After a successful tour of England, where India came back from behind to hold the hosts to a 2-2 draw in the five-match series, the Indian cricket team will be next seen in action in the Asia Cup 2025 next month.
This edition of the Asia Cup will be contested in the T20 format and thus it will be a huge opportunity for the participating teams to test the waters of a multi-nation tournament ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
India, who are also the defending champions, were supposed to host the competition initially, but due to cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan in recent months, Pakistan denied visiting their neighbours. A neutral venue was eventually picked and the UAE is now all set to host the 2025 Asia Cup.
There will be eight teams participating in the Asia Cup 2025, including the hosts, the United Arab Emirates. The eight teams will be divided into two groups of four.
Arch-rivals India and Pakistan have been clubbed in Group A and as per the Asia Cup schedule, the two sides are supposed to lock horns in the group stage on September 14.
However, there have been doubts over whether India will contest in the competition due to the tensions between the two countries.
In the recent World Championship of Legends, a private tournament contested by yesteryear stars, India refused to play Pakistan twice, including in their clash in the semi-final, which led to the elimination of the star-studded Indian side, led by Yuvraj Singh.
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Will India vs Pakistan happen in Asia Cup 2025?
Emirates Cricket Board official Subhan Ahmed has revealed whether the India vs Pakistan clash will go ahead in the Asia Cup 2025.
Speaking to The National (via News18), Ahmed said: "We can’t make any guarantees, but comparing the Asia Cup against a private event like the WCL is not a like comparison.
"When decisions to play in the Asia Cup are taken, government permissions are taken in advance. That has definitely been done before arriving at the decision to announce the schedule for the countries. So hopefully we won’t be in a situation as there was at the WCL"
READ: Iyer poised for Asia Cup 2025 and WI Tests selection - Report
Asia Cup 2025: Schedule
| No. | Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Afghanistan vs Hong Kong | Sept 9 | TBA | 7:30 pm |
| 2. | India vs UAE | Sept 10 | TBA | 7:30 pm |
| 3. | Bangladesh vs Hong Kong | Sept 11 | TBA | 7:30 pm |
| 4. | Pakistan vs Oman | Sept 12 | TBA | 7:30 pm |
| 5. | Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka | Sept 13 | TBA | 7:30 pm |
| 6. | India vs Pakistan | Sept 14 | TBA | 7:30 pm |
| 7. | UAE vs Oman | Sept 15 | TBA | 7:30 pm |
| 8. | Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong | Sept 15 | TBA | 7:30 pm |
| 9. | Bangladesh vs Afghanistan | Sept 16 | TBA | 7:30 pm |
| 10. | Pakistan vs UAE | Sept 17 | TBA | 7:30 pm |
| 11. | Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan | Sept 18 | TBA | 7:30 pm |
| 12. | India vs Oman | Sept 19 | TBA | 7:30 pm |
| 13. | Super Four- TBC v TBC | Sept 20 | TBA | 7:30 pm |
| 14. | Super Four- TBC v TBC | Sept 21 | TBA | 7:30 pm |
| 15. | Super Four- TBC v TBC | Sept 23 | TBA | 7:30 pm |
| 16. | Super Four- TBC v TBC | Sept 24 | TBA | 7:30 pm |
| 17. | Super Four- TBC v TBC | Sept 25 | TBA | 7:30 pm |
| 18. | Super Four- TBC v TBC | Sept 26 | TBA | 7:30 pm |
| 19. | Final- TBC v TBC | Sept 28 | TBA | 7:30 pm |