According to a report, the Asia Cup 2025 is likely to begin on September 10, with both India and Pakistan confirmed to participate.
Asia Cup 2025 Set to Proceed Amid Security Concerns and Hybrid Hosting Talks
There were initial doubts surrounding the Asia Cup 2025 after the terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which escalated tensions between India and Pakistan. Amid growing calls for the BCCI to boycott matches against Pakistan in both ACC and ICC tournaments, the future of the competition appeared uncertain. However, a report by Cricbuzz now suggests that the path has cleared for the tournament to go ahead later this year.
Organisers are reportedly optimistic about holding the Asia Cup 2025 in September, with a formal decision expected within the coming week. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is also preparing to release the full schedule in the first week of July. This edition of the tournament will be played in the T20 format, with September 10 being considered as the start date.
If plans proceed smoothly, the tournament will feature India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the UAE. The UAE is currently the frontrunner to host the event. Though India is the designated host for this edition, ongoing discussions point toward a hybrid hosting model—consistent with the ACC’s earlier decision to use neutral venues when India or Pakistan are scheduled to host.
BCCI refutes reports of pulling out of Asia Cup
In May 2025, speculation arose that the BCCI might withdraw from the Asia Cup 2025 following growing calls for India to boycott Pakistan in global cricket events. The demands intensified after a terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, claimed the lives of 26 tourists, and tensions further escalated with India launching Operation Sindoor, targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Amid these developments, several media reports claimed India would pull out of the upcoming six-team Asia Cup. However, the BCCI firmly refuted such claims. Board secretary Devajit Saikia told Hindustan Times that the issue of the Asia Cup had not even been discussed.
“The Asia Cup matter or any other ACC event issue has not come up for discussion at any level. Hence, any news or report on that is purely speculative and imaginary,” Saikia clarified.
It’s worth noting that India and Pakistan do not play bilateral cricket and only face each other in multilateral ICC or ACC tournaments. The last such encounter took place during the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy in Dubai.
