ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 In Dubai, Abu Dhabi: India vs Pakistan On September 14

Dubai, August 2, 2025: The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has officially confirmed Dubai and Abu Dhabi as the host cities for the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, set to be held from 9 to 28 September. The tournament, featuring eight teams in a high-octane T20 format, will see 19 international matches unfold across the United Arab Emirates’ world-class venues, with Dubai hosting 11 fixtures and Abu Dhabi the remaining eight. The grand final is scheduled for Dubai, promising a fitting climax to what is billed as a celebration of Asian cricket.

Participating nations include powerhouses India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, alongside UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong China.

The structure follows a group stage leading into a Super Four round, culminating in the final. A standout highlight is the blockbuster clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan on September 14, with possibilities for rematches in the Super Four or even the decider.

This announcement comes against a backdrop of simmering geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, which have long influenced the cricketing encounters between both countries. Recent months have seen escalated border skirmishes and diplomatic strains over issues like Kashmir, fuelling calls in India for boycotting events involving Pakistan.  Since partition in 1947, matches between the two have been laced with national pride, intense passion, and occasional controversy. Iconic moments, such as Javed Miandad’s last-ball six in Sharjah in 1986 or Virat Kohli’s heroics in the 2022 T20 World Cup, have etched themselves into folklore. Yet, off-field dynamics frequently spill over: bilateral series have been absent since 2012-13 due to security concerns and political discord.

The ACC’s statement highlighted the event’s role in fostering continental unity: “The Asia Cup is more than a tournament; it’s a celebration of Asian cricket.”