Asia Cup 2025 Likely to Begin September 10, UAE Preferred Host Amid India-Pakistan Tensions

There were doubts about whether the Asia Cup 2025 would happen as planned because of rising political tensions between India and Pakistan, especially after the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. However, according to a report by Cricbuzz, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is now likely to announce the official schedule in the first week of July.

Many people have called on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to stop playing cricket against Pakistan, even in big tournaments like those organized by the ACC and ICC. Team India’s men’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, was also one of those who said that India should completely end all cricket matches and ties with Pakistan.

ACC Targets September 10 Start for T20 Tournament

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is hopeful about holding the tournament in September. A final decision is likely to be made within the next week. If everything goes as planned, the T20-format event is expected to begin in the second week of September.

"If all goes according to plan, the ACC is believed to be targeting a start in the second week of September. More specifically, the tournament - to be played in the T20 format - is likely to begin on September 10," the report read.

UAE Likely to Host Asia Cup 2025 Amid Political Tensions, Hybrid Format Considered

The Asia Cup 2025 is set to be played in the T20 format, with organizers aiming to begin the tournament on September 10. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the UAE will participate in the event.

The UAE is now the top choice to host the tournament. Although India was originally supposed to host it, ongoing political tensions with Pakistan make it difficult to hold the event there. Because of this, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is also thinking about using a hybrid model to organize the tournament.

"The UAE continues to remain the frontrunner to host the tournament, although there is also some discussion around staging it in a hybrid format. While India is the designated host this time, the ACC had earlier decided that when it is India or Pakistan's turn to host the Asia Cup, the tournament would be held in a neutral venue, for understandable reasons," the report on Asia Cup 2025 added.

ICC Confirms India-Pakistan Matchups in Women’s ODI and T20 World Cups

The ICC has announced the schedules for two important women’s cricket events. The Women’s ODI World Cup will be held in both India and Sri Lanka, while the Women’s T20 World Cup will take place in England. A highlight of both tournaments is that India and Pakistan will face each other on October 5 in Colombo for the ODI World Cup and on June 14 at Edgbaston for the T20 World Cup.

Officials from the BCCI, ACC, and ICC have remained silent on the issue. These high-profile matches are financially important for the ICC, ACC, and other member boards. Canceling these games would probably cause a big financial loss for the people who run the sport worldwide. This seems to be a main reason why they want to keep the rivalry going on the international level.

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