The much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025 is back on track, and there's a high possibility that India and Pakistan will end up in the same group for the tournament. The T20 event, which had been in doubt following a terror attack in Pahalgam earlier this year, is now set to take place in its proposed September window.
ACC Greenlights Tournament Amid Security Concerns
The fate of the tournament was discussed at the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Annual General Meeting held in Dhaka on July 24. Although the BCCI had initially opted out of attending the meeting due to ongoing diplomatic tensions with Bangladesh, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla eventually joined virtually to ensure discussions on the event could move forward.
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According to reports from India Today, the BCCI, which holds the hosting rights for the tournament, has agreed to organize it at a neutral venue. Dubai and Abu Dhabi have emerged as the top contenders to host the matches. A deal has already been signed with the Emirates Cricket Board, giving the BCCI access to three stadiums, although only two venues are expected to be used for the event.
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India’s Participation Confirmed After Initial Uncertainty
After the Pahalgam terror attack, which tragically claimed the lives of several tourists, speculation had grown that India might withdraw from the tournament entirely. However, those fears have now been eased. With the ACC's backing and BCCI’s involvement, preparations for the tournament are in full swing.
Finalizing Dates and Venues
Vice-President Rajeev Shukla is expected to meet ACC President and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi soon to finalize the Asia Cup 2025 schedule and venues. They will also hold discussions with commercial sponsors to iron out all partnership details ahead of time.
The tournament is likely to be played between September 7 and the third or fourth week of September, making it an ideal lead-up to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled for February next year in India and Sri Lanka.
Big Money and High Stakes
One of the biggest talking points around Asia Cup tournaments is always the India vs Pakistan clash — and this edition is likely to feature at least two such games, with the potential for a third meeting if both sides reach the final. With massive interest from fans and broadcasters, those matches are expected to generate huge advertising revenues.
A significant chunk of the Asia Cup’s funding comes from Indian sponsors and broadcasters. Notably, Sony Pictures Networks India owns the media rights for the tournament for an eight-year period, with a reported deal worth $170 million.
However, political tensions between India and Pakistan continue to cast a shadow, and it remains to be seen whether the BCCI will allow the high-profile clash to go ahead.
Diplomatic Challenges Remain
In a related development, the white-ball series between India and Bangladesh, which was scheduled for August 2025, has now been postponed indefinitely due to rising tensions between the two nations. This has further complicated regional cricket ties ahead of the Asia Cup.
The coming weeks will be crucial as organizers finalize the logistics, but one thing is certain: Asia Cup 2025 promises drama, excitement, and the possibility of blockbuster India-Pakistan encounters that fans around the world won’t want to miss.