Asia Cup 2025: ACC Reportedly Targets September Start Amid Rising Hopes, Aims for Schedule Release Next Month

The Asia Cup saga might be nearing a resolution. While definitive conclusions remain premature, a palpable sense of optimism now surrounds the continental championship, contrasting sharply with previous uncertainties fueled by tensions between India and Pakistan.

While concrete details are pending, a formal decision could materialize next week. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is also aiming to release the schedule for the six-team tournament during the first week of July, coinciding with a planned convention.

If everything proceeds smoothly, the ACC is reportedly targeting a September start, specifically the second week. The T20 format tournament is projected to commence around September 10, featuring India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the UAE. Promotional activities for the event have already commenced.

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

The UAE remains the leading contender to host the tournament. A hybrid format is also under consideration. Although India is the designated host, the ACC had previously stipulated that Asia Cup tournaments hosted by either India or Pakistan would be held at a neutral venue.

The tournament's future was clouded by the terror attack in Pahalgam in April. Tensions further escalated after India launched Operation Sindoor against Pakistan in May, raising serious doubts about the event. Calls for an Indian boycott of Pakistan in multilateral events also grew. Currently, India does not engage in bilateral cricket with Pakistan. Discussions regarding a potential Indian boycott of Pakistan in global events were even suggested for the next ICC meeting.

However, recent developments in international cricket suggest a shift in direction. The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently unveiled schedules for two major 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 compete against each other in both tournaments – on October 5 in Colombo and on June 14 at Edgbaston.

While officials from the BCCI, ACC, and ICC have refrained from public statements on the matter, cricketing ties between the two rivals appear set to continue, at least in global events. These matches are significant revenue generators for global cricket. It's crucial to remember that while these matches don't have a significant impact to Indian cricket, governing bodies like the ICC and ACC rely heavily on the revenue generated from these high-profile encounters.