The 2025 Asia Cup (Men’s) is officially scheduled to run from September 9 to September 28, hosted by India under the jurisdiction of the Asian Cricket Council, but played entirely at neutral venues in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Dates: September 9–28, 2025 – confirmed by the ACC and widely reported
Venue: Held in the UAE, likely across iconic cricket centres such as Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi. The ACC’s decision follows political tensions, ensuring both India and Pakistan participate under a neutral flag
Format: Full T20 International format with eight teams, expanded from six, playing a total of 19 matches
Structure: Two groups (Group A & B), each with four teams. Top two from each group progress to a Super Four round-robin. The top two of Super Four advance to the final on September 28
Automatic entrants: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan.
Qualifier teams: UAE, Oman, Hong Kong – emerged from the 2024 ACC Premier Cup
Group A: India, Pakistan, UAE, Oman
Group B: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Hong Kong
This group distribution sets the stage for some early high‑stakes clashes—and potentially one shock victory or two.
One of the most compelling narratives is the India‑Pakistan rivalry, potentially playing out up to three times:
Group stage match: slated for September 14
Super Four round: if both qualify
Possible final showdown: on September 28
This marks the first-ever possible multi‑clash scenario at three stages in Asia Cup history. Globally watched characters like Rohit Sharma, Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Shubman Gill, and Hardik Pandya will be centre stage if all matches materialize.
Played in T20 format to prepare teams for the ICC T20 World Cup co‑hosted by India and Sri Lanka next year
It gives teams an opportunity to test strategic line-ups and player form under tournament pressure.
This is the largest-ever edition of Asia Cup—eight teams and 19 matches—designed both to increase inclusivity and competitive reach across associate nations in Asia
This tournament could spotlight players such as Rinku Singh (India), Towhid Hridoy (Bangladesh), and Noor Ahmad (Afghanistan), who might shine at a high-stakes global platform
Asia Cup T20I performances carry weight in ICC rankings, which matter especially for teams like Afghanistan and Bangladesh looking to climb the T20 ladder
Pakistan – Seeking redemption and consistency. Their unpredictability in T20 makes them a dangerous opposition, even away from home conditions
Below is the detailed match schedule as compiled from multiple sources:
| Match No. | Fixture | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Afghanistan vs Hong Kong | Sept 9 |
| 2 | India vs UAE | Sept 10 |
| 3 | Bangladesh vs Hong Kong | Sept 11 |
| 4 | Pakistan vs Oman | Sept 12 |
| 5 | Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka | Sept 13 |
| 6 | India vs Pakistan | Sept 14 |
| 7 | Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong | Sept 15 |
| 8 | Pakistan vs UAE | Sept 17 |
| 9 | Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan | Sept 18 |
| 10 | India vs Oman | Sept 19 |
| ... | Super Four Matches | Sept 20–27 |
| Final | Super Four Top 2 | Sept 28 |
1. India and Pakistan Playing at Neutral Venue: A mutual agreement to only meet at neutral grounds until at least 2027 has forced ACC’s relocation to UAE—a controversial but practical solution amidst diplomatic strain
BCCI’s Position Misreported: Earlier reports claimed India might withdraw, but BCCI officially rejected such rumours and affirmed full participation has been confirmed
Economic Stakes High: For Pakistan Cricket Board, cancellation or relocation uncertainty could risk revenue losses up to ₹880 crore, highlighting commercial pressures tied to the event
The Asia Cup 2025 is shaping up as more than just a cricket tournament—it’s:
A strategic litmus test for teams ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026
A platform for rising nations, elevating UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong’s profiles
A potential historic showdown: India and Pakistan going head‑to‑head not once, but possibly thrice
A blend of seasoned stars and emerging talent, offering storylines galore for fans and selectors alike
As the tournament progresses through group stages, Super Four, and culminates in a grand final on September 28, expect high-voltage cricket, shifting momentum, and memorable moments that resonate far beyond the boundaries.
Stay tuned—and let the cricket fever ignite across the continent!