Asia Cup 2025: ACC Eyes September 10 Start Date Amid Easing India-Pakistan Tensions

Asia Cup 2025: ACC Eyes September Start Amid Optimism

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

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

Although nothing is set in stone, a formal decision could materialize next week. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) aims to release the schedule for the six-team tournament in early July, coinciding with its expected convention.

If everything proceeds smoothly, the ACC is reportedly targeting a September start, potentially on September 10. The T20 format tournament will likely feature India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the UAE. Promotional activities for the tournament have already commenced.

The UAE remains the leading candidate to host the Asia Cup, although discussions about a hybrid hosting model are also underway. While India is the designated host, previous ACC decisions stipulate that a neutral venue will be used when India or Pakistan are scheduled to host the tournament.

Uncertainty previously clouded the tournament following the Pahalgam terror attack in April. Tensions further escalated after India's Operation Sindoor against Pakistan in May, raising doubts about the tournament's viability. Calls for an Indian boycott of Pakistan in multilateral events also grew. Notably, India does not participate in bilateral cricket with Pakistan. Potential discussions regarding an Indian boycott of Pakistan at global events were even slated for the next ICC meeting.

However, recent developments suggest a possible shift. 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 clash in both tournaments, on October 5 in Colombo and June 14 at Edgbaston, respectively.

While officials from the BCCI, ACC, or ICC have refrained from public comment, cricketing ties between the two rivals appear set to continue, at least in global events. These matches are significant revenue generators for global cricket. While the BCCI and India may not heavily rely on revenue from these high-profile encounters, governing bodies like the ICC, the ACC, and their member boards do.