All matches of the continental tournament will be held in UAE.
The confusion around the staging of Asia Cup 2025 could be coming to an end soon as all the participating nations, including hosts India, are likely to get clearances from their respective governments, TOI reported on Wednesday (July 2).
According to the report, all matches of the continental tournament will be held in UAE and the competition will get underway on September 5.
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and UAE will be the six nations participating in the marquee event which will be played in the group stage and Super Fours format.
This would mean that the high-voltage India versus Pakistan clash will be played at least twice in the tournament. As per the initial schedule, the arch-rivals are set to square off on September 7 while their second face-off could take place on September 14.
The Asia Cup will be played in the T20I format this time around, and the title clash will played on 21 September.
The report further claimed that the promotional activities for the Asia Cup have already begun with official broadcasters Sony recently sharing a poster for the multi-nation tournament.
Notably, there were doubts over the tournament especially after the recent escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. If Asia Cup goes ahead as planned, it would send a message for all future international tournaments as well.
Earlier this year, several reports suggested that India may pull out of Asia Cup due to the cross-border tensions but BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had dismissed those claims in a statement in May.
"Since this morning, it has come to our notice about some news items about BCCI's decision not to participate in the Asia Cup and Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup, both ACC events. Such news is devoid of any truth as till now, the BCCI has not even discussed or taken any such steps regarding the ensuing ACC events, leave alone writing anything to the ACC," Saikia had told the media.
(With TOI Inputs)