The Asia Cup 2025 begins on September 9, with India playing their first game the very next day on September 10. From September 9 to 28, cricket fans across the world – especially in the subcontinent – will be glued to their screens. The biggest talking point is, of course, the possibility of India and Pakistan facing each other up to three times during the tournament.
This year’s Asia Cup will be played in the T20 format. That also means some familiar faces like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma won’t be part of the action, as India looks toward their next generation of stars.
Why the UAE is Hosting This Year
India was originally supposed to host the tournament. But given the tense political relations with Pakistan, neither country was willing to play on the other’s soil. To avoid complications, the Asian Cricket Council chose the UAE as neutral ground for the tournament.
The Teams and Groups
Eight teams will compete in this edition of the Asia Cup. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan earned direct entry. The other three – UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong – booked their spots through the 2024 ACC Premier Cup.
Group A: India, Pakistan, UAE, Oman
Group B: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka
Full Schedule of the Asia Cup 2025
Asia Cup 2025 – Group Stage Matches
Sep 9: Afghanistan vs Hong Kong – Abu Dhabi (8:00 PM IST)
Sep 10: India vs UAE – Dubai (8:00 PM IST)
Sep 11: Bangladesh vs Hong Kong – Abu Dhabi (8:00 PM IST)
Read More
Sep 12: Pakistan vs Oman – Dubai (8:00 PM IST)
Sep 13: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka – Abu Dhabi (8:00 PM IST)
Sep 14: India vs Pakistan – Dubai (8:00 PM IST)
Sep 15: UAE vs Oman – Abu Dhabi (5:30 PM IST)
Sep 15: Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong – Dubai (8:00 PM IST)
Sep 16: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan – Abu Dhabi (8:00 PM IST)
Read More
Sep 17: Pakistan vs UAE – Dubai (8:00 PM IST)
Sep 18: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan – Abu Dhabi (8:00 PM IST)
Sep 19: India vs Oman – Abu Dhabi (8:00 PM IST)
Asia Cup 2025 – Super Four Matches
Sep 20: B1 vs B2 – Dubai (8:00 PM IST)
Sep 21: A1 vs A2 – Dubai (8:00 PM IST)
Sep 23: A2 vs B1 – Abu Dhabi (8:00 PM IST)
Sep 24: A1 vs B2 – Dubai (8:00 PM IST)
Sep 25: A2 vs B2 – Dubai (8:00 PM IST)
Sep 26: A1 vs B1 – Dubai (8:00 PM IST)
Asia Cup 2025 – Final
Sep 28: Final – Dubai (8:00 PM IST)
Asia Cup 2025 – Why Nepal Missed Out
Nepal has been making waves in recent years, but it couldn’t make the cut this time. Despite topping their group in the 2024 ACC Premier Cup, they lost in the semifinals and then fell short in the third-place match against Hong Kong. That loss opened the door for Hong Kong to qualify instead.
Asia Cup 2025 – Tournament Format
The Asia Cup has been split into two groups of four. Every team plays each other once in the group stage. The top two from each group move into the Super Four round, where everyone plays each other again. From there, the best two sides advance to the final in Dubai on September 28.
India vs Pakistan: How Many Clashes?
The first high-voltage India vs Pakistan match is set for September 14. If both qualify for the Super Four, fans can expect another blockbuster clash on September 21. And if both teams go all the way, there could even be a third showdown in the final.
Asia Cup 2025 – Prize Money
The winning team this year is expected to take home around $300,000 (approximately ₹2.6 crore). The runners-up are likely to receive $150,000. An official announcement is still awaited.
ALSO READ: Viktor Axelsen’s Comeback At Hong Kong Open: What To Expect
