The wait is over. The 2025 edition of the Asia Cup has officially been confirmed and will be played from September 9 to 28 in the United Arab Emirates, with matches set to be held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
ACC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi Makes It Official
The announcement came directly from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) head, Mohsin Naqvi, who took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday to confirm the tournament dates.
As reported earlier by Cricbuzz, the Asia Cup will follow the T20 format this year and feature eight teams. The competition will serve as a key build-up to the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.
India vs Pakistan: Clash of Rivals, Again
The buzz around the tournament is already intense, with reports suggesting that India and Pakistan will be placed in the same group. If things go as expected, fans could witness up to three blockbuster clashes between the arch-rivals—one in the group stage, another in the Super Four, and a possible third in the final.
The format mirrors recent tournaments, ensuring at least one showdown between the two giants of Asian cricket—especially since they no longer face off in bilateral series due to ongoing political tensions.
Tensions Off the Field Add to the Build-Up
The announcement comes at a sensitive time in Indo-Pak relations. Just last week, a veterans’ clash in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) between India Champions and Pakistan Champions was cancelled. Several Indian players—Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Irfan and Yusuf Pathan, and Shikhar Dhawan—withdrew from the match after public backlash over sharing the field with their Pakistani counterparts.
This followed renewed military tensions after the Pahalgam terror attack in April, which led to Indian strikes on terror camps across the border and further escalations between the two countries.
UAE to Host All 19 Matches
Naqvi confirmed that the full schedule and venue details will be announced soon. However, it’s expected that Dubai and Abu Dhabi will host all 19 matches, continuing UAE’s role as the preferred neutral venue for high-stakes cricket between India and Pakistan.
India’s Recent Dominance Over Pakistan
The last time the two teams met was during the 2024 Champions Trophy in Dubai. Virat Kohli starred with a century as India cruised to a six-wicket win. India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and lifted the trophy, extending their dominance in recent ICC and ACC events.
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