Asia Cup 2025: ACC Eyes September Launch Amid Easing Tensions

The Asia Cup tournament may be on track after a period of uncertainty. While definitive conclusions remain premature, a renewed sense of optimism surrounds the continental championship. This marks a shift from earlier doubts stemming from tensions between India and Pakistan.

While specifics are yet to be finalized, indications suggest a formal decision could emerge next week. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) anticipates releasing the schedule for the six-team tournament in early July, coinciding with a scheduled meeting.

If plans proceed smoothly, the ACC is reportedly aiming for a start in the second week of September, potentially on September 10. The tournament, to be played in the T20 format, will likely feature India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the UAE. Promotional activities for the tournament have already commenced.

India were champions of the previous edition of the Asia Cup in 2023 © Getty

The UAE remains the leading candidate to host the tournament. However, discussions are ongoing regarding a potential hybrid format. Although India is the designated host, the ACC previously decided that Asia Cup tournaments hosted by either India or Pakistan would be held at neutral venues.

Uncertainty clouded the tournament following the terror attack in Pahalgam in April. Tensions further escalated after India launched Operation Sindoor against Pakistan in May, raising concerns about the tournament's viability. Calls for a boycott of Pakistan in multilateral events also grew within India. Notably, India does not participate in bilateral cricket with Pakistan. Speculation even arose that India's potential boycott of Pakistan in global events would be discussed at the next ICC meeting.

However, recent developments in international cricket suggest a possible shift in the situation. The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently announced schedules for two major global events: the Women's ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, and the Women's T20 World Cup in England. India and Pakistan are slated to compete against each other in both tournaments, first on October 5 in Colombo and then on June 14 at Edgbaston.

While officials from the BCCI, ACC, and ICC have refrained from public comments, it appears that cricketing relations between the two rivals may continue, at least in global events. Matches between India and Pakistan are significant revenue generators for global cricket. While India and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are not heavily dependent on revenue from these high-profile matches, governing bodies like the ICC, the ACC, and their member boards rely on them considerably.