Blockbuster tournament to run from Sept 5–21; BCCI and ACC to finalise match schedule soon
Dubai: Cricket’s biggest rivalry is set for another high-voltage chapter — and possibly three face-offs — as the UAE emerges as host of the Asia Cup 2025, ending weeks of speculation around the venue and India’s participation.
According to media reports, the tournament is scheduled to be held in September, following discussions at the Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) annual general meeting in Dhaka on Thursday. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which holds the hosting rights, has formally proposed the UAE as a neutral venue for the T20-format championship.
An ACC official confirmed to PTI that the much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash “is likely to take place as planned,” while BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said an official announcement would be made “in a few days’ time.”
The 17-day event is expected to run from September 5 to 21, with India and Pakistan likely to be drawn into the same group. That raises the possibility of three encounters between the Asian giants — on September 7 (group stage), September 14 (Super Four), and potentially in the final on September 21.
The breakthrough follows a wider agreement between the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on a neutral venue policy for multilateral ICC and ACC tournaments during the 2024–2027 cycle. That framework, agreed at an ICC Board meeting earlier this year, began with the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy, hosted by Pakistan, with India playing their matches in Dubai during their triumphant run.
The hybrid model — previously used in the 2023 Asia Cup — appears to have set the precedent. “India and Pakistan matches hosted by either country at ICC events during the 2024–2027 rights cycle will be played at a neutral venue,” the ICC confirmed.
After the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and rising diplomatic tensions, there had been speculation that India might pull out of the Asia Cup altogether. However, BCCI secretary Saikia quickly dismissed such talk.
“Since this morning, it has come to our notice some news items about BCCI’s decision not to participate in the Asia Cup and Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, both ACC events. Such news is devoid of any truth. Till now, BCCI has not even discussed or taken any such steps regarding ensuing ACC events, let alone written anything to the ACC,” Saikia said.
While there was still uncertainty over India’s participation, putting the tournament in jeopardy, India’s Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya paved the way last week when he clarified the country’s position: “We will not engage in bilateral matches with Pakistan, but we have no problem playing them in international tournaments where multiple countries are involved.”
The BCCI was represented virtually at the ACC AGM in Dhaka on Thursday by vice-president Rajeev Shukla. Sources say final approval will follow a meeting between Shukla and ACC President and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi in the coming days, where venue allocations and the official schedule will be signed off.
If confirmed, this will be yet another major Asian tournament hosted by the UAE, which has become cricket’s most reliable neutral venue. From multiple IPL editions to the 2018 and 2022 Asia Cups — and parts of ICC global events — the Emirates continue to offer world-class infrastructure and geopolitical neutrality.
With the potential for three India-Pakistan clashes in just over two weeks, the Asia Cup 2025 promises a commercial windfall. While an official announcement is awaited, all signs point to the UAE — once again — stepping in to deliver a high-octane, regionally symbolic sporting spectacle.
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