulled out of the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka next month, and put its future ACC participation on hold, pending directions from the Indian government.

“We have verbally communicated to ACC about our withdrawal from the upcoming Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, and our future participation in their events too is on hold. We are in constant touch with the Indian government,” the source further stated.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

This move throws the Asia Cup 2025, slated to be held in India later this year, into uncertain territory.

The latest development also casts a shadow over the already fragile framework of India-Pakistan cricketing ties.

While bilateral series have been off the table since 2012, Pakistan and India have continued to meet in multi-nation events like the World Cup, Champions Trophy, and the Asia Cup.

However, this escalating political standoff appears to be shrinking even those occasional encounters.

It’s worth noting that the Asia Cup 2023 was played under a hybrid model, with matches split between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, allowing India to avoid travelling across the border.

India went on to win the title, thrashing Sri Lanka in the final, while Pakistan failed to make it to the decider.

READ: Villarreal beat Barcelona to secure Champions League place

Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has sparked controversy with his recent comments questioning Pakistan’s participation in the Asia Cup 2025, leading to backlash from cricketing icons, including Javed Miandad.

In an interview with an Indian news outlet, Gavaskar hinted that political tensions between India and Pakistan could overshadow the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.

He pointed to the BCCI’s historic alignment with the Indian government’s stance, suggesting that if the current political climate doesn’t shift, Pakistan might not feature in the tournament.

“BCCI’s stance has always followed the Indian government’s direction. If the situation hasn’t changed, I don’t see Pakistan taking part in the Asia Cup,” said Sunil Gavaskar.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

He went a step further, even speculating on the future of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), suggesting it could be dissolved in favour of tri-series or four-nation tournaments depending on how “regional dynamics” evolve.

“It’s possible that the Asian Cricket Council could be dissolved. Instead, we might see a tri-series or a four-nation event. What happens next will depend on how things unfold in the coming months,” Gavaskar added.

The remarks didn’t sit well with Pakistan’s cricket fraternity. Javed Miandad, who shares a long-standing camaraderie with Gavaskar and has often praised him for his dignified demeanour, seemed taken aback.

“I can’t believe Sunny bhai said that,” Miandad responded. “He’s always been a respectful, down-to-earth person who stayed away from political talk.”

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

Former left-arm spinner Iqbal Qasim echoed the sentiment, initially suspecting that Gavaskar had been misquoted.

“He’s a responsible figure, respected on both sides of the border. Politics should never mix with sports,” Qasim said, calling for cricket to remain a unifying force rather than a divisive tool.

But the strongest reaction came from Basit Ali, who didn’t mince his words. “Stupid comments,” he said bluntly. “Let’s not jump to conclusions. Cricket should stay above political hostilities.”

The Asia Cup 2025 will feature eight teams, the five full members of the ACC (Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan) alongside Hong Kong, Oman, and the UAE, who qualified through the 2024 ACC Men’s Premier Cup.

READ: Saim Ayub picks only one Pakistani player in his T20I World XI

In light of rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the future of the Asia Cup 2025, which is set to be played in September this year, is uncertain.

According to a report by the Times of India, the Asia Cup 2025 remains under threat as the Indian government has taken a tough stance on cricketing ties with Pakistan amid the attack.

Due to the tensions, uncertainty looms over the eight-team tournament, which is set to be played at a neutral venue.

The tensions between the two Asian countries escalated in the aftermath of the recent Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

The Indian government is unlikely to grant clearance for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to play against Pakistan.

It is pertinent to mention that the Asia Cup was anticipated to be an important preparatory event for the ICC T20 World Cup set to take place in February 2026.

However, this purpose diminishes if two of the strongest teams are unable to compete against each other.

It is worth mentioning that India and Pakistan have not played any bilateral series since 2013. Meanwhile, both teams have frequently faced each other in the ICC and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) events.

Looking ahead, the next ICC event isn’t until the Women’s ODI World Cup in September-October 2025, which India is set to host.

The tournament will follow a round-robin format featuring eight teams — including Pakistan — meaning each team will play every other side, rendering group-based separation irrelevant.

Although India is hosting the tournament, the matches involving Pakistan will take place at a neutral venue. Currently, no decision has been made regarding the locations of Pakistan’s fixtures.

READ: ECB bans transgender women from participating in all levels of women’s cricket