Even as emotions continue to run high following the Pahalgam terror attack in April in India, cricket’s fiercest rivalry is set to go ahead as planned. The highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025, scheduled for September 14 in the UAE, has faced massive criticism on social media. However, senior officials have confirmed that the fixture will not be cancelled.
According to top sources cited by NDTV, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is standing firm. “This is not a bilateral contest but part of a multi-nation tournament. If India forfeits, it effectively hands Pakistan a walkover, which is not desirable,” an insider said. The confirmation comes despite public outrage and mounting calls to boycott the game in the wake of recent cross-border tensions.
More reasons why India vs Pakistan Asia Cup match can’t be cancelled
The Asia Cup, unlike ICC events, is run by the ACC, currently headed by Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi. Sony Network secured the tournament’s broadcast rights, valued at USD 170 million over eight years. It is unsurprising that the India-Pakistan clash remains the centrepiece of this deal, and majority of viewership are bound to come from this game only.
Any cancellation would affect the broadcaster and impact the revenue of all 24 ACC members, many of whom are developing cricket nations dependent on these funds. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) remains autonomous and outside the sports ministry’s purview until the National Sports Governance Bill is passed, officials admit they will “wait and watch” how public sentiment influences the situation.
Last week’s cancellation of an India-Pakistan legends match in England, which occurred due to online backlash, has given a reason for some fans to call out the Asia Cup 2025 as well. That development had led to speculation that the Asia Cup game might meet the same fate. However, sources clarified that government approval for India’s participation was granted well in advance, with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya already stating that India would continue to play Pakistan in multilateral events.
Asia Cup 2025: Full schedule
The Asia Cup 2025 will run from September 9-28 in the UAE in a T20 format, despite India being the official hosts of the tournament. India and Pakistan are grouped together with UAE and Oman in Group A. With both teams likely to progress, they could face off again in the Super Four and even in the final, setting up a potential hat-trick of encounters in just three weeks.
| Date | Day | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Sept 9 | Tuesday | Afghanistan vs Hong Kong |
| Sept 10 | Wednesday | India vs UAE |
| Sept 11 | Thursday | Bangladesh vs Hong Kong |
| Sept 12 | Friday | Pakistan vs Oman |
| Sept 13 | Saturday | Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka |
| Sept 14 | Sunday | India vs Pakistan |
| Sept 15 | Monday | Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong |
| Sept 16 | Tuesday | Bangladesh vs Afghanistan |
| Sept 17 | Wednesday | Pakistan vs UAE |
| Sept 18 | Thursday | Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan |
| Sept 19 | Friday | India vs Oman |
| Sept 20 | Saturday | Group B Q1 vs Group B Q2 |
| Sept 21 | Sunday | Group A Q1 vs Group A Q2 |
| Sept 22 | Monday | Rest Day |
| Sept 23 | Tuesday | Group A Q2 vs Group B Q1 |
| Sept 24 | Wednesday | Group A Q1 vs Group B Q2 |
| Sept 25 | Thursday | Group A Q2 vs Group B Q2 |
| Sept 26 | Friday | Group A Q1 vs Group B Q1 |
| Sept 28 | Sunday | Final |
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