In what has come as a major development, the window for the Asia Cup 2025 is finally out. Yes, more India-Pakistan matches are about to thrill the cricketing fraternity, with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) tentatively rolling out the September window of this year. However, what has been fascinating is the update that India won’t be the hosting country for the mega event. Instead, due to the fiasco that led the ICC Champions Trophy to happen in a hybrid model, the Asia Cup 2025 could happen at a neutral venue.
More India-Pakistan matches in 2025 but where?
The hype for the Asia Cup will get started gradually but the off-field games have already started. Originally allocated to India, the tournament will now be staged in a neutral country due to the ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan. According to Cricbuzz, ACC is yet to finalize the host nation, with Sri Lanka and the UAE emerging as the frontrunners. Despite the shift, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will remain the official host.
The ACC has made a key ruling for future tournaments: whenever India or Pakistan are set to host, the event will take place at a neutral venue. This decision follows the precedent set in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy, where India opted to play in Dubai under a hybrid model. In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has pushed for a similar arrangement for next year’s T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the BCCI and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
Latest on Cricket
- DRS Apr 7: MS Dhoni close to IPL retirement, Delhi Capitals star exits camp & Gujarat Titans player injured
- WATCH: Jasprit Bumrah bamboozles Mumbai Indians teammate just before MI vs RCB clash
- Shubman Gill finally begins his IPL 2025, hits first T20 fifty after 267 days
Asia Cup 2025 format
The Asia Cup, scheduled for September, will feature eight teams—India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong. Notably absent from the tournament is Nepal, who are at the 17th at the ICC Rankings for T20Is. Contrastingly, Oman are at 19th place and Hong Kong at 23. The tournament will follow a familiar format, with teams split into two groups. As expected, cricket’s fiercest rivals, India and Pakistan, will find themselves in the same group, setting up a minimum of two high-stakes encounters—one in the group stage and another in the Super Four round.
Should both teams make it to the final, fans could witness a blockbuster trilogy. The September weather poses a potential challenge, but given the tournament’s T20 format, matches are expected to be scheduled in the cooler evening slots.
Editor's Pick
Cricket
“I was not able to digest it”: Siraj lets Champions Trophy snub fuel IPL rise
Top Stories
