Asia Cup 2025: India and Pakistan locked in same group as BCCI makes stunning U-turn

India and Pakistan are likely to end up in the same group for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. The much-awaited subcontinental T20 tournament, which had been uncertain after the terror attack in Pahalgam, is now reportedly to be held in the proposed window in September.

The fate of the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 was discussed during the Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) Annual General Meeting in Dhaka on July 24, and it was attended by the BCCI members online. The BCCI, which has the hosting rights for the tournament, has agreed to stage it at a neutral location.

India and Pakistan likely to be in same group as the Asia Cup 2025 gets the green signal

Initially, the BCCI had said that it wouldn’t attend the ACC Annual General Meeting in Dhaka due to diplomatic tensions with Bangladesh. But eventually, the Vice-President, Rajeev Shukla, joined the meeting virtually on Wednesday, July 24, to move forward with the discussion over the event.

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As reported by India Today, the Indian cricket board has picked Dubai and Abu Dhabi as the main options to organize the upcoming subcontinental T20 tournament. However, BCCI signed a deal with the Emirates Cricket Board to use their three stadiums, but only two are likely to be used for the upcoming Asia Cup T20 tournament.

Recently, several media reports claimed that India wouldn’t host or even take part in the tournament after the terror attack in Pahalgam, where several tourists were killed. But the latest reports claimed that things have now changed, and preparations for the tournament are moving forward.

Rajeev Shukla and Mohsin Naqvi to lock Asia Cup 2025 dates and venues soon

Meanwhile, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla and ACC President Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the PCB Chairman, are expected to meet soon to confirm the schedule and venues for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. They will also speak with the sponsors to finalize all commercial plans in advance.

The 2025 Asia Cup T20 is expected to be held between September 7 and the third or fourth week of that month. It will also serve as the perfect warm-up for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled for February next year in India and Sri Lanka.

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Asia Cup's windfall depends on BCCI’s stand on India vs Pakistan matches

On the other hand, most of the funding comes from Indian sponsors and broadcasters for the Asian event. Sony Pictures Networks India had bought the media rights for Asia Cup events for eight years at a reported cost of $170 million.

The 19-day Asia Cup 2025 window this year is expected to feature at least two India vs Pakistan games, and possibly a third if both teams reach the final of the tournament. That would mean a big boost in advertising revenue.

However, it remains to be seen whether BCCI would allow an India-Pakistan clash in the match due to strained relations between the two countries.

Earlier, a planned white-ball series between India and Bangladesh in August 2025 was postponed indefinitely amid growing tensions between the two countries.