- By Himanshu Badola
- Sun, 03 Aug 2025 12:47 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Asia Cup 2025: The much-awaited India vs Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025 is all set to be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 14 as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) confirmed Dubai and Abu Dhabi as the two host cities for the tournament on Saturday.
Amid all the speculations, the Asia Cup 2025 got the green light and is all set to start from September 9 in UAE. Of the 19 matches, Dubai will host 11, while Abu Dhabi will host the other eight. The tournament, which will be played in T20 format, will see the opening clash between Afghanistan and Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi. Notably, the tournament will run till September 28 and the final will also be played in Dubai.
Defending champions India have been drawn in Group A for the tournament, where it will be joined by Pakistan, hosts UAE, and Oman. On the other hand, Group B will include Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong. India's first Group A match of the Asia Cup 2025 against the United Arab Emirates is also scheduled to take place in Dubai on September 10, and the last group stage fixture against Oman will be played in Abu Dhabi on September 19.
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"The Asia Cup is more than just a tournament; it’s a celebration of Asian cricket. Hosting it in the UAE allows us to bring the excitement to one of the most vibrant cricketing hubs in the world. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are well equipped to deliver a seamless and world class experience for players, fans, and broadcasters alike," said ACC president Mohsin Naqvi.
The top two teams from each group will move on to another four-team group for the second stage, with the top two teams of that group proceeding to the final.
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The format of the tournament and the placement in the same group make at least two India-Pakistan matches possible, the second on September 21, also in Dubai, if it happens. It also leaves open the possibility of a third meeting in the final in Dubai on September 28. Notably, there has never been an India-Pakistan final in the Asia Cup.
India are the official hosts of the tournament, but, after an agreement between the BCCI and the PCB earlier this year, tournaments held in India or Pakistan will see a neutral venue provided for the other side for a three-year period.