Asia Cup 2025 set to be moved to UAE from India, to be played in T20 format in September

The Asia Cup 2025 is set to be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) instead of India, as reported by Cricbuzz. The tournament, which will be hosted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is scheduled to take place in September and will follow the T20 format.

The decision to shift the tournament from India aligns with the agreement between the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding hosting rights. Given the ongoing political tensions and the precedent set by the Hybrid Model in the 2023 Asia Cup and the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has opted for a neutral venue to avoid any logistical or diplomatic challenges.

Asia Cup 2025: Format and Teams

This edition of the Asia Cup will feature eight teams, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong. Nepal, which participated in the 2023 edition, has failed to qualify this time.

The format remains the same as the previous editions, with teams divided into two groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Four stage, where they will play a round-robin format. The top two teams from the Super Four will then compete in the final for the Asia Cup title.

India vs Pakistan Clash Expected Multiple Times

One of the biggest attractions of the Asia Cup is the high-stakes India-Pakistan rivalry, and fans could be treated to three encounters between the two arch-rivals. India and Pakistan will be placed in the same group, ensuring at least one group-stage clash. If both teams progress to the Super Four, they will face off again, and if they make it to the final, it will set up a third showdown in the tournament.

Long-Term Asia Cup Schedule Finalised

The ACC has also mapped out the Asia Cup tournaments till 2031, alternating between ODI and T20 formats.

• 2025: T20 format (UAE) – Hosted by BCCI
• 2027: ODI format (Bangladesh)
• 2029: T20 format (Neutral venue, hosted by PCB)
• 2031: ODI format (Sri Lanka)

With the tournament’s shift to the UAE, the Asia Cup 2025 promises high-intensity cricket, particularly with the India-Pakistan rivalry taking center stage once again.