Asia Cup 2025 officially confirmed UAE to host from September 9

The Asia Cup 2025 is now officially confirmed. The tournament will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to 28. The announcement was made by Mohsin Naqvi, head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Mohsin Naqvi, the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) said in a social media post on Saturday (July 26),

“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,” Naqvi, who is also the president of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

India and Pakistan Placed in Same Group: A Clash of Titans

The group stage draw has placed India and Pakistan in Group A, setting the stage for what could be three high-octane clashes between the arch-rivals. Their first face-off is scheduled for September 14 in the group stage. Should both teams qualify for the Super 4s, they will meet again on September 21, with a potential third encounter in the final on September 28. That means we could see them play three times:

September 14 (Group stage)
September 21 (Super 4s, if both qualify)
September 28 (Final, if both reach)

Background Issues

The recent ACC meeting in Dhaka was initially overshadowed by geopolitical tensions involving India’s neighboring countries—Pakistan and Bangladesh. While the meeting concluded with an agreement, the official declaration of the tournament was delayed.

One key reason for the delay was the need for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the designated host, to finalize certain commercial arrangements with its partners.

More importantly, government clearance was critical due to the prevailing anti-Pakistan sentiment in India, especially in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, a military response by India following a terror attack in Pahalgam.

Policy Shift from Indian Government on Multilateral Sporting Engagements

In a shift from past policies, the Government of India appears to have taken a more flexible stance toward sporting ties with Pakistan. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya recently hinted that India has no objection to competing with Pakistan in multilateral events, even if bilateral cricket ties remain suspended.

This shift is also seen as part of India’s larger strategic positioning, particularly as the country eyes hosting the Olympic Games in 2036, which necessitates an inclusive and globally engaging approach toward international sports.

Tournament Format, Groups, and Venues

The tournament will be played in the Twenty20 (T20) format, serving as a preparatory stage for the T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. A total of 19 matches will be played across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, although the ACC is yet to officially announce venues.

The participating eight teams are divided into two groups: