The much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025, which appeared to be under serious threat a few months ago due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, now seems back on track. While no official confirmation has been made yet, sources indicate that the tournament is likely to commence from September 10, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerging as the most probable host.
Though India holds the hosting rights for this edition, ongoing political sensitivities between India and Pakistan have prompted the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to explore a neutral venue, discarding the previously considered hybrid model. As a result, the UAE—an experienced host for multinational cricket tournaments—is expected to step in.
A senior official from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) told The Times of India that everything surrounding the tournament remains “speculative” for now and that no formal decision has been made. Nevertheless, it is widely expected that the ACC will unveil the official schedule in the first week of July.
The Asia Cup, which will be played in the T20 format due to the upcoming T20 World Cup scheduled for February–March 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, will feature six teams: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the UAE.
The event had previously faced uncertainty after the June 22 terror attack in Pahalgam and India’s subsequent Operation Sindoor. However, momentum appears to be building again, with Sony Liv, the official broadcaster, having already begun its promotional campaign for the tournament.
In a related development, the ACC recently postponed the ACC Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, which was to begin on June 6 in Sri Lanka. The decision came following a request from Sri Lanka Cricket Board President Shammi Silva, who cited health concerns due to a chikungunya outbreak and adverse weather conditions.
Meanwhile, the BCCI has officially denied reports claiming India’s withdrawal from ACC tournaments to protest against Pakistan. In May, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia dismissed such claims, stating that no such discussions or decisions had taken place and that the current focus remained on the IPL and the upcoming England series.
Despite political tensions, India and Pakistan are scheduled to face each other in multilateral ICC events, including the Women’s ODI World Cup match in Colombo on October 5 and a T20 World Cup clash in Edgbaston on June 14, 2026.
If all proceeds as expected, the Asia Cup 2025 will not only serve as a key precursor to next year’s T20 World Cup but also as a stage for high-stakes cricketing encounters in a geopolitically sensitive environment.
