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The Asia Cup 2025, originally scheduled to be hosted by India, is likely to go ahead in September as planned, despite escalating geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan following a recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. With growing public and political outrage in India, including calls for a ban on Pakistani artists and a potential cricketing boycott, the tournament’s fate had been clouded with uncertainty. However, a report by Cricbuzz has brought fresh clarity, indicating that the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is preparing to release the schedule in the first week of July and is targeting a tournament start date of September 10, with six teams expected to participate.
UAE emerges as front-runner to host Asia Cup 2025 amid India-Pakistan standoff
India’s designation as host has become unfeasible due to the prevailing diplomatic strain with Pakistan, prompting the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to explore alternate venues. The UAE has now emerged as the leading candidate to host the entire tournament, with ongoing discussions about a hybrid format still on the table. The hybrid model, which was used during the 2023 edition when Pakistan was the designated host, could see matches split between neutral venues and countries comfortable playing Pakistan and India separately.
Promotional activities have already kicked off. A promotional video during the first India-England Test in Headingley recently went viral, featuring T20I captains from India (Suryakumar Yadav), Sri Lanka (Charith Asalanka) and Bangladesh (Najmul Hossain Shanto). This strategic rollout suggests that the ACC is proceeding with tournament planning, despite not having made a formal announcement yet.
According to Cricbuzz:
“While nothing concrete has been finalised as yet, indications are that a formal decision could be taken next week. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is hopeful of releasing the schedule for the six-team tournament in the first week of July, when it is expected to convene,”
The participating teams will include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and the UAE, and the matches will follow the T20 format, serving as a crucial preparatory platform for teams ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Also READ: Pakistan out of Asia Cup 2025? Promo during England vs India Headingley Test raises eyebrows
Terror attack and operation Sindoor prompted boycott buzz
The Asia Cup was plunged into uncertainty following the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam in April 2025, which claimed the lives of several tourists. Tensions escalated rapidly after India launched Operation Sindoor, a significant military response, in May. These events led to public calls for India to boycott Pakistan in all ACC and ICC events, with further reports suggesting that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was considering withdrawing from matches involving Pakistan in upcoming tournaments.
However as per the Cricbuzz reports, recent developments seem to indicate a recalibration of the stance. While the BCCI and ICC have not made any public statements, insiders suggest that the financial implications of Indo-Pak fixtures are playing a major role in shaping decisions. These matches remain the most-watched and highest-grossing encounters in world cricket, benefiting broadcasters, sponsors, and global cricket boards alike.
“The recent turn of events in world cricket is suggestive of the situation heading into a different direction. In quick succession, the International Cricket Council (ICC) released the schedules for two global events – the Women’s ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, and the Women’s T20 World Cup in England. India and Pakistan are scheduled to face each other in both the tournaments – first on October 5 in Colombo, and then on June 14 at Edgbaston,” the report further stated.
As the clock ticks toward the ACC’s upcoming meeting in the first week of July, all eyes are now on the council’s formal decision. If all goes as expected, the Asia Cup 2025 will kick off from September 10, either fully in the UAE or using a split-host hybrid model. The final choice will depend on logistical and security considerations, especially concerning India and Pakistan’s participation.
Also READ: Team India’s complete schedule till IPL 2026: England tour, Asia Cup, T20 World Cup and much more
