The 2025 Asia Cup is all set to begin around September 9 in the UAE, and India and Pakistan, as expected, will face off in the group stage on September 14. UAE (the hosts) along with Oman join both teams placed in Group A.
Group B does consist of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in addition to Afghanistan. Hong Kong is also located in Group B. The final game on September 28 will then wrap up the tournament.
This year’s edition brings a few firsts. For the first time ever, the Asia Cup will feature eight teams instead of six. And since the T20 World Cup is around the corner, the Asia Cup will also be played in the T20 format.
How the Tournament Will Work
The top two teams from each group will move forward into the next round, to form another group of four teams there. Two teams will make it into the final, after that.
India and Pakistan could face each other three times in the group stage, the Super Four, and the final if the teams continue winning.
India is officially listed as host now. Still and all, the tournament happens to be in the UAE. BCCI (India’s cricket board) along with PCB (Pakistan’s board) have a mutual agreement. Per the deal, if either country hosts a tournament during the next three years, neutral venues will be used for matches involving the other country.
That is why India played in Dubai all of the games that it had during the Champions Trophy of 2025, even against Pakistan who was the host. Earlier this year, the tournament was held in Pakistan. India won that tournament in Dubai.
India-Pakistan Match
There’s no doubt — India vs Pakistan is the biggest attraction of the Asia Cup. It pulls in massive TV viewership and generates the most money for broadcasters. With the current group setup and format, there’s a strong chance we’ll see them play at least twice, and maybe even a third time if both teams make the final.
Interestingly, India and Pakistan have never met in an Asia Cup final — but 2025 might just change that.
The Asia Cup schedule was announced by PCB chairman and ACC president Mohsin Naqvi on July 26. The dates were finalized during the ACC’s annual meeting in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Earlier this year, tensions had put the tournament at risk due to a brief India-Pakistan military skirmish in May, but things were resolved, and the event is now going ahead as planned.
Also read this: Pakistan Announces Squads for ODI and T20 Series Against West Indies
