The countdown to the Asia Cup Twenty20 2025 has officially begun, and cricket fans across the globe are bracing themselves for one of the most anticipated tournaments of the year. Hosted in the UAE, the event promises high-voltage cricket, with the possibility of India and Pakistan facing each other up to three times in the group stage, the Super Four, and potentially the grand finale.
Ticket Frenzy Sparks Warning
On Tuesday, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) issued a stern warning to fans after unauthorised ticket sales surfaced online for the much-hyped India-Pakistan encounter scheduled for September 14 in Dubai.
“Official tickets for the DP World Asia Cup 2025 have not yet been released,” the ACC clarified via social media. “Any tickets currently on sale are unauthorised, fraudulent, and will not grant entry. A formal announcement on ticket sales will be made soon by the ACC and Emirates Cricket Board.”
The warning comes as fans scramble to secure seats for cricket’s most electrifying rivalry, which could be staged more than once in the tournament.
India’s Campaign – A High-Stakes Journey
India will kick off their Asia Cup campaign on September 10 against the hosts UAE in Dubai. Following that, they will face arch-rivals Pakistan in the marquee clash on September 14, before wrapping up the group stage against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.
With Group A featuring India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman, the competition promises early drama and intense battles for the top two Super Four spots.
Super Four & Final Showdown
The Super Four stage begins on September 20 and will run until September 26, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi sharing hosting duties. If India finish on top of Group A, they will play all their Super Four matches in Dubai.
However, a second-place finish could see them travel to Abu Dhabi for one of their fixtures. The much-awaited final will take place in Dubai on September 28, where the cricketing world hopes to witness yet another India-Pakistan showdown.
Squad Selections Spark Debate
The announcement of squads has added to the buzz, with several surprise inclusions and omissions.
India have opted for continuity, retaining Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube, while Shreyas Iyer and teenage prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi missed out.
Pakistan, under head coach Mike Hesson, made bold calls, leaving out former skipper Babar Azam and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan. Hesson explained:
“Babar has been asked to work on areas like taking on spin and improving his strike rate. He’s a world-class player and is putting in the effort.”
Hosts UAE, guided by Lalchand Rajput, are eyeing a potential upset as they take on India and Pakistan in the group stage.
Beyond Cricket – A Message for Fans
While the excitement is building towards what could be a blockbuster tournament, the ACC’s ticketing warning serves as a reminder – the first contest for fans is against online fraud, not the opposition.
As the cricketing world counts down to September, the stage is set for Asia Cup 2025 to deliver drama, rivalry, and unforgettable moments – both on and off the field.
