India vs Pakistan three more times in 2025 as Asia Cup lined up for September; ACC to avoid Champions Trophy fiasco

Pakistan are set to get a chance to avenge their Champions Trophy 2025 loss to India in Dubai, a defeat that sent them crashing out of the home tournament, as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is set to schedule the 2025 Asia Cup in September. Keeping the approaching T20 World Cup in mind, which is slated for 2026, the Asia Cup will be played in the T20 format. Asia Cup 2025 could be held in Sri Lanka or the UAE(AFP)

According to a report in Cricbuzz, fans worldwide could witness as many as three India-Pakistan matches later this year. The Asia Cup is expected to run between the second and fourth week of September.

The 17th edition of the continental tournament, featuring 19 matches, was initially set to be hosted in India. However, amid the relationship between India and Pakistan, ACC is likely to pick a neutral venue. The report added that while the venue is yet to be decided, the officials are contemplating between Sri Lanka and the UAE. The BCCI however will remain the host.

ACC to avoid Champions Trophy fiasco

A key decision made by the ACC, revealed in a document in possession of Cricbuzz, was that the board is likely to avoid the entire fiasco that the Champions Trophy incurred in the months leading up to the tournament about India and Pakistan.

With BCCI not getting clearance from the Indian government, the Rohit Sharma-led side could not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. Hence, after months of back-and-forth discussion, Dubai was picked as the venue for all of India's matches. To avoid a similar controversy right from the start, ACC has been keen on deciding on a neutral venue to stage all 19 games of the Asia Cup.

The tournament will comprise eight teams - Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman, Hong Kong, India, and Pakistan. Nepal will be a notable absentee, having participated in the 2023 edition of the tournament, as they failed to make the cut this time. The eight teams will be divided into two groups, where the top two teams will progress to the Super Four, before two teams make the final. India are the reigning champions, having beaten Sri Lanka in the final of the 2023 edition.

Click here to read article