Cricket fans, buckle up, India vs Pakistan might just be coming your way again this September! According to a report by Cricbuzz, the Asia Cup 2025 is tentatively scheduled to kick off on September 10, and yes, an India-Pakistan blockbuster is very much on the cards. While the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is yet to make an official announcement, the buzz is already electric.
Schedule Coming Soon
The ACC is expected to release the official tournament schedule in early July, but sources suggest that the second week of September is the most likely window for the tournamentโs opening. And what better way to get things going than with the biggest rivalry in world cricket?
Although this edition will be played in the T20 formatโa precursor to the T20 World Cup in 2026โthe stakes are no less intense. Six teams will feature in the tournament:
- ๐ฎ๐ณ India
- ๐ต๐ฐ Pakistan
- ๐ฑ๐ฐ Sri Lanka
- ๐ง๐ฉ Bangladesh
- ๐ฆ๐ซ Afghanistan
- ๐ฆ๐ช United Arab Emirates (UAE)
India Hosting on Paper, but UAE Likely Venue
While India is officially listed as the host for the Asia Cup 2025, the political deadlock between India and Pakistan has led the ACC to consider a neutral venue. The UAEโwell-versed in hosting high-profile, politically sensitive matchesโis emerging as the frontrunner.
Weโve been here before. Last yearโs hybrid model, which saw some matches held in Sri Lanka and others in Pakistan, might evolve into an even more simplified version this time: all matches in the UAE, with both India and Pakistan in attendanceโbut not on each otherโs soil.
India-Pakistan Drama
The strained cricketing relationship between the PCB and BCCI is no secret. From diplomatic spats to boardroom stand-offs, the drama has played out both on and off the field.
Earlier this year, reports hinted that India might skip the Asia Cup altogether due to political tensions. More recently, Indian media claimed that India and Pakistan will not meet in the group stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup, a decision that could be debated at the upcoming ICC annual conference.
One of the biggest sticking points remains the Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to be hosted by Pakistan.
Indiaโs reluctance to travel across the border resulted in whatโs being called a โfusion formulaโโwhere both nations agreed to avoid bilateral visits for ICC events over the next three years.
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