When Will the India-Pakistan Group Stage Clash Happen in the 2025 Men’s Asia Cup?

Dubai, July 26 (NationPress) India and Pakistan are poised to clash in a highly anticipated matchup during the 2025 Men’s Asia Cup group stage on September 14. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) unveiled the complete fixture list on Saturday, detailing that India will also face UAE on September 10 and Oman on September 19.

This exciting tournament is scheduled from September 9-28, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi expected to host the matches. The teams participating in Group A include India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman, while Group B features Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.

Following the much-anticipated encounter on September 14, both teams could potentially meet again in the Super Fours and possibly in the final, slated for September 28. Although it is believed that India will play all its matches at the Dubai International Stadium, the ACC's schedule does not explicitly confirm this.

ACC President Mohsin Naqvi remarked in an official statement, "Hosting the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE enables fans from all over Asia to unite in a space that reflects the remarkable diversity of our region. The unforgettable matches will serve as a powerful reminder of cricket’s ability to foster connections."

This edition of the Asia Cup is notable for being conducted in the T20I format, aimed at preparing teams for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, and will feature eight participating teams. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Fours, culminating in a title match.

Although India is the official host of the Asia Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will hold the tournament in the UAE due to an agreement with Pakistan to play at neutral venues in 2027, amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.

The tournament faced uncertainty earlier in May due to cross-border tensions, but an ACC meeting on July 24 resolved the situation, allowing the tournament to proceed. India enters the tournament as the reigning champions, having defeated Sri Lanka in the 2023 final held in the 50-over format in Colombo.

Similarly, Sri Lanka took the T20I version of the Asia Cup in 2022 by defeating Pakistan in the final. Naqvi emphasized, "The ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup stands as the centerpiece event of Asian cricket, and we are thrilled to present an expanded platform this year. This marks yet another milestone in the journey of ACC and a significant advancement for cricket in Asia."

He concluded, "With additional teams participating, we are witnessing the expansion of the game both in terms of geography and competition. This will be the finest Asia Cup yet."