The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has confirmed that the 17th edition of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to September 28, 2025.
ACC President and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced the dates on Saturday, calling it “a spectacular display of cricket that the world will be watching.”
This edition will be played in the T20 International format and will feature eight teams: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka (the five ACC full members), along with the UAE, Oman and Hong Kong.
Groups and format
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Group A: India, Pakistan, UAE, Oman
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Group B: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Hong Kong
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super Four stage, and the leading two sides from that stage will play the final on September 28.
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The tournament’s most anticipated fixture—India vs Pakistan—is scheduled for Sunday, September 14. Given the tournament format, the two teams could meet again in the Super Four and possibly in the final.
There has never been an India–Pakistan final in the Asia Cup, but this year’s structure leaves that possibility open.
I am delighted to confirm the dates for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 in UAE 🇦🇪 . The prestigious tournament will take place from September 9th to 28th. We look forward to a spectacular display of cricket! Detailed Schedule will be out soon. #Cricketwins
— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) July 26, 2025
Venues and hosting arrangements
Although India are the official hosts, an agreement between the BCCI and PCB allows for neutral venues when either India or Pakistan host tournaments.
As a result, all matches will be held in UAE venues such as Dubai and Sharjah, continuing the arrangement that also applied during the ICC Champions Trophy held in Pakistan earlier this year.
Group Stage Fixtures
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9 September (Tuesday): Afghanistan vs Hong Kong
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10 September (Wednesday): India vs UAE
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11 September (Thursday): Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
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12 September (Friday): Pakistan vs Oman
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13 September (Saturday): Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
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14 September (Sunday): India vs Pakistan
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15 September (Monday): UAE vs Oman
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15 September (Monday): Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong
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16 September (Tuesday): Bangladesh vs Afghanistan
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17 September (Wednesday): Pakistan vs UAE
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18 September (Thursday): Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong
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19 September (Friday): India vs Oman
Super Four Stage Fixtures
The Super Four will see the top two teams from each group face each other in the following matches:
20 September (Saturday): B1 vs B2
21 September (Sunday): A1 vs A2
23 September (Tuesday): A2 vs B1
24 September (Wednesday): A1 vs B2
25 September (Thursday): A2 vs B2
26 September (Friday): A1 vs B1
28 September ( Sunday) Final
The venue and dates were finalised at the ACC’s annual general meeting in Dhaka, where the tournament was a key agenda item.
For a brief period earlier this year, uncertainty surrounded the event following the India–Pakistan military skirmish in May. However, the confirmation of fixtures now sets the stage for one of the most exciting Asia Cups in recent years.
India enter as defending champions, having beaten Sri Lanka in the 2023 final. Sri Lanka won the previous T20I edition in 2022 by defeating Pakistan in the final.
With high-profile matches, including at least one guaranteed India–Pakistan clash and the potential for more, the 2025 Asia Cup is expected to attract massive viewership and significant commercial interest.
