The much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025 will be held from September 9 to 28 in the United Arab Emirates, as announced by Asian Cricket Council Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday. Naqvi, who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board, made the announcement via his official X account.
India and Pakistan, known for their intense on-field rivalry, are drawn into the same group. Their first clash is set for September 14. As per the tournament format, fans could witness up to three India-Pakistan encounters – in the group stage, the Super Four round, and possibly the final if both teams advance.
The tournament will feature eight teams competing in the T20 format, acting as a preparatory event for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The format guarantees at least one match between India and Pakistan, maintaining the tradition established since the two sides ceased bilateral cricket ties.
This grouping comes at a time when India and Pakistan’s sporting relations remain tense. Just last week, a match between India Champions and Pakistan Champions at the World Championship of Legends (WCL) was called off following public backlash. Prominent Indian players such as Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan, and the Pathan brothers opted out, citing discomfort over sharing the field with former Pakistani players.
This development follows heightened military tensions after the Pahalgam terror attack in April, which saw retaliatory strikes by India and a surge in border escalations.
Host Cities and Match Venues
Following Naqvi’s announcement, the schedule and venues were confirmed, with all 19 matches to be played across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
India and Pakistan last faced each other during the 2025 Champions Trophy earlier this year, where Virat Kohli’s century powered India to a dominant six-wicket win. India went on to remain unbeaten and lift the trophy.
Asia Cup 2025 Groups:
Group A: India, Pakistan, UAE, Oman
Group B: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Hong Kong
India’s Group Stage Fixtures:
September 10: vs UAE
September 14: vs Pakistan
September 19: vs Oman
Key Match to Watch
Unquestionably, the India vs Pakistan match is set to be the highlight of the tournament. With no bilateral series between them, any contest between these two cricketing giants becomes a massive spectacle, regardless of the format.
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