Asia Cup 2025: Eight Nations Set to Battle for Asian Cricket Supremacy in UAE

11 September 2025 Cricket

Tournament Overview and Venue Change

The 2025 Asia Cup marks the tournament’s 17th edition and will take place from September 9 to September 28, 2025. This year’s competition will be played in the Twenty20 International (T20I) format, promising fast-paced and thrilling action for cricket fans worldwide.

While India was originally slated to host the tournament as per the hosting rights schedule, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) remains the official host, though the tournament has been moved to the UAE.

Tournament Format and Structure

The tournament features eight teams split into two groups of four. Each team will face every other team in their group once in a round-robin format. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Four stage, where the four qualifying teams will compete again in a round-robin format. The top two teams from the Super Four will then qualify for the final match.

Venues and Schedule Highlights

Of the 19 matches scheduled in the Asia Cup 2025, 11 matches, including the final, will be held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, while Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium will host the remaining eight matches.

The tournament will begin on September 9, with Team India playing its first match against hosts United Arab Emirates the following day. One of the most anticipated matches of the tournament – India versus Pakistan – is scheduled for September 14 in Dubai. Notably, these two rivals could potentially meet up to three times if both teams progress to the Super 4 stage and the final.

Participating Teams and Significance

The tournament features eight teams in total. The five full members of the Asian Cricket Council – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka – automatically qualified for the tournament. They are joined by United Arab Emirates, Oman and Hong Kong, who earned their spots by finishing in the top three in the 2024 ACC Men’s Premier Cup.

The Asia Cup 2025 is set to be an exciting event featuring top teams from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). This tournament will serve as an essential preparation time for sides heading into the 2026 T20 World Cup.