India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 match date announced? Check details

Seems like the authorities are inclined towards not letting the hostilities between India and Pakistan affect the cricketing calendar. The conflict that broke out between the neighboring nations earlier this year rendered the possibility of any relations between the two unlikely. The India-Pakistan conflict, flamed by the heinous terror attack in Pakistan, swiftly escalated into the neighbours launching drones and missiles across the borders as India finally decided to put Pakistan in place for its terror-harboring notoriety. Pakistan retaliated, and the attacks even affected the IPL 2025 and PSL schedule. While a ceasefire came into effect, the chances of a India vs Pakistan clash at the Asia Cup 2025 as scheduled ahead seemed next to impossible.

However, months later, the situation seems to have de-escalated, at least on the sporting front. Earlier reports suggested that the BCCI had informed of its decision not to play in the Asia Cup 2025. The Asia Cup, played under the Asian Cricket Council, currently headed by PCB chief and Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, seemed just the kind of event the neighbours would avoid following the war-like standoff. India, meanwhile, showed no interest in participating in a tournament led by a board headed by a Pakistani national.

India vs Pakistan likely scheduled for September 7 as Asia Cup 2025 schedule nears confirmation

The latest reports emerging months later, however, have dashed all earlier updates. According to the most recent report, not only is the Asia Cup still on track, but India and Pakistan could also be placed in the same group. The report informed that the Asian Cricket Council has approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India, urging swift finalisation of the Asia Cup 2025 schedule. The request comes amid growing pressure from sponsors and broadcasters, who fear potential financial setbacks due to ongoing uncertainty surrounding the tournament’s timeline.

The delay in confirming fixtures has created unease among media partners and commercial stakeholders. The ACC, alongside key sponsors, has reportedly asked the BCCI to settle the schedule by the end of this week to prevent disruptions to marketing and broadcasting plans. The recent developments suggest that the event may now proceed as planned, with a tentative schedule already taking shape.

If all falls into place, cricket fans could witness a potential triple-header between arch-rivals India and Pakistan within just 21 days. As per the report, the Asia Cup 2025 is expected to begin on Friday, September 5. The group stage fixture between India and Pakistan is likely to be played on Sunday, September 7.

Sticking with the Group Stage and Super Four structure used in the previous two editions (2022 and 2023), the T20-format tournament could see a second India vs Pakistan showdown on Sunday, September 14. However, the clash would shape up only if both teams progress to the next round. The final is tentatively set for Sunday, September 21, marking a potential third meeting between the two teams in just three weeks.

Moreover, there's another update on the venue for the ACC T20 tournament. Initially, India was slated to host the tournament. However, a compromise was reached between India and Pakistan during the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year that mandated both teams to host their respective tournaments under the hybrid model. As India refused to tour Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, the ICC clarified that Pakistan would play its matches at a neutral venue if India is set as the host for future tournaments. Now, with both countries maintaining their stance on not touring each other’s territory, the UAE is being considered the most probable neutral venue for the Asia Cup 2025 edition.

Meanwhile, more updates around the upcoming Asia Cup suggest that the ACC is aiming to announce the official schedule in the first week of July. However, sources suggest that a formal decision is still pending, with a final call expected next week. The Asia Cup 2025 will be contested by six teams, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the UAE, and played entirely in the T20 format. However, with the BCCI still sorting a government approval for the Bangladesh series at home, it appears unclear how the conditions would shape up for India playing Pakistan at Asia Cup.