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Published : 26 Jul 2025, 08:49 PM
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has confirmed that the 2025 Asia Cup will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from Sept 9-28.
The announcement came a day after the ACC’s annual general meeting in Dhaka.
ACC and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi shared the news on social media on Saturday.
“I am delighted to confirm the dates for the 2025 Asia Cup in the UAE,” Naqvi posted.
“This prestigious tournament will run from the 9th to the 28th of September, and I eagerly await a spectacular display of cricket. The detailed schedule will be released soon.”
This edition of the Asia Cup will feature eight teams and will be played in the T20 format.
Alongside the five full ACC members – Bangladesh, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka – the tournament will also include the UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong.
The ACC's annual meeting, held in Dhaka on Thursday, was surrounded by uncertainty. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) initially raised objections about participating, and reports later suggested that the cricket boards of Afghanistan and Sri Lanka were also hesitant.
However, the meeting ultimately went ahead with full participation, focusing largely on discussions around the upcoming tournament. Tensions between India and Pakistan, especially in the wake of a recent militant attack in Pahalgam, had cast doubts over the event's future.
Naqvi addressed the media after the meeting, but refrained from making any firm announcements. A day later, he revealed the tournament dates on social media.
Originally slated to be hosted by India, the tournament was moved to the UAE following an agreement between the BCCI and PCB.
The deal mirrors a similar arrangement during the last Champions Trophy, where India did not travel to Pakistan and played their matches at a neutral venue. Under the current agreement, Pakistan will do the same for tournaments hosted by India.
Discussions are still ongoing over whether India and Pakistan will be placed in the same group. Despite their political rivalry, the two sides have frequently shared a group in past editions of the Asia Cup, and expectations remain high for another high-profile clash.
India are the defending champions, having defeated Sri Lanka in the 2023 final. In the 2022 edition, Sri Lanka took the title after beating Pakistan.
