The Asia Cup 2025 is likely to be held in the month of September. According to sources, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has agreed to host the tournament in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi are expected to finalise the tournament dates in the coming days.
Discussions with sponsors will also be held soon, as they need ample time to prepare their marketing plans. The tournament is likely to begin on 7th September and conclude in the third or fourth week of the month. The BCCI has signed an agreement with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) for three venues, but only two stadiums will be used for the Asia Cup. BCCI is also awaiting final approval from the Indian government for the tournament.
The likely venues for the tournament are Dubai International Stadium and the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Sources also suggest that India and Pakistan will be placed in the same group, meaning a group-stage clash between the two arch-rivals is almost certain. A meeting of the Asian Cricket Council was held on 24th July in Dhaka, where these key decisions were taken. BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla participated in the meeting virtually.
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Why is the tournament being held at a neutral venue?
Although the BCCI holds the hosting rights for this 8-team tournament, due to strained political relations between India and Pakistan, it will be conducted at a neutral venue. Notably, this was the first time the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) hosted a high-level ACC meeting. BCB President Aminul Islam mentioned that BCB is only providing logistical support to the ACC.
The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup will feature eight teams: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These eight teams will be divided into two groups of four. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super Four stage. Group A is expected to consist of India, Pakistan, UAE, and Hong Kong, while Group B may include Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Oman.