All You Should Know About Asia Cup 2025: Dates, Teams, Venues, and the India-Pakistan Clash
By
The Asia Cup 2025 will run from September 9 to 28 in the United Arab Emirates, with matches hosted at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. This year’s edition will be played in the T20 format to help teams prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Eight teams will compete for the title, divided into two groups: Group A features India, Pakistan, Oman, and the UAE, while Group B includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong. Each team will face the others in its group once, with the top two from each group advancing to the Super Four stage. The final is scheduled for September 28.
To avoid the intense desert heat and cater to global TV audiences, most matches will begin at 6:30 PM UAE time, ensuring prime-time viewing for fans across Asia. The evening schedule is expected to create a vibrant atmosphere under the floodlights, especially for the high-profile fixtures.
The most anticipated clash of the group stage will be India vs Pakistan on September 14 in Dubai. If both teams progress, they could meet again in the Super Four on September 21, and possibly in the final on September 28. India will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, while Pakistan will be captained by Salman Ali Agha. Other captains include Rashid Khan for Afghanistan, Charith Asalanka for Sri Lanka, and Liton Das for Bangladesh. India’s aggressive batting and balanced bowling make them favourites, while Pakistan’s pace attack and consistent batting keep them dangerous contenders.
Tickets start at AED 475 (approximately PKR 36,000), while Super Four and final tickets are priced at AED 525 (around PKR 39,800). The large Indian and Pakistani communities in Dubai are already preparing for the matches, with hashtags like #PakvsInd and #AsiaCup2025 trending across social media.
The India-Pakistan clash has also sparked political debate, with some former players calling for a boycott, while others insist sport should remain separate from politics. India’s squad selection has raised eyebrows, particularly the omission of Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal, despite their strong IPL performances.
Cricket experts believe India is the strongest contender for the title, followed closely by Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Afghanistan and Bangladesh are considered unpredictable dark horses capable of causing upsets.