Asia Cup

All You Need to Know about Asia Cup 2025

Online Desk

8 Sep 25 16:51:16

Asia Cup

The Asia Cup is back, kicking off on September 9, 2025, in the UAE, marking its return in the T20 format after three years. Defending champions India, who clinched the 50-over title in 2023, will try to extend their dominance, while Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh chase a much-needed redemption. All matches start at 6:30 pm local time (8:30 pm Bangladesh time).

Tournament Details: Dates, Venues, and Format

Duration: September 9–28

Bulbul gives Tigers advice before their Asia Cup campaign

28 mins ago

Opening Match: Afghanistan vs Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi

Final: Dubai International Stadium, September 28

Venues: Abu Dhabi and Dubai (Sharjah not included)

Format:

Group Stage → Super Four → Final

Group A: India, Pakistan, Oman, UAE

Group B: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong

T20 Format Returns

Since 2016, the Asia Cup has alternated between ODIs and T20Is to align with upcoming ICC tournaments.

2023: ODI (before the 50-over World Cup)

2025: T20I (ahead of the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, Feb 2026)

Sri Lanka announce 16-member squad for Asia Cup

28 Aug 25

Why in UAE?

Although the BCCI is the official host, the competition was shifted to a neutral venue due to India-Pakistan’s agreement to avoid bilateral clashes before the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The UAE, with its modern infrastructure and hosting experience, became the practical solution.

Key Players to Watch:

Taskin Ahmed (Bangladesh): Key pacer with strong T20 numbers – strike rate 17.5, average 22; enters in good form after series vs Pakistan and Netherlands.

Abhishek Sharma (India): Young top-order batter; highest T20 strike rate (193) with 2 centuries and 2 fifties; breakthrough in India’s competitive lineup.

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan): World-class T20 all-rounder and captain; nearly a decade of experience; consistent tournament standout.

Hasan Nawaz (Pakistan): Power-hitter solving Pakistan’s strike rate issue; SR 174 with a century and 2 fifties in 16 T20s.

Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka): In-form opener; 30+ runs in 8 of last 10 innings, including 3 fifties; crucial to Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup hopes.

Title Holders:

The Asia Cup, founded by the Asian Cricket Council in 1983, debuted in 1984 in the UAE, with India crowned as the first champions in a three-nation ODI contest.

India: 8 titles (most successful)

Sri Lanka: 6 titles

Pakistan: 2 titles

Bangladesh & Afghanistan: yet to win

Interruptions have been frequent due to politics (e.g., 1990 boycott, 1993 cancellation) and Covid-19 (2020), but since 2008, the event has mostly kept its biennial rhythm.