The 2025 Asia Cup will be played in the T20I format, serving as preparation for the T20 World Cup next year. However, the future of the upcoming edition remains uncertain.
When and where will the 2025 Asia Cup be played?
As per the tentative schedule, the Asia Cup is expected to be held in September. Despite India being the host nation, a hybrid model is likely to be adopted due to the reluctance of both India and Pakistan to travel to each other's countries.
The ACC has yet to release the official schedule and venues, but UAE is reported to be the front-runner to host the tournament, having also hosted India's matches at the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Other than India and Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Oman, UAE, and Hong Kong are set to participate in the eight-team event.
Will the cancellation of the India-Pakistan WCL match have any bearing on the Asia Cup?
In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and the military conflict India and Pakistan were involved in two months ago, political relations between the two nations have gone from bad to worse.
Also read: Why India-Pakistan conflict could determine cricket’s future
On Sunday (July 20), India Champions and Pakistan Champions were scheduled to play at the 2025 World Championship of Legends in Birmingham. But backlash from Indian fans and Indian players backing out of the match led to the organisers cancelling the game less than 24 hours before the start.
However, the WCL is a private T20 league not affiliated to the BCCI which means the cancellation of the India-Pakistan game shouldn't necessarily spell trouble for the Asia Cup.
In May, speculation arose that India might withdraw from both the Men’s Asia Cup and the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup. However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had denied those reports in a statement to the Times of India, calling them "devoid of any truth".
Last week, India's sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya also clarified that the Indian government doesn't have "any problems playing with Pakistan" in any sport. "Our stand is clear. We don’t have any problems playing with Pakistan in any international sporting event, be it cricket, hockey or any other sport. But when it comes to bilateral engagements, the government position is known to all," he said.
The Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, originally scheduled to begin on June 6 in Sri Lanka, was eventually postponed. However, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) president Shammi Silva cited concerns over the southwest monsoon and a regional outbreak of chikungunya disease as the reasons for the decision.
Reports: BCCI refuse to travel to Dhaka for ACC meeting
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which organises the Asia Cup, is set to hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Dhaka on July 24. However, ACC president Mohsin Naqvi and BCCI are reportedly not on the same page regarding the venue.
According to an India Today report, BCCI is reluctant to send representatives to Bangladesh due to India's heightened geopolitical tensions with its eastern neighbour and has threatened to boycott any resolutions passed if the location isn't changed.
"The BCCI has clearly communicated its stance to both the ACC and chairperson Naqvi. They have also personally requested a change in venue, but there has been no response so far," an India Today source revealed.
According to an ANI source, Naqvi, who also serves as a minister in Pakistan’s central government, is allegedly exerting "unnecessary pressure" on India.
"Asia Cup can happen only if the meeting venue changes from Dhaka. ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi is trying to assert unnecessary pressure on India for the meeting. We requested him to change the venue, but have received no response. BCCI will boycott any resolution if Mohsin Naqvi goes ahead with the meeting in Dhaka," said the source quoted by ANI.
Virat Kohli's highest T20I rating has risen from 897 to 909 in an ICC update.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) July 16, 2025
He is now the only batter in history to cross 900 rating points in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is 🔥
Is he the greatest all-format batter of all time? pic.twitter.com/x6LxUUtM1f
India were scheduled to tour Bangladesh for white-ball games in August, but the tour was postponed two weeks back. "(We) have mutually agreed to defer the white-ball series, three ODIs and three Twenty20 Internationals, between Bangladesh and India in August 2025 to September 2026," BCCI and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had said in a joint statement.
Where this leaves the fate of the Asia Cup remains to be seen.
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
