Despite rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, the much-anticipated clash between the two cricketing giants is still likely to take place in the Asia Cup 2025, according to a report by Cricbuzz.
The brutal incident in Kashmir has heightened diplomatic friction, sparking calls for a boycott of Pakistani artists in India and concerns over India’s participation in matches against Pakistan at both ACC and ICC tournaments. Initially, speculation suggested that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) might withdraw from fixtures involving Pakistan. However, fresh reports suggest that the tournament will proceed as scheduled.
Asia Cup 2025 Set for September
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is moving ahead with plans to host the six-nation tournament in September, featuring India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and UAE.
“Although a final decision hasn’t been made yet, signs point toward a formal announcement next week. The ACC hopes to unveil the complete schedule in the first week of July,” Cricbuzz reported.
Promotional campaigns are already underway, and while UAE is the frontrunner to host the event, there’s also discussion of conducting the tournament in a hybrid format.
Original Host India Unlikely to Host
India was originally slated to host the Asia Cup 2025. However, diplomatic strains with Pakistan have compelled the ACC to seek alternate venues. UAE has emerged as a strong contender, much like in previous editions where neutral venues were needed.
A teaser video featuring the T20I captains of India (Suryakumar Yadav), Sri Lanka (Charith Asalanka), and Bangladesh (Najmul Hossain Shanto) recently surfaced during the India-England Test coverage, adding to the speculation that preparations are in full swing.
Backup Plans from PCB
In parallel, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which currently heads the ACC under chief Mohsin Naqvi, is reportedly exploring alternate arrangements in case the Asia Cup is scrapped or delayed.
One such proposal involves a tri-series with Afghanistan and UAE, scheduled for August, serving as a contingency in case political tensions derail the Asia Cup.
“With hosting in India now improbable due to diplomatic tensions, the PCB is drafting backup plans, including a potential tri-series in the UAE,” a PCB insider told the media.
Despite the challenges, cricket fans may still witness the high-voltage India-Pakistan showdown, as the ACC works behind the scenes to ensure the Asia Cup 2025 remains on track.