India and Pakistan are set for a high-voltage showdown in Dubai next month as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Saturday confirmed the venues for the Men’s Asia Cup 2025.
The group-stage encounter between the arch-rivals will be played at the Dubai International Stadium on September 14, amid heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Calls for a boycott continue to echo across sections of the Indian public and political class.
Nonetheless, the ACC has pressed ahead with the original schedule. The T20-format tournament will be held across Abu Dhabi and Dubai from September 9 to 28, designed to prepare teams for the ICC T20 World Cup next year.
India open their campaign against the United Arab Emirates on 10 September at the same venue. The final is slated for 28 September in Dubai.
Should both India and Pakistan progress to the Super Fours, they could potentially face off again in the second round. A third meeting is also possible if both sides reach the final.
Also read: India-Pak clash in Asia cup sparks political row post attack
The full tournament schedule was released last year, but the precise venues had not been finalised until now. India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman comprise Group A, while Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong form Group B.
The ACC confirmed that Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium will host all Group B matches, while Dubai’s International Stadium will feature all of India’s group matches and the tournament’s finale.
Despite strong political undercurrents and public disquiet, the BCCI has remained tight-lipped about calls for withdrawal. Government officials have not yet issued a directive, leaving team participation intact.
Follow us
