India and Pakistan will renew their iconic rivalry in the 2025 Men’s Asia Cup, with the two teams drawn together in Group A for the tournament, scheduled to be held in the UAE from September 9 to 28. Their much-anticipated group-stage encounter will take place on September 14, with the possibility of two more high-stakes matches between them — including a potential final.
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) officially announced the dates on Saturday, with ACC President and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi revealing details of the 17th edition of the tournament. With the T20 World Cup around the corner, the 2025 Asia Cup will be played in the T20I format and, for the first time, feature eight teams, up from six in the previous edition.
Tournament Format and Groups
- Group A: India, Pakistan, Oman, UAE
- Group B: Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong
- Opening Match: Bangladesh vs Hong Kong on September 9
- India vs Pakistan: September 14 (group stage), September 21 (Super 4s, if both qualify)
- Final: September 28
The top two teams from each group will move into the Super Four stage, forming a fresh group. The top two sides from that stage will then clash in the final. Despite numerous close calls over the years, an India vs Pakistan Asia Cup final has never happened — but this year, the chances are real.
Neutral Venue Agreement in Effect
While India are officially listed as hosts, the entire tournament will take place in the UAE following the BCCI-PCB agreement that allows for neutral venues when either side hosts. This arrangement, finalised ahead of the Champions Trophy earlier this year, ensures both teams can participate without political or logistical barriers. In that tournament too, India played all its matches in Dubai, including the final against Pakistan, which they won.
The venue confirmation comes after weeks of uncertainty, especially following military tensions between India and Pakistan in May. However, a successful ACC AGM in Dhaka paved the way for a green signal, and Naqvi later confirmed that all key logistics had been finalised.
High Stakes and History
The India-Pakistan clash remains the biggest draw of the Asia Cup — commercially and emotionally — attracting global viewership and immense fanfare. The tournament format, which places them in the same group and then in the potential Super Four, almost guarantees at least two encounters, with the possibility of a third in the final — a mouth-watering prospect for fans.
India enter the tournament as defending champions, having beaten Sri Lanka in the 2023 final. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are the reigning T20I format champions, having won the 2022 edition by defeating Pakistan.
