Pakistan and India could meet thrice in Asia Cup 2025

ISLAMABAD: The Asia Cup remains one of the rare stages where political tensions do not prevent Pakistan and India from facing each other.

And that’s quite a relief for cricket fans, who could witness the two arch-rivals clashing up to three times in the same month.

Their first group stage fixture in the Asia Cup 2025 is set for September 14 in Dubai, expected to attract a packed stadium and millions of viewers worldwide.

Should both sides progress, they will meet again in the Super Four stage.

If they continue their strong run, the tournament final could also turn into a high-voltage Pakistan-India contest.

Asia Cup Tournament details

The 17th edition of the Asia Cup will begin on September 9 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the opening match scheduled between Afghanistan and Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi.

The final will be played on September 28 in Dubai.

Unlike the 2023 edition, which was in the 50-over format, this year’s tournament will be played as T20 internationals, serving as a build-up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.

Asia Cup Teams and groupings

For the first time in its history, eight teams will compete in the Asia Cup.

Pakistan, India, UAE and Oman have been placed in Group A, while Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Hong Kong will compete in Group B.

Nepal, who debuted in the 2023 edition, have also made it to the tournament again after qualifying through the ACC Premier Cup.

The top two teams from each group will move to the Super Four stage, with the best two sides advancing to the final in Dubai.

Asia Cup in T20 format

The Asia Cup has switched between one-day and T20 formats depending on the upcoming ICC World Cup.

It was played as a T20 tournament in 2016 and 2022, while reverting to the 50-over format in 2018 and 2023.

The 2025 edition will be the third time the competition is contested in T20 format, keeping teams aligned with preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Favourites and challengers

India enter the tournament as defending champions and favourites under Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy.

They lead the honours table with eight titles, followed by Sri Lanka with six, while Pakistan have lifted the trophy only two times, with first in 2000 and second in 2012.

The Men in Blue also hold a dominant 10-3 record against Pakistan in T20 internationals.

Pakistan, meanwhile, will be without their star duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, both left out of the shorter format due to poor form.

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Sri Lanka, who have historically performed well in Asia Cups, and Bangladesh, despite reaching three finals, are yet to win the title, making them one of the unluckiest teams in the competition’s history.

However, being known for springing surprises, Bangal Tigers remain potential challengers.

Asia Cup history

The Asia Cup was launched in 1984 by the Asian Cricket Council to promote cricket across the continent.

The inaugural edition was held in Sharjah with only three teams such as India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Since then, the tournament has expanded, with more Asian nations joining over the decades. Sri Lanka is the only team to have featured in all editions of the competition.