The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to host the 2025 edition of the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates this September, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi expected to serve as venues. The tournament, which will feature eight teams, is also poised to deliver one of cricket’s most anticipated spectacles — a potential India vs Pakistan face-off.
According to multiple reports, although the BCCI holds official hosting rights, the matches will take place in the UAE to maintain a neutral venue — a longstanding policy when either India or Pakistan is designated host.
“The BCCI has signed a deal with the Emirates Cricket Board for three venues, but only two will be used for the Asia Cup,” a source told Times of India.
UAE to stage tournament amid tight September window
The tournament is expected to run for a little over two weeks, wrapping up before the final week of September due to India’s Test series against the West Indies. Dubai is likely to host all of India’s matches, while Abu Dhabi is being considered as the second venue.
“The BCCI will host the Asia Cup in the UAE. India is likely to play all its matches in Dubai. There are still deliberations on scheduling,” an ACC source told PTI on condition of anonymity.
BCCI to host Asia Cup in the UAE in September, tournament likely to feature India-Pakistan match: Asian Cricket Council source
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 24, 2025
The Asia Cup will also serve as a crucial lead-up to the ICC T20 World Cup scheduled for February 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.
India, Pakistan expected in same group for first clash since tensions
India and Pakistan are likely to be drawn into the same group, setting up their first on-field meeting since bilateral tensions spiked in April following the Pahalgam attack and India’s subsequent ‘Operation Sindoor.’
“The BCCI is in touch with the Indian government for permission to play Pakistan in the Asia Cup,” the same source told Times of India.
ACC meets in Dhaka; BCCI expected to announce schedule soon
The tournament was formally approved during the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Annual General Meeting in Dhaka, with all 25 member boards attending either physically or virtually. Final details regarding the schedule and venues are expected to be finalized shortly.
“It has been decided that the Asia Cup will be held. Shukla and Asian Cricket Council president and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi are scheduled to meet in the coming days to finalise the venues and the tournament schedule. Being the designated hosts, the BCCI is likely to announce the schedule of the tournament in the next few days,” a reliable source told Times of India.
“The meeting was attended by all 25 members. The BCCI will inform us about the Asia Cup in a few days,” Naqvi told reporters after the ACC meeting in Dhaka.
“We will announce it shortly. We have had discussions with the BCCI and there are a few issues that we will resolve shortly. All 25 members attended the meet either physically or virtually. We are all on same page,” ACC chairman and PCB head Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Dhaka.
“Our vice-president Rajeev Shukla ji attended the ACC meeting. He will brief the members. I don’t believe in speculations so you will get to know officially in a few days time,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told PTI.
Commercial planning and budget approved
With scheduling nearly finalized, BCCI and ACC officials are expected to engage with sponsors soon to ensure sufficient time for commercial and broadcast planning.
“The budget of the Asia Cup, as well as six other ACC tournaments this year, was passed in the AGM today. The election was deferred, while the AGM was adjourned. It will be continued at a later date,” a source told Times of India.
As anticipation builds around the tournament — particularly the prospect of an India vs Pakistan clash under the Dubai lights — all eyes now turn to the BCCI’s formal announcement in the coming days.
