Asia Cricket Cup 2025 will be held in the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to 28, as officially confirmed by Asia Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday. Sharing the announcement via X (formerly Twitter), Naqvi expressed his excitement about the tournament, stating, “We look forward to a spectacular display of cricket!” The 2025 Asia Cup cricket tournament will feature a total of eight teams, split into two groups, with a packed schedule that includes a marquee clash between India and Pakistan on September 14.
India will also face Oman on September 12 and the UAE on September 17. Group A will include Pakistan, India, the UAE, and Oman. Group B will feature Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong. Following the group stage, the super four phase will determine the finalists, with the grand finale scheduled for September 28.
Asia Cricket Cup 2025: Neutral Venue Chosen Amid Geopolitical Strain
The selection of the UAE as host for the Asia Cricket Cup 2025 comes amid ongoing political and logistical challenges that made India an impractical choice for hosting. The upcoming Asia Cup was initially scheduled to be held in India, but escalating tensions—especially after the April 22 Pahalgam attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor—led to a change of venue. In May, Pakistan and India neared military conflict. This raised serious concerns about safety. Hosting international cricket in either country became uncertain.
The UAE emerged once again as a neutral and viable location, replicating the hybrid hosting model used during the 2023 Asia Cup and recent ICC events. The ACC’s Annual General Meeting in Dhaka confirmed the decision. All 25 member nations joined, either in person or online.
Despite early tensions, the BCCI, represented by vice-president Rajeev Shukla, also participated in the meeting remotely. India and Pakistan were unwilling to play on each other’s home soil. As a result, they agreed on a neutral venue. The UAE will host the 2025 Asia Cup cricket competition.
Asia Cricket Cup 2025: Schedule, Format, and Rising Rivalries
The Asia Cricket Cup 2025 format will maintain its traditional group stage, followed by a super four stage, leading up to the final match on September 28. With the Asia Cup teams now confirmed, excitement builds as old rivalries are renewed and emerging talents aim to make their mark.
The upcoming India vs Pakistan clash is set to attract huge global viewership. Recent geopolitical tensions have added to the anticipation. A legends match, including Shikhar Dhawan, was even cancelled due to the strain.
The UAE’s proven infrastructure and experience in hosting high-stakes tournaments make it a practical and politically neutral choice. The UAE’s successful hosting of past Asia Cup teams has boosted its credibility. It’s now seen as a dependable venue. This is especially important when regional tensions arise.
It remains the preferred choice when regional tensions risk disrupting competitions. As the upcoming Asia Cup draws near, fans are eagerly anticipating the action. Both political tensions and on-field performances are expected to influence the region’s biggest cricketing event.
