Asia Cup 2025 Likely to be Shifted

The 2025 Asia Cup, originally scheduled to be hosted by India, is now highly likely to be shifted to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this September, according to multiple recent reports. The move comes as a direct result of ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.

While India retains the official hosting rights, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is expected to finalize the UAE as the neutral venue. The UAE, with its proven track record of hosting major cricket tournaments—including the 2021 T20 World Cup and previous Asia Cups—offers world-class facilities and a neutral ground that is acceptable to all participating nations.

The 2025 Asia Cup will be played in the T20 format, serving as a key warm-up for the ICC T20 World Cup in 2026. The tournament will feature 19 matches over two weeks, with eight teams competing.

The ACC is expected to make a formal announcement soon, but all signs point to the UAE as the host. Sri Lanka was also considered, but the UAE’s infrastructure and neutrality have made it the frontrunner. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will remain the official host on paper, but the matches will be played in the UAE’s iconic stadiums in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.

Sources have also revealed that a tri-nation T20I series involving Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the UAE is likely to be played in the Emirates ahead of the Asia Cup. Originally, Afghanistan was scheduled to tour Pakistan in August for a bilateral T20 series, but discussions are underway to expand this into a triangular contest by including the UAE team.