- विज्ञापन -
New Delhi: The Asia Cup 2025 is set to proceed after months of uncertainty, with India and Pakistan likely to be drawn into the same group, setting the stage for at least two high-voltage encounters in the group stages and possibly a third in the final.
The tournament, which had been hanging in the balance due to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, has now received the green light following crucial discussions at the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Annual General Meeting held in Dhaka.
Indian cricket board officials, while not attending in person due to ongoing diplomatic tensions with Bangladesh, participated virtually, signaling a softening of their stance after earlier threats of non-participation.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which holds the hosting rights for the eight-team T20 continental tournament, has proposed to shift the Asia Cup to a neutral venue, given Pakistan’s refusal to play in India.
The United Arab Emirates has emerged as the front-runner, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi identified as the likely locations. Although an agreement has been signed with the Emirates Cricket Board for the use of three venues, only two are expected to be used during the tournament.
The discussions between BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla and ACC President as well as Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi are expected to finalize both the venues and the match schedule in the coming days.
A tentative window between September 8 and September 28 has been proposed for the tournament, with a soft draft suggesting that India and Pakistan will meet in their opening clash on September 7.
T20 World Cup 2026
The tournament will serve as a critical preparatory platform for teams ahead of the T20 World Cup, scheduled for February 2026.
Financial backing remains a key element of the tournament’s success, with Indian sponsors and broadcasters playing a central role. Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) had secured the media rights to Asia Cup events in 2024 in a deal valued at approximately USD 170 million over eight years.
The guarantee of multiple India-Pakistan fixtures in a short window is expected to drive massive advertising revenue, providing further incentive for all stakeholders to ensure the tournament proceeds as planned.
India Vs Pakistan
Earlier this year, there were strong calls within India to boycott Pakistan in all global cricketing events, following the deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of several tourists.
At the time, the BCCI maintained that any decision regarding India’s participation would only be made after consulting with the Government of India.
BCCI dismisses Boycott Rumours
However, signs of de-escalation emerged when BCCI secretary Devajit Saika dismissed boycott rumours, and Rajeev Shukla confirmed participation in the ACC meeting, albeit virtually.
A key meeting between the BCCI, ACC, PCB, and other member boards is currently underway to finalize the tournament’s roadmap. With all major hurdles now seemingly cleared, the stage is set for a thrilling edition of the Asia Cup, likely to be held in the UAE, with India and Pakistan reigniting one of the fiercest rivalries in world cricket on neutral soil.
