The countdown is on, but the tournament is still up in the air. With just weeks to go before the scheduled start of the Asia Cup 2025, uncertainty continues to loom large over the tournament’s fate. Now, the spotlight shifts to the ICC Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Colombo, where senior officials from the BCCI and PCB are expected to meet informally on the sidelines between July 17 and 20 to address the issue.
While the Asia Cup is an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) matter, it has become clear that this year’s edition cannot move forward without some form of resolution between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Asia Cup 2025: IND Gov agrees but doubts remain
Until recently, the BCCI had not confirmed India’s participation, citing the need for clearance from the Indian government to face Pakistan in a multilateral tournament. That approval has now come through, with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announcing in Parliament that India will continue to play Pakistan in international tournaments, though bilateral ties remain off the table.
“Our stand is clear. We don’t have any problems playing with Pakistan in any international sporting event, be it cricket, hockey, or any other sport. But when it comes to bilateral engagements, the government position is known to all,” Mandaviya said.
The green light has brought a sigh of relief to ACC organisers, who were facing logistical nightmares and financial pressure. The Asia Cup, the ACC’s biggest cash cow, depends heavily on high-profile clashes, particularly the India vs Pakistan fixture. Reports suggest that the BCCI’s absence from the upcoming ACC AGM in Dhaka (July 24) was previously under consideration, but with government clearance in hand, BCCI officials are now expected to participate more actively in the planning process.
Now, according to Forbes, the matter will be first discussed at the ICC AGM. Currently, as part of the agreed deal between BCCI and PCB, neither country will play a multi-nation tournament in the other’s country. India played all their games at the ODI Champions Trophy earlier this year in the UAE. Meanwhile, the Pakistan women’s cricket team will play all their fixtures in Sri Lanka when the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup arrives in India.
UAE all but likely to host ‘T20’ Asia Cup
As per the tentative schedule, the Asia Cup 2025 is expected to be held from September 5 to 21, with the UAE emerging as the likely host. Six teams—India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the UAE—are expected to feature. The tournament will follow a group stage and Super Fours format, with India and Pakistan likely to face off at least twice, first on September 7 and potentially again on September 14.
Though the fixtures are reportedly close to finalisation, the schedule has yet to be officially ratified. That decision is now likely to be influenced by behind-the-scenes conversations at the ICC AGM. According to Forbes, while the Asia Cup is not a formal item on the ICC agenda, its future will certainly be a hot topic during informal talks between administrators, including BCCI and PCB officials. The Asia Cup remains the only non-ICC platform where India and Pakistan can share the field.
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