Cricket fans could witness up to three high-stakes encounters between India and Pakistan this year as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) plans to stage the Asia Cup in September. The tournament, which will follow the T20 format, is expected to run between the second and fourth weeks of the month.
Initially assigned to India, the tournament is now set to take place at a neutral venue due to the long-standing political tensions between the two nations. While the final location is yet to be confirmed, reports suggest that Sri Lanka and the UAE are being considered.
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Despite the change in venue, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will retain hosting rights. The ACC has introduced a policy mandating neutral venues whenever India or Pakistan is designated as the host.
This approach aims to prevent disputes, as both cricket boards have consistently declined to play in each other’s countries. A similar arrangement was made for the ongoing Champions Trophy, where India’s matches were shifted to Dubai.
The 2025 Asia Cup will feature eight teams: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong. Nepal, which participated in the previous edition, did not qualify this time.
Teams will be divided into two groups, with India and Pakistan placed in the same one. At least two matches between the arch-rivals are guaranteed—one in the group stage and another in the Super Four—while a third clash could occur in the final.
The ACC’s long-term scheduling includes Asia Cup tournaments through 2031, with formats alternating between T20 and ODI. The upcoming 2029 edition, officially hosted by the PCB, will also be played at a neutral venue under the same policy.
