The stage is set for a high-voltage clash as India and Pakistan are expected to be grouped in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. This development has sparked excitement among fans across the continent. After weeks of uncertainty following the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, the tournament has finally received the green light, with all formalities reportedly ironed out during the Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) Annual General Meeting held in Dhaka.

Indian board officials, who were unable to attend in person due to geopolitical concerns, participated in the meeting virtually. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which holds the hosting rights for the eight-nation T20 event, has opted for a neutral venue given the prevailing tensions and recent security concerns.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi have emerged as the frontrunners, with the BCCI securing agreements with the Emirates Cricket Board to utilise three venues, though only two are expected to be operational during the tournament.

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Sources close to the matter confirmed that BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla and ACC President Mohsin Naqvi—who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board—are slated to meet soon to finalise venues and fine-tune the tournament schedule. A tentative window from September 7 until the third or fourth week of the month has been proposed, positioning the Asia Cup as a crucial build-up event to the T20 World Cup scheduled for February 2026.

⚡ Asia Cup likely to take place with BCCI left to make the announcement
⚡ The eight-team tournament will likely be held from September 10-28 with Dubai and Abu Dhabi to host the matches

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— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) July 24, 2025

Commercially, the tournament is a juggernaut. Indian broadcasters and sponsors remain the backbone of the Asia Cup’s revenue model. Sony Pictures Networks India, which secured broadcasting rights for USD 170 million through 2032, is especially banking on multiple India-Pakistan encounters to drive advertising revenue. A minimum of two face-offs between the arch-rivals is expected, with the tantalising possibility of a final showdown adding further allure.

Interestingly, the BCCI had earlier declined to attend the ACC meeting in Dhaka due to recent diplomatic tensions with Bangladesh. However, a last-minute change saw Rajeev Shukla participate virtually on Wednesday, ensuring India’s active role in the planning process.

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Amidst all this, the bilateral series between India and Bangladesh, originally slated for August 2025, has been postponed indefinitely, underlining the fragile nature of cricket diplomacy in the subcontinent. Still, with the Asia Cup back on track, fans can look forward to a spectacle that promises both fierce competition and high drama.