After months and months of discussions and controversies, The Asia Cup is on and has been given the green light to proceed, much relief to all cricket fans. The much awaited tournament to crown the champion cricket team of all Asia will now be played from September 9 to 28 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Mohsin Naqvi, the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) said in a statement, "I am delighted to confirm the dates of the ACC Men's Asia Cup 2025 in UAE. The prestigious tournament will take place from September 9th to 28th. We look forward to a spectacular display of cricket. Details scheduled will be out soon," Naqvi also serves the president of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
India and Pakistan are in the same group (A) which means, potentially, the fans could be treated to not one, not two but three clashes between the arch-rivals. The confirmed clash will be in the league stage on September 14 first, and then given their strengths and assuming the two qualify for the next round - the Super 4s - on September 21. The final could potentially be their third meeting, on September 28.
For this tournament to take place clearance from the Government was essential, and with the announcement it now appears to have been secured. Given the prevailing anti-Pakistan mood in the India because of the recent conflict, the go-ahead did not seem likely. Not long ago, India had engaged in a military conflict with Pakistan, launching Operation Sindoor in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam. However, the Indian government appears to have adopted a different stance on sporting ties with Pakistan. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya hinted that New Delhi has no objection to engaging with Pakistan in multilateral competitions, while still maintaining their non negotiable stance on bilateral series. With India targeting to host the Olympics in 2036, an accommodating approach towards international sporting events is deemed as a necessity.
The full schedule and programme was announced on Saturday evening. The eight teams have been split into two groups with India, Pakistan, UAE and Oman in Group A while Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Hong Kong constitute Group B. The tournament kicks off with a clash between Afghanistan and Hong Kong. September 15 will have two games - the lone double header in the tournament - and there are two rest days - September 22 and 27.
Here's the full schedule of the tournament.
September 9: Afghanistan vs Hong Kong
September 10: India vs UAE
September 11: Bangladesh vs Hong Kong
September 12: Pakistan vs Oman
September 13: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
September 14: India vs Pakistan
September 15: UAE vs Oman
September 15: Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong
September 16: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan
September 17: Pakistan vs UAE
September 18: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan
September 19: India vs Oman
Super 4 stage:
September 20: B1 vs B2
September 21: A1 vs A2
September 23: A2 vs B1
September 24: A1 vs B2
September 25: A2 vs B2
September 26: A1 vs B1
FINAL: September 28
It would be a crucial test for all teams as this performs as the road to next year's T20 World Cup.
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