The 2025 Asia Cup, scheduled for September in India, faces uncertainty following escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The ACC has yet to confirm if the T20 tournament will proceed as planned.
Asia Cup 2025 Format and Participants
Set to be the 17th edition of the Asia Cup, the tournament is scheduled to feature eight teams in a T20 format. Five full members of the Asian Cricket Council—Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and India (pending confirmation)—are joined by UAE, Hong Kong, and Oman, who qualified through the 2024 ACC Premier Cup.
Group Stage Structure Announced
Teams will compete in two groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the Super Four stage. The best two teams from there will face off in the final. However, the tournament structure may be revised if India or Pakistan opt out.
India-Pakistan Conflict Threatens Event
Recent military clashes between the two neighbours have reignited longstanding political tensions. While India was announced as host in July 2024, its cricket board has made no firm commitment. “We have been busy with the IPL and other tours,” a senior BCCI official said. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s board stated, “We will cross that bridge when we come to it.”
Cricketing Deadlock Continues
Bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan has been suspended since 2013. The two teams only meet in multi-nation tournaments. India previously declined to tour Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, forcing the matches to be held in the UAE.
ACC Remains Silent
The Asian Cricket Council, headed by Pakistan’s Mohsin Naqvi, has yet to issue an official update on the Asia Cup. The uncertainty mirrors the recent postponement of the Women’s Emerging Asia Cup in Sri Lanka due to health and weather concerns.
