The 2025 Asia Cup will begin in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) today. India and Pakistan will play the tournament’s most important match on Sunday, September 14, in Dubai. They can face each other in the Super 4 and the championship game if both clubs make it that far.
This competition is being organized by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). This is the 17th edition of the tournament. All matches will be in T20 format. Its purpose is to prepare the teams for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Teams and groups
This time eight teams are participating. These include India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman and Hong Kong.
Two groups have been formed.
Group A: India, Pakistan, UAE and Oman
Group B: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong
Group B is being called the ‘Group of Death’. The reason is that there are three big teams in it. Only two of them will be able to go to the Super 4. One big team will be out in the initial stage itself.
Tournament format
In the group stage, every team will play with the remaining three teams of its group. The top two teams from each group will go to the Super 4. The teams of Super 4 will play each other. The top two teams will play the final in Dubai on 28 September.
Matches and venues
A total of 19 matches will be played. Out of these, 11 matches will be held at Dubai International Stadium. The remaining eight matches will be held at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The opening match will be played between Afghanistan and Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. India will play its first match against UAE on 10 September.
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India and Pakistan will face each other in Dubai on 14 September. This match is the biggest attraction of the tournament. All eyes are on the ultimate cricket showdown: India vs Pakistan. India, the most decorated side in Asia Cup history with 8 titles, enters the 2025 edition as the team to beat. Brimming with talent and energy, a young squad led by Suryakumar Yadav promises fireworks.
Yet, in the fast-paced world of T20 cricket, no result is guaranteed. While India is the favourite, any team can pull off a stunning upset, making this clash one of the most eagerly awaited events of the tournament.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said anything can happen in a fast-paced format like the T20.
“In T20s, I don’t really think anyone is favourite, because on a particular day you have to play good cricket. Because it’s T20 and a very fast game. In one ot two overs, the game can change, and I said the other day the tri-series was always a preparation for the Asia Cup, and the environment was like, ‘We have to win that tournament’, so I just said that in that way,” Agha said.
When Surya Kumar Yadav was informed by a journalist that India is being treated as the form favourite and the number one side by some distance, he said he hadn’t heard something like this.
“Kisne bola? Maine toh nahi suna (Who said this? I didn’t hear anything of this sort),” Surya said with a smile. “We are playing this format for a long time. If your preparations are good, you enter the field with a lot of confidence.”
India haven’t played T20 Eyes as a unit for a long time. “Yes, we are playing after a long time. But we landed here three to four days back. We have had some good practice sessions. So we are really looking forward to this tournament,” said Kumar
Pakistan entered the Asia Cup by winning the tri-series against the UAE and Afghanistan. “The tri-series was always a preparation. If you won it, that’s very good. If you didn’t, we still have to play, come here and play a good cricket and win the Asia Cup,” said Pakistan captain.
The Pakistan team is without two of their superstars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson said Babar had been challenged with improving his T20 game. “I think it’s really harsh to challenge a player on their form on three games,” he said at a press conference. “Babar played nicely in the first ODI but missed out on the next two. There’s no doubt Babar’s been asked to improve in some areas around taking on spin and in terms of his strike rate. Those are things he’s working really hard on.
“But at the moment, the players we have done exceptionally well. Sahibzada Farhan has played six games and won three Player of the Match awards. A player like Babar has an opportunity to play in the BBL and show he’s improving in those areas in T20s. He’s too good a player not to consider.”
Full schedule (8 pm IST)
September 9: Afghanistan vs Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi
September 10: India vs UAE, Dubai
September 12: Pakistan vs Oman, Dubai
September 13: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi
September 14: India vs Pakistan, Dubai
September 19: India vs Oman, Abu Dhabi
(The remaining matches include other group and Super 4 matches. The final will be held in Dubai on September 28.)
Where to watch
In India, all matches will be shown live on Sony Sports Network. Sony Ten 2, Sony 3, Sony 4 and Sony Six channels will broadcast it.
Live streaming will be available on Sony Liv app and website. Jio customers will be able to watch the matches for free on Jio TV.
