Cricket fans across Asia can start the countdown: Pakistan and India are slated to meet on September 14 in Dubai in what promises to be a fiery group-stage clash at the 2025 T20 Asia Cup. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) confirmed the schedule and venues for the tournament over the weekend, revealing a packed cricket calendar in the UAE from September 9 to 28.
Two Cities, One Tournament
The competition will unfold across two venues: Dubai International Cricket Stadium and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium. Of the two, Dubai will handle the lion’s share of the action — including the highly anticipated India-Pakistan encounter and the tournament final.
Abu Dhabi will host eight matches, with one Super Four fixture locked in for September 23.
ACC President Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board, emphasized that the UAE was a natural choice for the tournament. With its cricket-ready infrastructure and history of hosting high-profile games, the Emirates is expected to deliver both on and off the pitch.
More Than Bragging Rights
The Asia Cup isn’t just about regional supremacy this year — it also serves as a key warm-up event for the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February. That adds an extra layer of intensity to every game, particularly for teams like Pakistan and India looking to fine-tune combinations and strategies.
Tournament Format: Who’s Playing Whom?
Eight nations will battle it out, split into two groups. Group A includes India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman. Group B features Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong.
The tournament opens with Afghanistan taking on Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi on September 9. Pakistan’s first outing comes on September 12, when they face Oman. Their group campaign concludes on September 17 against hosts UAE.
If results go as expected, cricket’s greatest rivalry could reignite in the Super Four stage, with a potential second India-Pakistan clash on the cards for September 21.
Road to the Final
Once the group stage wraps up, the top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Four round. From there, the top two sides will face off in the final — also in Dubai — on September 28.
Given the stakes, format, and context, this year’s Asia Cup offers more than just continental bragging rights. It’s a pressure cooker for teams to test mettle, shape World Cup squads, and deliver some unforgettable cricketing moments.
