Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong China will compete. India enter as defending champions.
The Asia Cup 2025 will begin on September 9 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed on Saturday.
“I am delighted to confirm the dates for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE,” said Naqvi, who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board. “The prestigious tournament will take place from September 9 to 28. We look forward to a spectacular display of cricket,” he posted on X.
Although the BCCI are the official hosts, the tournament is being staged in the UAE following an agreement between India and Pakistan to play at neutral venues until 2027 due to ongoing cross-border tensions.
This will be the 17th edition of the Asia Cup, featuring eight teams divided into two groups. The five full ACC members — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka — will be joined by hosts UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong China.
The Asia Cup, established in 1983 and played every two years, crowns the continental champions. India are the most successful side, lifting the trophy eight times, while Sri Lanka have won six and Pakistan twice.
Since 2016, the tournament has alternated between ODIs and T20Is. This year it will be played in the T20I format, serving as a crucial build-up to the T20 World Cup in 2026.
The last T20 edition in 2022 was won by Sri Lanka, who defeated Pakistan in the final.
