Post by : Layla Badr
Photo: PTI
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has officially confirmed that the 2025 edition of the Men’s Asia Cup will be held from September 9 to September 28, 2025. The announcement was made by Mohsin Naqvi, the current President of the ACC and Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The decision came after a high-level meeting held by the ACC on July 24 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
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Tournament Format: T20 Matches In Line With World Cup Preparation
The Asia Cup 2025 will be played in the T20 format, which means each team will play 20 overs per side. This format has been chosen to help teams get ready for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Playing in the same format before the World Cup will give the participating teams a chance to test their strategies, players, and performances under similar conditions.
Venue And Hosting: UAE To Host, India Is Official Host On Paper
While the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be the physical host of the matches, India has been named the official host of the tournament. This arrangement is part of a hybrid model, where the hosting responsibilities are shared. This method has been used in past tournaments too, especially when political or diplomatic issues make it difficult for teams to travel.
India, even though it won’t be hosting matches on its soil, will play a major role in organising the schedule and finalising commercial deals. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is in charge of drafting the match schedule, although some business-related discussions are still ongoing.
Mohsin Naqvi’s Official Statement
Mohsin Naqvi shared his excitement about the tournament on July 26 through a social media post. He said: “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 of the full schedule will be out soon.”
His statement shows that the ACC is focused on making this tournament a big success and is expecting a thrilling few weeks of cricket action.
Participating Teams: Eight Nations Competing
This year’s edition of the Asia Cup will have eight teams taking part. These include:
India
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
Afghanistan
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Hong Kong
Oman
These teams come from across the Asian continent, making the tournament diverse and exciting. Each team brings its own style of play and fan following, ensuring that every match will be entertaining.
Number of Matches And India-Pakistan Clashes
According to reports, a total of 19 matches will be played in the Asia Cup 2025. The tournament format and groups have not been officially released yet, but it is very likely that India and Pakistan will be in the same group. If that happens, fans could witness:
One India vs Pakistan match in the group stage
A second clash in the Super Four round
A possible third meeting in the final
These high-voltage encounters are always the biggest draw of the Asia Cup, as both countries have a huge number of passionate cricket fans.
Commercial Importance: Indian Sponsors Play A Major Role
Even though India is not physically hosting the matches, it continues to play a huge role in the business side of the tournament. A large portion of the Asia Cup’s revenue comes from Indian sponsors and TV broadcasters.
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has the official broadcast rights for the Asia Cup, having secured them in a deal worth 170 million USD over eight years. This deal was signed in 2024, and it is expected that SPNI will use the India-Pakistan matches to boost their viewership and advertisement earnings.
This also explains why the tournament is being carefully planned to include possible India-Pakistan matches — they attract massive global attention and are a key source of revenue.
BCCI's Virtual Presence And Political Tensions
Interestingly, the BCCI did not attend the ACC meeting in Dhaka in person. The reason for their absence was reported to be political tensions between India and Bangladesh. However, Rajeev Shukla, the Vice-President of the BCCI, attended the meeting virtually. This allowed India to stay involved in key decisions while avoiding any diplomatic incidents.
Due to the same tensions, the India-Bangladesh bilateral cricket series, which was scheduled for August 2025, has now been postponed indefinitely. This development shows how political relations can sometimes affect sports planning.
Fans’ Excitement and What To Expect Next
The announcement of the Asia Cup 2025 has already generated a lot of buzz among cricket fans. With the event only a few months away, players will soon start preparing for one of Asia’s biggest cricket tournaments. The T20 format ensures that matches will be fast-paced and thrilling, and with top teams like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, the tournament promises high-quality cricket.
We are now waiting for the final match schedule, which is being prepared by the BCCI. Fans can expect that to be released in the coming weeks.
Asia Cup 2025 will be held from September 9 to 28.
UAE will host the matches; India is the official host.
Eight teams will take part in the tournament.
The format will be T20 to prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
19 matches are expected, including possible India vs Pakistan games.
Commercial value driven largely by Indian sponsors and broadcasters.
BCCI skipped the Dhaka meeting in person due to diplomatic reasons.
The Asia Cup 2025 is shaping up to be a major event on the cricket calendar. With top Asian teams, a T20 format, and the potential for intense rivalries, the tournament will be a treat for cricket fans. As more updates and the full schedule are released, excitement will only grow. Stay tuned for more!
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