Asia Cup 2025 to Be Played in UAE from September 9 to 28
Dubai, 26 July – (www.deccanlive.com): The Asia Cup 2025 will be hosted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to 28, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi announced. The tournament will be played in the T20 format.
Naqvi, who is also the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, shared on social media that this will be an exciting event, and the full schedule will be announced soon.
Although India was originally awarded the hosting rights, political tensions between India and Pakistan have led to the tournament being shifted to a neutral venue.
In Asia Cup 2023, Pakistan was the host, but India refused to travel due to security concerns, and the tournament was played in a hybrid model, with India’s matches in Sri Lanka. India won that edition by defeating Sri Lanka in the final.
The tensions between the two nations worsened after the Pahalgam terror attack in April, which killed 26 people. Following this, India conducted Operation Sindoor in May, making it unlikely for India to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup.
Since its start in 1984, the Asia Cup has been played 16 times. India has won 8 titles, Sri Lanka 6, and Pakistan 2.
This is not the first time India’s matches are being held at a neutral venue. Earlier this year, in the Champions Trophy, India played all its matches in UAE instead of Pakistan, including a semifinal and the final, which India won against New Zealand.
India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Now, they only face each other in ICC and ACC tournaments, making their matches highly anticipated by fans worldwide and profitable for broadcasters.
India last toured Pakistan in 2008, winning a three-Test series 1-0. Pakistan last toured India in 2012-13, winning a three-match ODI series 2-1, while the T20 series ended 1-1.
