Asia Cup 2025 Full Schedule and Format

Asia Cup 2025 kicks off on September 9 in UAE with India, Pakistan in same group. 19 T20s to be played till final on September 28.

Kcricketscore Staff

Created - 6 days ago

Asia Cup 2025: Schedule fixed, India-Pakistan clash possible three times

The decision that was pending for many months has finally been approved. Asia Cup 2025 will now officially be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to 28. Asian Cricket Council President Mohsin Naqvi confirmed this on Saturday.

Not much was clear in the recent ACC meeting held in Dhaka. India's tense relations with Pakistan and Bangladesh had complicated the planning of this tournament. However, it is now clear that both BCCI and the Government of India have given the green signal. The event was difficult without the approval of the Government of India, but they have decided to keep the game away from politics.

India and Pakistan are in the same group

India, Pakistan, UAE and Oman have been placed in Group A. Group B will have Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Hong Kong. This simply means that India and Pakistan will definitely clash at least once in the league match on September 14. If both teams reach Super 4, then the second face-off can happen on September 21, and if luck favours, then these two can come face-to-face again in the final on September 28.

Schedule and matches

The tournament will start with the match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong. A total of 19 matches will be played. On September 15, two matches will be played on the same day, which will be the only double header of the tournament. There will be no match on September 22 and 27, that is, these two days have been fixed for rest.

Format and importance

This tournament will be in T20 format. The main reason for this is the T20 World Cup to be held in India and Sri Lanka next year. Asia Cup is now also being seen as a preparation for that tournament. Every team playing on the field now want to test themselves for that world event.

Although the ACC has not confirmed the venue, it is believed that Dubai and Abu Dhabi will host the matches. Both stadiums are already ready for international cricket and also have experience.

Looking at the current circumstances, a direct match between India and Pakistan seems surprising. However, it was clear from the indications of Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya that the Indian government will not ban playing against Pakistan in multilateral tournaments. This decision has also been taken keeping in mind India's goal of hosting the Olympics in 2036.

Schedule:

September 9: Afghanistan vs Hong Kong

September 10: India vs UAE

September 11: Bangladesh vs Hong Kong

September 12: Pakistan vs Oman

September 13: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka

September 14: India vs Pakistan

September 15: UAE vs Oman

September 15: Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong

September 16: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan

September 17: Pakistan vs UAE

September 18: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan