Former Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed has backed PCB’s decision not to send the national team to India for the Men’s Asia Cup 2025. The continental event, which will be played in the T20 format, is now set to take place in the UAE next month.

The upcoming Asia Cup was originally planned to be hosted by India. However, owing to political tensions between India and Pakistan, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) shifted it to a neutral venue. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is currently heading the Asian governing body.

Speaking to the media at a private event, Sarfaraz praised PCB’s stance. “Pakistan’s stance for the Asia Cup is outstanding. The Asia Cup is happening in the UAE, so Pakistan’s initiative was best,” Sarfaraz was quoted as saying on Geo TV.

The previous Asia Cup in 2023 was played in the ODI format and was originally supposed to be hosted by Pakistan. But after the BCCI declined to send the Indian team to Pakistan, a hybrid model was adopted, with India’s matches being held in Sri Lanka.

Pakistan also travelled to Sri Lanka to play a couple of matches against India, and the final took place in the island nation as well. India lifted the coveted trophy by beating the home team in the title clash in Colombo.

A few months later, Pakistan still travelled across the border for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. However, when India again refused to tour Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year, the PCB decided they would not send their team to India until at least 2027.

India and Pakistan can face each other thrice in the Asia Cup 2025, slated to get underway on September 9. After the group stage fixture on September 14, they can meet once again on September 22 if they qualify together for the Super Four stage while their showdown in the final on September 28 is also a possibility.