Asia Cup schedule out: Will India-Pakistan match face same WCL fallout?

Karachi: The men's Asia Cup 2025 will be held in United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to 28, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed on Saturday. However, speculation has already begun over whether the highly anticipated India-Pakistan match might meet the same fate as the recently scrapped World Championship of Legends (WCL) fixture between the two countries.

The WCL match was officially cancelled after heavy criticism, particularly over some Indian players’ decision to participate in the tournament despite recent tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack. Organisers issued an apology, stating that the fixture unintentionally hurt public sentiment and caused discomfort among Indian cricket legends.

Naqvi, who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), announced the tournament dates via a post on X (formerly Twitter). “I am delighted to confirm the dates of the ACC Men's Asia Cup 2025 in UAE. The prestigious tournament will take place from September 9th to 28th. We look to a spectacular display of cricket. Details schedule will be out soon,” Naqvi posted.

As per the draft itinerary in possession of PTI, the marquee group match between India and Pakistan will be held at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday (September 14).

The arch-rivals are clubbed in the same group and are expected to square off again in a Super Four game on next Sunday (September 21). India will start its campaign against UAE on September 10 and are likely to play all its matches in Dubai.

India, Pakistan, UAE and Oman are clubbed in group A, while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong are in group B. The ACC will allow 17-member squads for the 19-match tournament and matches will be played in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

India's Asia Cup group league itinerary

September 10: India vs UAE

September 14: India vs Pakistan

September 19: India vs Oman

Super Four schedule

September 20: B1 vs B2

September 21: A1 vs A2 (likely India vs Pakistan)

September 23: A2 svs B1

September 24: A1vs B2

September 25: A2 vs B2

September 26: A1 vs B1

Final

September 28: Final match

The Asia Cup is played under the aegis of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which is currently headed by Naqvi. The five full members of the ACC—Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka—earned automatic qualification to the tournament.

The venue of the event was decided at an ACC meeting on July 24. All 25 member nations attended the meeting.

BCCI is the host of the tournament but it is being held in the UAE as India and Pakistan have mutually agreed to compete only at neutral venues till 2027 due to prevailing cross-border tension between them.

As per ACC's deal with the broadcasters, India and Pakistan will be clubbed in same group and also get another shot at each other in the Super Six stage with a possibility of a third meeting if both teams reach the final.

This edition of Asia Cup will be held in T20 format as is the convention with the next ICC global meet being T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

(with inputs from agencies)

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