Pakistan will host a tri-nation T20I series featuring Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in August 2025, just weeks before the Asia Cup, in a move designed to enhance competitive match practice in similar playing conditions. Originally scheduled as a bilateral series against Afghanistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) restructured the plan to better prepare for the upcoming white-ball season.
Tri-series replaces bilateral series with Afghanistan
The PCB had initially arranged a bilateral T20I series against Afghanistan to be held on home soil. However, with strategic white-ball preparation in mind, the board proposed relocating the series to the UAE and including a third team. The new format aims to simulate the dynamics of a multi-team event, offering more variety and higher intensity for all participating teams.
“In a significant move to prepare the team for the 2025 Asia Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has successfully transformed a planned bilateral T20I series against Afghanistan into a tri-nation series involving the United Arab Emirates as well,” sources told Cricket Pakistan.
UAE confirmed as host to mirror Asia Cup conditions
The tri-series will likely take place in mid-to-late August in the UAE, aligning perfectly with preparations for the Asia Cup, which is also expected to be hosted in the Emirates. By playing the tri-series in the UAE, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and UAE will get valuable exposure to the playing conditions they will face in September.
Afghanistan Cricket Board spokesperson Sayed Naseem Sadat confirmed the original three-match plan against Pakistan and noted the national team’s packed calendar, which includes fixtures against Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, and UAE across T20 and ODI formats.
PCB prioritizes T20I exposure before major tournaments
This move is part of a larger PCB strategy to increase T20I exposure for Pakistan’s national team ahead of two significant events: the 2025 Asia Cup and the 2026 T20 World Cup. The PCB is reportedly willing to compromise on ODI fixtures to boost short-format match experience.
ACC meeting clears way for official announcement
The formal announcement is expected shortly after the Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) Annual General Meeting concludes in Dhaka. The session saw representation from 24 of 25 member nations, far surpassing the required quorum. The event is being hailed as a diplomatic success for ACC President and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
This marks a diplomatic win for ACC President Mohsin Naqvi, especially after initial objections from the BCCI, Sri Lanka Cricket, and Oman Cricket regarding the venue.
Despite early reservations, the BCCI is now participating in the meeting virtually, with Vice President Rajeev Shukla expected to join online—signaling a notable shift in stance.
Schedule details expected soon
With all three cricket boards—Pakistan, Afghanistan, and UAE—aligned in principle, only final approvals remain. Venues, dates, and match timings are expected to be announced once the ACC meeting wraps up. The tri-nation series is being positioned as the perfect build-up to the high-stakes 2025 Asia Cup, giving Pakistan an opportunity to sharpen its T20 skills on familiar ground.
