Asia Cup 2025: In a major announcement that promises high-octane cricketing action, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that the 2025 edition of the Men’s Asia Cup will be played in a hybrid model from September 9 to 28, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) designated as the primary host country. The announcement was made following the ACC’s crucial meeting held in Dhaka on July 24, amid simmering geopolitical tensions in the region.
The 2025 Asia Cup will be contested in the T20 format, aligning with preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. This move aims to provide teams with ideal match practice and fan engagement ahead of the global event.
“I am delighted to confirm the dates of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE. The prestigious tournament will take place from September 9th to 28th. We look forward to a spectacular display of cricket,” Naqvi shared in a social media post on Saturday, July 26. Naqvi, who also serves as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), reiterated the importance of the Asia Cup as a premier cricket event in the continent.
Eight Teams, 19 Matches, and a Blockbuster Rivalry
As confirmed earlier by India Today, the 2025 edition will feature eight teams:
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, UAE, Hong Kong, and Oman.
A total of 19 matches are scheduled to be played, with group-stage fixtures, Super Four clashes, and a grand finale. Given the likely grouping of India and Pakistan in the same pool, fans can expect up to three electrifying encounters between the archrivals — one in the group stage, another in the Super Four, and potentially the final itself.
India Named Official Host, UAE as Neutral Ground
Interestingly, while India has been designated as the official host of the tournament, the matches will be played in UAE, due to ongoing diplomatic and political constraints that make India hosting Pakistan unfeasible. This is similar to the 2023 edition’s hybrid model, where Pakistan hosted a few matches but the majority were played in Sri Lanka.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is working on finalising the match schedule, which will be revealed soon. However, sources suggest a few commercial agreements are still being ironed out before the final draft is made public.
BCCI Skips Dhaka Meeting Amid Diplomatic Tensions
Notably, the BCCI did not send a physical delegation to the Dhaka meeting, citing heightened tensions between India and Bangladesh. Instead, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla attended the meeting via virtual mode. This marks another diplomatic wrinkle, as the India-Bangladesh bilateral series scheduled for August 2025 has now been postponed indefinitely due to the ongoing strain in relations.
Commercial Stakes and Broadcast Powerhouse
The Asia Cup remains a financially lucrative tournament, particularly due to the high engagement around India’s matches. Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), which holds exclusive rights to Asia Cup broadcasts under a massive $170 million deal inked in 2024 for eight years, is expected to cash in on viewership, especially during India-Pakistan fixtures. The broadcaster has already begun strategizing promotion campaigns for the event.
Given the tournament’s widespread popularity and critical timing ahead of the T20 World Cup, stakeholders expect record-breaking digital and TV viewership numbers, making this edition a commercial goldmine.
What to Expect
With the Asia Cup 2025 poised to bring together fierce rivalries, emerging talents, and strategic T20 battles under one desert sky, fans across the cricketing world are bracing for an unforgettable ride. All eyes now turn to the finalised match schedule, likely to be unveiled by BCCI in the coming weeks.
For now, circle your calendars: September 9 to 28. The cricketing festival of Asia is back, and it promises drama, adrenaline, and moments that will echo through the stadiums of the UAE — and the hearts of millions watching worldwide.
