Introduction
The 17th Asia Cup, organized by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), returns in September 2025 with high stakes and packed cricket action. Originally intended to be hosted in India, the tournament has now been confirmed to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), offering a neutral venue for all participating nations. Asia Cup 2025 Shedule+10Wikipedia+10The Times of India+10.
Dates & Host Location
- Tournament Period: September 9 to 28, 2025 Cricket FTP+3Wikipedia+3Sportskeeda+3
- Venue: Matches will be held across Dubai and Abu Dhabi stadiums in the UAE SportskeedaThe Times of IndiaThe Times of India.
This neutral-venue format stems from ongoing geopolitical sensitivities, especially between India and Pakistan Moneycontrol+1The Times of India+1.
Format & Structure
- Format: Twenty20 International (T20I)—ideal preparation ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India–Sri Lanka The Times of India+6Wikipedia+6Cricket FTP+6.
- Structure:
- Two groups of four teams
- Super Four stage where the top two from each group compete
- Final on September 28, 2025 The Times of India+15Wikipedia+15Asia Cup+15
Participating Teams & Groups
Eight teams are confirmed:
- Full members: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan
- Qualifiers: United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Hong Kong (via ACC Premier Cup 2024) The Times of India+14Wikipedia+14The Times of India+14
Group A: India, Pakistan, UAE, Oman
Group B: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Hong Kong SportskeedaMoneycontrolWikipedia
Fixture Highlights & India‑Pakistan Clash
- India’s group matches begin against UAE on September 10, followed by the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in Dubai on September 14 The Times of India+2Moneycontrol+2CricTrends+2.
- If both teams progress, they could potentially meet again during Super Four (September 21) or even in the final (September 28) Moneycontrol+1Sportskeeda+1.
Historical Context & Favorites
- Defending Champions: India won the 2023 Asia Cup—India holds a record of eight titles, followed by Sri Lanka with six and Pakistan with two Asia Cup+2Jagranjosh.com+2CricTrends+2.
- Watch for emerging talents from the UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong aiming to make an impact in Asia’s biggest T20 event.
🔍 Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | Sept 9 – 28, 2025 |
| Venue | UAE (Dubai & Abu Dhabi) |
| Format | T20I format, group → Super Four → Final |
| Total Teams | 8 |
| Group A | India, Pakistan, UAE, Oman |
| Group B | Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Hong Kong |
| Key Match | India vs Pakistan – Sept 14 (group), possible repeats Sept 21 & Sept 28 |
| Defending Champion | India (8 titles) |
This edition of the Asia Cup
is set to ignite longstanding rivalries, elevate emerging nations, and offer high‑volt cricket drama—delivered in a compact, SEO‑rich format designed for both fans and search engines. Bookmark this guide for all the latest updates as Asia’s premier T20 event draws near.
FAQ at a Glance
Q: When and where is the Asia Cup 2025?
A: September 9–28, 2025, hosted in the UAE across Dubai and Abu Dhabi WikipediaSportskeedaThe Times of India.
Q: Who is the defending champion, and who are the favorites?
A: India enters as defending champions with eight titles; Sri Lanka and Pakistan are also strong contenders CricTrendsJagranjosh.com.
Q: Will India and Pakistan play each other?
A: Yes—first on September 14 in group stage, and possibly again in Super Four (Sept 21) or the final (Sept 28). MoneycontrolSportskeedaThe Times of India.
Q: How many matches and teams are involved?
A: A total of 19 matches, with 8 teams divided into two groups leading to a Super Four stage and a final WikipediaSportskeedaMoneycontrol.
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