India-Pakistan rivalry returns in Asia Cup 2025 – Date announced!
Indian media reported that the United Arab Emirates will host the 2025 Asia Cup, with the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash set to take place in Dubai.
Organizers plan to hold the 17th edition of the T20-format Asia Cup from September 4 or 5 to September 21, with the official schedule expected in the second week of July. Six teams—India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the UAE—will compete in the group stage, followed by a Super Four round.
India will face Pakistan on September 7 and could potentially meet them again, first in the Super Four and possibly in the final if both teams advance. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) dismissed earlier concerns about India’s participation amid political tensions and confirmed that no restrictions would prevent the arch-rivals from clashing in ICC or Asia Cup events.
Earlier, speculations surfaced that India might withdraw from the Asia Cup 2025 due to rising tensions with Pakistan.
A few days ago, Indian media reported that arch-rivals India and Pakistan would not face each other in the group stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. A source close to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed that the issue would be discussed at the upcoming annual ICC conference. For context, tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated following the Pahalgam terror attack.
In recent years, the strained ties between the PCB and BCCI have become well documented, with the latest flashpoint emerging from India’s decision to skip the Champions Trophy hosted by Pakistan. This deadlock pushed both boards to reportedly agree on a “fusion formula,” under which they decided not to visit each other’s home soil for ICC events over the next three years. Instead, they will stage their matches at neutral venues.