Asia Cup 2025 start date revealed as India, Pakistan set to clash after resolved tensions

There was uncertainty about the Asia Cup 2025 due to political tensions between India and Pakistan, especially following the terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. However, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is now expected to unveil the official schedule in the first week of July, according to a report in Cricbuzz.

Several urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to cut cricketing ties with Pakistan, including skipping matches against them in ACC and ICC tournaments. Team India men’s head coach Gautam Gambhir was among those who called for a cut in all cricket engagements with Pakistan.

Asia Cup 2025 Likely to Begin in September with India and Pakistan Set to Participate

According to Cricbuzz, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is optimistic about staging the event in September, and a formal decision could be made within a week. The ACC is planning to start the T20-format competition in the second week of September.

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"If all goes according to plan, the ACC is believed to be targeting a start in the second week of September. More specifically, the tournament - to be played in the T20 format - is likely to begin on September 10," the report read.

The Asia Cup 2025 is set to be played in the T20 format, with organizers aiming to begin the tournament on September 10. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the UAE will participate in the event.

UAE Emerges as Frontrunner to Host Asia Cup 2025 Despite India Being Host

The UAE has emerged as the frontrunner to host the tournament. India is the designated host, but due to political tensions with Pakistan, staging the event in India appears unfeasible. The ACC is also considering the possibility of organizing the tournament using a hybrid model.

"The UAE continues to remain the frontrunner to host the tournament, although there is also some discussion around staging it in a hybrid format. While India is the designated host this time, the ACC had earlier decided that when it is India or Pakistan's turn to host the Asia Cup, the tournament would be held in a neutral venue - for understandable reasons," the report on Asia Cup 2025 added.

ICC Confirms India-Pakistan Clashes in Women’s ODI and T20 World Cups

The ICC has released schedules for two women’s events, the Women’s ODI World Cup, to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, and the Women’s T20 World Cup in England. Notably, India and Pakistan are set to clash in both tournaments on October 5 in Colombo and on June 14 at Edgbaston.

Officials from the BCCI, ACC, and ICC have remained silent on the issue. These high-profile matches are financially important for the ICC, ACC, and other member boards.

The prospect of canceling these games would likely result in a substantial economic blow for the sport’s global administrators, which appears to be a key reason for maintaining the rivalry on the international stage.

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