With the countdown underway for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025, the cricketing world now has a complete picture of the teams competing in this year’s highly anticipated event. The host nation United Arab Emirates (UAE) unveiled their final squad on Thursday, becoming the last team to lock in their lineup ahead of the tournament opener on September 9.
The 2025 edition of the Asia Cup will run from September 9 to 28, with matches staged across two major venues: the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi is set to host eight matches, including a crucial Super Four clash on September 23, while Dubai will witness the majority of fixtures, including the potential Pakistan–India clashes should both rivals progress from the group stage. All games will begin at 6:00 pm Gulf Standard Time, except for the September 15 meeting between UAE and Oman, which will have an adjusted start time.
The tournament curtain-raiser will feature Afghanistan against Hong Kong on September 9 in Dubai.
Groups and Squads
The eight teams are divided into two groups:
- Group A: Pakistan, India, Oman, UAE
- Group B: Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong
Pakistan will be led by Salman Agha, with Shaheen Shah Afridi spearheading the pace attack, while India has entrusted captaincy to Suryakumar Yadav in a squad that features stars like Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah. Defending champions Sri Lanka have turned to Charith Asalanka as skipper, while Afghanistan’s talisman Rashid Khan will once again lead from the front.
For hosts UAE, explosive opener Muhammad Waseem captains a balanced side combining domestic promise and experienced campaigners, as they look to make an impact on home soil. Oman, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong have also confirmed youthful squads with a mix of seasoned internationals.
A Tournament Steeped in Rivalry
The Asia Cup has long been a stage for high-pressure encounters, and the 2025 edition is no exception. The spotlight will firmly be on the Pakistan–India rivalry, which continues to be one of the sport’s most watched fixtures. If both teams progress from the group stage, fans can expect at least two meetings between the arch-rivals.
With all squads finalized and excitement building, the stage is set for nearly three weeks of action-packed cricket in the UAE, where seasoned giants and emerging nations will battle for Asian supremacy.
