Despite India being the designated host, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which is chaired by Mohsin Naqvi of Pakistan, has reportedly decided to hold the 2025 men's Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Given the tensions between India and Pakistan, the two largest participating countries, there are still questions about whether the competition will take place at all. However, officials are hopeful that a different location will assist.

A final decision is anticipated during the ICC's Annual General Meeting in Singapore next month, according to Forbes. However, it appears that the UAE will host the event if it goes further. Sri Lanka, the host of the most recent tournament in 2023, which was also in fierce rivalry, has lost to it.

Prior to the 2025 Champions Trophy, India and Pakistan had already agreed that all of their multi-national tournament matches would take place in neutral locations going forward.

The Pahalgam terrorist incident, which killed 26 innocent people in Kashmir and prompted India to retaliate, putting it on the verge of war with Pakistan, cast further uncertainty on the Asia Cup.

The tournament won't proceed, according to a number of sources in India, although stakeholders are cautiously optimistic.

“Things have been quiet amid the tension, and there is much to play out, but there is still time," Forbes cited an official close to discussions as saying.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had also denied rumors of India’s ‘opting out’ of the tournament.

“Such news is devoid of any truth as till now, BCCI has not even discussed or taken any such steps regarding the ensuing ACC events, let alone writing anything to the ACC (Asian Cricket Council). At this stage, our prime focus is on the ongoing IPL and subsequent England series, both men and women," Saikia had said, as quoted by Sportstar.

Several such emergencies, such as the India matches in the Champions Trophy and several IPL editions, have used the UAE as a backup neutral location. In anticipation of the T20 World Cup the following year, the Cup, if it proceeds, will be contested in the T20 format.