India will play Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, according to the BCCI. The decision, which awaits official confirmation, comes amid political tensions between the two nations after the Pahalgam assault.
On July 24 and 25, the BCCI, PCB, ACC, and other member boards are holding their Annual General Meeting in Dhaka, according to Times Now. The meeting will decide the tournament’s format, location, and future.
Indian participation in the Asia Cup was doubtful due to political issues. India was first urged to boycott all Pakistan-India matches, including ACC and ICC competitions.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saika announced that the board had not decided to boycott the Asia Cup.
This morning, we’ve seen news of BCCI’s decision not to play in the Asia Cup and Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, both ACC events. “BCCI has not discussed or taken any such steps regarding upcoming ACC events, let alone written anything to the ACC,” he told Times Now.
UAE is the preferred neutral venue.
India has the 2025 hosting rights, however the tournament will not be hosted there. Pakistan refused to play in India, and both boards decided not to play in one other’s countries during Champions Trophy talks earlier this year. The competition will likely be held in Dubai or Abu Dhabi in the UAE.
Asia Cup 2025 would most likely be held from September 8 to 28, up from September 5. An exciting India-Pakistan match on September 7 has been scheduled but not approved.
This year’s Asia Cup will be T20 in preparation for 2026’s T20 World Cup. Eight teams—India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong—will compete in a group stage and Super Four. Super Four’s top two teams will face off in the final.
The UAE is the preferred neutral venue due to its world-class infrastructure and success hosting the IPL, Asia Cup, and World Cup qualifiers. Other destinations were less plausible due to political issues, including India’s trade conflicts with Bangladesh and the cancellation of the India-Pakistan World Championship of Legends match. BCCI representative Rajeev Shukla is attending the Dhaka AGM virtually.
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