Holders India will start their Asia Cup title defence with a Group A clash against the United Arab Emirates on September 10, 2025. The Asian Cricket Council confirmed the dates for the 17th edition of the continental showpiece on Saturday.
The development came after weeks of uncertainty. It's worth noting that the Board of Control for India (BCCI) originally won the hosting rights of the tournament, but it will instead be held in the UAE as India and Pakistan have mutually agreed to compete only at neutral venues till 2027 due to the prevailing cross-border tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. In fact, the India vs Pakistan match at World Championship of Legends 2025 was cancelled.
The decision to hold the tournament in the UAE was taken during the ACC’s July 24 meeting in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The BCCI remains the official host of the tournament.
The highlight of the tournament, of course, will be the India vs Pakistan matches. The arch-rivals have been clubbed in the same group and are expected to meet multiple times, in the Super Four game, and then in the final, if both teams perform as expected.
Asia Cup 2025: Format And Brief History
The Asia Cup cricket tournament, launched in 1983, is held every two years on a rotational basis between the two limited formats -- ODIs and T20Is -- since 2016. This time it will be a T20 International affair, as is customary in the lead-up to an ICC tournament of the same format; and for many teams, the 2025 edition will serve as a warm-up for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 to be held in India and Sri Lanka.
The eight teams have been split into two groups of four. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super Four stage. The top two teams following the conclusion of the Super Four will play in the final.
For the unversed, Sri Lanka won the Asia Cup when it was last played in the T20 format in 2022. In the Dubai final, they beat Pakistan by 23 runs after posting 170/6. The 2023 edition (ODI) witnessed India chase down Sri Lanka's 50 all out, wrecked by Mohammed Siraj's sensational 6/12, in just 6.1 overs for their record-extending 8th title.
Sri Lanka, the six-time champions, and Pakistan, winners twice, are the only other teams to have lifted the trophy since its first edition in 1984.
Asia Cup 2025: Confirmed Teams And Groups
Besides heavyweights India and Pakistan, the Asia Cup 2025 will also feature regulars Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and other emerging teams from the region.
Group A: India, Oman, Pakistan and the UAE
Group B: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka
The notable absentee is Nepal, arguably the fastest-rising associate nation. The team representing the country failed to qualify for the 2025 edition after finishing fourth in the ACC Men's Premier Cup 2024. The top three teams -- UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong -- complete the roster along with five full members -- Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Asia Cup 2025: Complete Fixture
The 19-match tournament will be played in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as the UAE continues to serve as a neutral venue to the cricketing world. The ACC will allow 17-member squads. The marquee clash during the group stage will be India vs Pakistan on September 14, and they are likely to face each other again in the Super Four. Should both teams progress further, there's a possibility of an IND vs PAK final on September 28.
Asia Cup 2025 Group Stage Fixtures
September 9 (Tuesday): Afghanistan vs Hong Kong (Group B)
September 10 (Wednesday): India vs UAE (Group A)
September 11 (Thursday): Bangladesh vs Hong Kong (Group B)
September 12 (Friday): Pakistan vs Oman (Group A)
September 13 (Saturday): Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (Group B)
September 14 (Sunday): India vs Pakistan (Group A)
September 15 (Monday): UAE vs Oman (Group A)
September 15 (Monday): Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong (Group B)
September 16 (Tuesday): Bangladesh vs Afghanistan (Group B)
September 17 (Wednesday): Pakistan vs UAE (Group A)
September 18 (Thursday): Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan (Group B)
September 19 (Friday): India vs Oman (Group A)
Asia cup 2025 Super 4 And Final Schedule
September 20 (Saturday): B1 vs B2
September 21 (Sunday): A1 vs A2
September 23 (Tuesday): A2 vs B1
September 24 (Wednesday): A1 vs B2
September 25 (Thursday): A2 vs B2
September 26 (Friday): A1 vs B1
September 28 (Sunday): Final
Asia Cup 2025: Live Streaming And Telecast Details
Sony Sports Network has the broadcasting rights to telecast Asia Cup matches in India and Nepal. PTV and Ten Sports in Pakistan, GTV and T Sports HD in Pakistan, ITN Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka, TNT Sports in England, Kayo Sports in Australia have been traditional broadcasters.
