DUBAI – Amid strained ties between India and Pakistan, the Indian cricket team is expected to participate in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.
The cricket fans around the world can anticipate a high-stakes encounter between the two arch-rivals ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup, with both teams set to clash in the prestigious regional tournament.
The Asia Cup 2025 will be hosted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), although the official hosting rights will remain with India.
The tournament is scheduled to take place in September, but the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has yet to release a formal schedule.
The ACC, according to the sources, decided to move the tournament to a neutral venue to avoid complications arising from geopolitical tensions.
A report by Forbes stated that the commercial value of the tournament — including media rights sold for USD 170 million — could be severely impacted if either India or Pakistan were to withdraw. In light of this, the ACC is reportedly committed to ensuring both teams’ participation in a politically neutral setting.
If the relocation is confirmed, this will mark the fourth time the UAE hosts the Asia Cup. The Gulf nation previously held the tournament in 1984, 1995, and 2018.
This year’s edition of the Asia Cup will be played in the T20 format, designed as a preparatory event for the ICC T20 World Cup scheduled for 2026.
BCCI likely to pull out of Asia Cup 2025 amid Pakistan-India tensions
