Image Credit: BCCI
Asia Cup 2025 Set for UAE from September 9 to 28
The 2025 Men’s T20 Asia Cup has been officially confirmed to take place in the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to 28. The tournament will feature eight teams competing in the T20 International format, with a total of 19 matches planned. It will follow a structure of group stage, Super Four, and a final.
Eight Teams and Group Composition
The participating teams are India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong. These teams have qualified based on full-member status or through the ACC Premier Cup. Group A includes India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman. Group B features Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.
High Stakes and Potential India-Pakistan Thrillers
With India and Pakistan placed in the same group, fans could witness the two rivals facing off up to three times—once in the group stage on September 14, again in the Super Four round, and potentially in the final on September 28. The rivalry remains the highlight of the tournament and is expected to draw global attention.
India Hosts, UAE is Neutral Ground
Although India is the designated host for the 2025 edition, the tournament will be played in the UAE due to ongoing diplomatic challenges between India and Pakistan. The use of a neutral venue ensures participation by all qualified teams without travel issues. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and possibly Sharjah are expected to host the matches, with Dubai likely to be the central location.
Preparation for the T20 World Cup
The Asia Cup 2025 serves as a critical preparatory tournament for all participating nations ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup scheduled in 2026, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Teams are expected to test combinations, fine-tune strategies, and build momentum ahead of the global event.
Awaiting Full Schedule
While the tournament dates and groupings have been confirmed, the detailed match schedule with venue-specific fixtures and ticketing information is expected to be released shortly by the Asian Cricket Council and respective national boards.
