Asia Cup 2025 Set for September Start, Likely to Be Shifted to UAE Amid India-Pakistan Tensions
The Asia Cup 2025 is expected to commence on September 10 in the T20 format, with the official schedule likely to be unveiled by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in early July, according to a report by Cricbuzz. While India remains the designated host for this edition, political tensions between India and Pakistan have prompted serious considerations to relocate the tournament to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), potentially under a hybrid hosting model.
The six-nation tournament will feature India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and the UAE. However, the strained relations between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) continue to cast uncertainty over the logistics. India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan, especially in the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, has raised the prospect of alternative arrangements being finalized soon.
Also Read:
Earlier speculation suggested that India might skip the Asia Cup altogether, but the current proposal of shifting the tournament to neutral venues like the UAE could allow both rivals to participate without direct travel complications. A similar model was adopted for previous tournaments amid comparable diplomatic strains.
Adding to the diplomatic cricket standoff, Indian media has reported that India and Pakistan may avoid a group-stage clash in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The scheduling of marquee matches between the two nations is expected to be a key discussion point at the upcoming ICC annual conference.
Read all the Breaking News Live on pakistantimes.com and Get Latest English News & Updates from Pakistan Times. Follow us on Whatsapp channel for more.
