Asia Cup 2025: ACC Aims for September 10 Start Date Amid Easing India-Pakistan Tensions

The Asia Cup saga may be nearing a resolution. While definitive conclusions about the continental championship are still premature, a growing sense of optimism surrounds the tournament, contrasting with previous uncertainty stemming from tensions between India and Pakistan.

While nothing is set in stone, indications suggest a formal decision could be reached next week. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is reportedly aiming to release the schedule for the six-team tournament during the first week of July, coinciding with a planned meeting.

India were champions of the previous edition of the Asia Cup in 2023 © Getty

If everything proceeds as planned, the ACC is targeting a September start, specifically the second week. The T20 format tournament is tentatively scheduled to commence on September 10. Participating teams, besides India and Pakistan, will likely include Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the UAE. Promotional activities for the tournament have already commenced.

The UAE remains the leading candidate to host the tournament, although discussions about a hybrid format are also underway. While India is the designated host, the ACC previously decided that when India or Pakistan are scheduled to host the Asia Cup, the tournament would be held at a neutral venue, given the existing circumstances.

The tournament's future was clouded by the terror attack in Pahalgam in April. The situation worsened after India launched Operation Sindoor against Pakistan in May, casting doubts on the tournament. Calls for an India boycott of Pakistan in multilateral events also grew. India does not currently engage with Pakistan in bilateral cricket. Discussions about India's potential boycott of Pakistan in global events were even rumored for the next ICC meeting.

However, recent developments in world cricket suggest a shift. The International Cricket Council (ICC) released schedules for two global events – the Women's ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, and the Women's T20 World Cup in England. India and Pakistan are scheduled to face each other in both tournaments: October 5 in Colombo and June 14 at Edgbaston.

While officials from the BCCI, ACC, and ICC have remained publicly silent, it appears cricketing ties between the rivals will continue, at least in global events. These matches are significant revenue generators for global cricket, not just Indian cricket. While India and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) aren't necessarily dependent on revenue from these high-profile matches, governing bodies like the ICC and ACC, along with their member boards, are.