India and Pakistan are likely to be drawn into the same group for the Asia Cup 2025, sources have revealed. All hurdles have now been cleared for the much-anticipated continental T20 tournament, which had been in limbo following the terror attack in Pahalgam. The Asia Cup was discussed during Thursday’s Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Annual General Meeting (AGM), held in Dhaka, which Indian cricket board officials attended virtually.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has expressed its willingness to host the tournament at a neutral venue, identifying Dubai and Abu Dhabi as the likely locations. Although an agreement has been signed with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) for the use of three venues, only two are expected to be utilised for the Asia Cup.
The BCCI has the hosting rights for the eight-team Asia Cup. Sources had told this publication in May that India won't participate in or host the Asia Cup in the aftermath of the terrorist attack that killed tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.
BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla and Asian Cricket Council President and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi are scheduled to meet in the coming days to finalise the venues and the tournament schedule, sources told .
A tentative window from September 7 to the third or fourth week of the month has been proposed for the tournament, which will act as a preparatory event for the T20 World Cup, set to be held in February next year.
Shukla and Naqvi will also engage with sponsors at the earliest opportunity, aiming to allow sufficient time for commercial planning.
A large chunk of the tournament’s financial backing comes from Indian sponsors and broadcasters. Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) acquired the media rights to Asia Cup events in 2024 for a reported USD 170 million over eight years. The Asia Cup was given a 19-day window in September this year, where at least two Indo-Pak matches were to take place, apart from the possibility of a final clash between the rivals, which would have assured the broadcasters of high advertising revenue.
Last week, the BCCI had informed the ACC that it would not attend the meeting if it was held in Dhaka, citing the ongoing bilateral strain between India and Bangladesh. However, on Wednesday, the ACC was notified that Rajeev Shukla would participate in the meeting virtually.
Notably, a bilateral series between India and Bangladesh, scheduled for August 2025, was postponed indefinitely due to the strain in relations.
