Cricket fans may witness up to three more India-Pakistan encounters later this year, as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has tentatively scheduled the 2025 Asia Cup for September. The tournament, set to be played in the T20 format, will feature 19 matches and is expected to take place between the second and fourth week of the month.
Asia Cup to Be Held at a Neutral Venue
Originally allotted to India, the Asia Cup will now be played at a neutral venue due to the complex political dynamics between India and Pakistan. While the final location is yet to be decided, the ACC is considering Sri Lanka and the UAE as potential hosts. Despite the change in venue, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will remain the designated host for the tournament.
A recent decision by the ACC mandates that the tournament must be hosted in a neutral country whenever either the BCCI or the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is scheduled to stage it. This measure aims to prevent conflicts arising from the two nations’ reluctance to tour each other, an issue that surfaced during the ongoing Champions Trophy. India has been permitted to play its matches in Dubai under a hybrid model, prompting the PCB to seek a similar arrangement for the T20 World Cup next year, which will be jointly hosted by the BCCI and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
Tournament Format and Participating Teams
The tournament will see eight teams—India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong—competing for continental glory. Notably absent from this edition is Nepal, which had participated in the 2023 Asia Cup but failed to qualify this time.
As in previous editions, the teams will be divided into two groups, with India and Pakistan placed in the same group. The top two teams from each group will progress to the Super Four stage, followed by a final between the two best-performing teams. This format guarantees at least one India-Pakistan clash in the group stage, with the potential for two more meetings in the Super Four and final, should both teams advance.
Weather Considerations and Match Scheduling
While September’s heat could pose challenges, the shorter T20 format allows matches to be scheduled in the evening when temperatures are relatively cooler. This ensures optimal playing conditions for both teams and spectators alike.
Future Asia Cup Editions
The current ACC cycle includes four Asia Cups, concluding in 2031. Following the 2025 edition with 19 matches, Bangladesh will host the 2027 tournament in the ODI format with 13 matches. The 2029 edition, a T20 tournament with 19 matches, will see the PCB as the official host but played at a neutral venue. Finally, the 2031 edition will return to the ODI format with 13 matches and will be hosted by Sri Lanka.
With the Asia Cup serving as a high-profile event in the cricketing calendar, fans can look forward to thrilling contests, especially if arch-rivals India and Pakistan meet multiple times on the road to the final.