After the recent Pahalgam incident, tensions between India and Pakistan erupted in the cricket world, threatening the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025. After Indian players withdrew in protest, the highly anticipated match between the champions of India and Pakistan was called off last week.
The Asia Cup 2025 was on the verge of being cancelled after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had already cancelled India’s participation in the competition. While the ACC looked at alternate locations in an effort to keep the tournament on schedule, reports indicated that the board was awaiting approval from the Indian government before announcing its choice.
On Saturday, July 26, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) shocked everyone by announcing the Asia Cup’s official schedule amidst the dispute. The most notable aspect was the high-stakes match between India and Pakistan scheduled for September 14 in the United Arab Emirates, the tournament’s official host country. On social media, the revelation caused a great deal of fury, with many people urging the BCCI to boycott the Asia Cup.
The Asia Cup 2025 is currently expected to go forward according to schedule, despite the initial uncertainties. In consideration of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, the competition will be contested in the T20 format. The Asia Cup will include eight teams for the first time in its history.
Two groups have been formed from the eight participating teams. India, Pakistan, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates make up Group A, while Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka make up Group B. All qualifying teams will compete against one another in the Super Four stage, which will be attended by the top two teams from each group. The final will then be played between the top two Super Four teams.
The competition will start on September 9 and end on September 28 with the final. The first game will be between Hong Kong and Afghanistan.
See how X responded to the announcement of the India-Pakistan conflict.
Boycott India vs Pakistan and BCCI #AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/gFDWBT9YzH
— Ex Bhakt (@exbhakt_) July 26, 2025
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BCCI’s decision to schedule India vs Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025, just months after the Pahalgam attack, sparks outrage. Prioritizing profit over principle? #BoycottAsiaCup #PahalgamAttack
— Vinay (@Abey_haan) July 27, 2025
There was a dialogue in Special Ops 2.0 that the government fools you by selling 'deshbhakti churan'. I think it's true now, especially after the India vs Pakistan match in the Asia Cup, which seems to have been fixed.
Business matters more than the lost lives of soldiers and…— himansh (@himansh63588688) July 27, 2025
India Vs Pakistan Cricket Match on 14th September in UAE at the Asia Cup. Don’t understand the logic. Either you stand against terrorism and the terrorist state and ban ties or else let everything be as usual... Why fool the public time and again , Thats Really Bad , They Try to…
— Aditya Kaushik (@INrealSHINE) July 27, 2025
The life of every Indians is important than the India vs Pakistan match. I don't want a match between India & Pakistan in the upcoming cricket asia cup because Pakistan is a terrorist country and responsible for terrorism in India.@BCCI & @JayShah must think twice & cancel it.
— Aninda Sarkar (@sarkaraninda02) July 27, 2025