Asia Cup 2025: ACC Targets September Start Amid Growing Optimism

The Asia Cup saga may be approaching a resolution. While definitive conclusions remain premature, a palpable sense of optimism now surrounds the continental championship, contrasting sharply with earlier uncertainties fueled by tensions between India and Pakistan.

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

While concrete details are pending, a formal decision is anticipated next week. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is reportedly aiming to release the schedule for the six-team tournament in early July, coinciding with a planned meeting.

If all proceeds smoothly, the ACC is reportedly aiming for a September commencement, potentially on September 10. The T20 format tournament will likely feature India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the UAE. Promotional activities have already commenced.

The UAE remains the leading candidate to host the event, though a hybrid format is also under consideration. While India is the designated host, prior ACC decisions stipulate that Asia Cup tournaments hosted by either India or Pakistan should be held at neutral venues.

The tournament's future was previously clouded by the terror attack in Pahalgam in April. Subsequent events further strained the situation, raising doubts about the tournament and prompting calls for India to boycott Pakistan in multilateral events, given their existing bilateral cricket freeze. Discussions regarding a potential India boycott of Pakistan in global events were even rumored for the upcoming ICC meeting.

However, recent developments suggest a potential shift. The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently unveiled schedules for two major events: the Women's ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, and the Women's T20 World Cup in England. Notably, India and Pakistan are scheduled to clash in both tournaments, on October 5 in Colombo and June 14 at Edgbaston, respectively.

While official comments from the BCCI, ACC, or ICC remain absent, these developments suggest a continuation of cricketing ties between the rivals, at least in global events. These matches are significant revenue generators for global cricket, benefiting governing bodies like the ICC and ACC, and their member boards, which rely on these high-profile encounters. While India and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may not be as dependent on this revenue, it is crucial for the financial stability of global cricket administration.