UAE to Host Asia Cup 2025 from September 9, India-Pakistan Fixtures Confirmed at Neutral Venues
Asia Cup 2025 to be held in UAE from Sept 9 in T20 format; India, Pakistan likely to clash up to three times in the tournament
The Asia Cup 2025 will take place in the UAE from September 9 to 28, with the tournament set to return to the T20I format. This edition will feature eight teams: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong.
Though India are the official hosts, the matches have been moved to a neutral venue under a special arrangement between the BCCI and PCB, following tensions between the two countries earlier this year.
India-Pakistan to Play at Neutral Venues Until 2027
The decision to host the tournament in the UAE was confirmed by ACC president and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi after the Asian Cricket Council’s annual general meeting in Dhaka.
India and Pakistan have agreed to play at neutral venues for a three-year period, following military skirmishes between the two nations in May. As part of this arrangement, India also played all their Champions Trophy 2025 matches in Dubai, including the final.
Fans Could See Three India-Pakistan Clashes
India and Pakistan are likely to be placed in the same group, as has been the case in recent Asia Cups. This opens up the possibility of up to three clashes between the two rivals — in the group stage, Super Four, and possibly the final.
An India-Pakistan final has never taken place in Asia Cup history, but fans will be hoping 2025 could finally deliver that high-stakes showdown.
India come into the tournament as defending champions, having defeated Sri Lanka in the 2023 final. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, won the last T20I edition in 2022 by beating Pakistan.
The official groupings and fixture list are yet to be released, but the build-up has already begun, with the UAE preparing to host yet another high-profile cricket event.
