Asia Cup 2025 likely to kick off on 10 September: Reports

The next edition of the Asia Cup was planned to be held in India, a 20-over ACC tournament. However, the standoff between the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board during the ICC Champions Trophy eventually resulted in both neighbours adapting to a hybrid model, arranging each other’s matches at neutral grounds. India played the entirety of the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka and UAE emerged as the likely options for Pakistan to play the Asia Cup 2025. However, the future of the ACC tournament hung in the balance after the India-Pakistan conflict of May.

Path clear for Asia Cup 2025 to launch in action in Septemper, says latest report

A heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, threw India over the edge as the nation finally took action against Pakistan, notorious for providing a breeding ground for terrorists. India completed a mission to demolish major terrorist hubs inside the Pakistan border under Operation Sindoor. However, the move irked the neighbours as a full-fledged conflict kicked off. The use of drones and missiles orchestrated a war-like situation between India and Pakistan, also affecting the PSL and IPL 2025. While a ceasefire was swiftly reached, the chances of India and Pakistan engaging in any kind of interaction, be it on the sporting ground, appeared impossible from there.

The India-Pakistan conflict cast a shadow on the future of the Asia Cup 2025. Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chief and an internal minister of Pakistan, is currently heading the Asian Cricket Council. Earlier reports stated that the BCCI had officially contacted the ICC, informing them of their decision to not participate in the tournament headed by the Pakistani official. With India, the host, pulling out of the tournament, the Asia Cup made little to no sense. Further updates suggested that Pakistan was planning to organise a tri-series in that window, as the Asia Cup appeared all but cancelled.

However, the latest update on the tournament has suggested the likeliness of Asia Cup 2025 going on floors in September. According to the report, organisers appear confident about conducting the Asia Cup 2025 in the month of September, with a final call expected to be taken sometime next week. The ACC, meanwhile, is eyeing an early July window to unveil the schedule for the six-nation event. This edition will follow the T20 format, and September 10 is being viewed as a potential start date.

Should everything fall into place, the Asia Cup 2025 will see participation from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the UAE. As of now, the UAE is emerging as the leading contender to host the competition. The report also highlights ongoing deliberations over possibly adopting a hybrid hosting model. While India holds the hosting rights for this edition, the ACC had previously agreed that when it is India or Pakistan’s turn to host, the tournament would be played at a neutral venue due to the two nations' diplomatic tensions.