India’s high-voltage clash against Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 will go ahead as scheduled, despite recent uncertainty. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed its participation in the tournament and approved the much-anticipated encounter during an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting, according to sources.
On Saturday, the ACC officially released the tournament schedule, confirming that India and Pakistan will face off on September 14. Both teams are in Group A, alongside hosts UAE and Oman.
“The BCCI cannot withdraw from the tournament or the match now. The decision was finalised after the ACC meeting. Since India is hosting, no changes can be made at this stage,” BCCI sources told IANS.
The match had been in doubt following the cancellation of a Legends tournament game in Birmingham, where the India Champions team, led by Yuvraj Singh, refused to play against Pakistan Champions in protest after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. While that Legends match was called off, the BCCI has not made any move to boycott Pakistan in the official Asia Cup.
The 2025 Asia Cup will be held in the T20 format as part of the build-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup, and for the first time, will feature eight teams. Group B includes Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.
The top two teams from each group will progress to the Super Four stage, followed by the final, meaning India and Pakistan could meet up to three times during the tournament — in the group stage, Super Four, and potentially the final.
India are the defending champions, having defeated Sri Lanka in the 2023 final.
