Asia cup 2025: The 17th edition of the Asia Cup starts from 9 September, and it will run until 28 September. The tournament will be played in T20 format and all matches will be held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The first match on the double header will be played at 5:30 pm Indian time, while all the other matches will be held from 8:00 pm Indian time.
Why is the Asia Cup happening in UAE?
The BCCI had to host this tournament earlier, but had to change the venue due to poor political relations between India and Pakistan and disagreements between the cricket teams of the two countries. Therefore, now this tournament is being held in UAE, but BCCI will remain its official host. All matches will be held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
What is the history of Asia Cup?
The first Asia Cup was played in 1984 between India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This tournament is being held every year since 2008. India is the current champion of the time, defeating Sri Lanka in the 2023 final to win its 8th title. Sri Lanka has won the title 6 times, while Pakistan has become the winner of this tournament only twice. This time the Asia Cup will be played in the T20 format, which is happening only for the third time.
Which teams will be involved in the tournament?
This time eight teams will participate in the Asia Cup, which is happening for the first time. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan have got admission in the tournament directly. At the same time, Oman, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Hong Kong have made it to the Asia Cup through the ACC Men’s Premier Cup. This Premier Cup is played between Associate countries of Asia.
What is the format this time?
This time eight teams in the Asia Cup are divided into two groups. Group A stars India, Pakistan, Oman and UAE, while Group B consists of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong. The top two teams of both groups will arrive in ‘Super Four’, from where the two teams at the top will play the final match on September 28. Pakistan’s 31 -year -old fast bowler Salman Mirza took 11 wickets in PSL 2025. At the same time, UAE captain Muhammad Wasim has so far scored 2,922 runs in T20 International and his strike rate is 155.67. Hong Kong’s 34 -year -old Yasim Murtaza will captain his team this time, and he has taken a total of 70 wickets in T20I so far.
Why is this Asia Cup special?
The T20 format can have a reversal anytime, and this has happened before. Teams like Hong Kong and Afghanistan have challenged big teams. In 2022, Sri Lanka won the T20 Asia Cup and proved that there is always something new and shocking in this tournament.
