05-08-2025
UAE to rub shoulders with cricket heavyweights as hosts of Asia Cup
6 Aug 2025 00:51
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has confirmed that the 17th Asia Cup will be hosted by the UAE from September 9 to 28, with matches scheduled in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The tournament was originally to be held in India, but the strained political relations between the main two teams, India and Pakistan, has prompted that the tournament return to the UAE after a three-year hiatus. And if things go in a certain direction, the two teams could be playing each other three times over the course of the competition which Sri Lanka won when the tournament was last held in 2022 in Dubai and Sharjah. Abu Dhabi will now host some matches instead of eight participating teams have been split into two groups. Group A includes India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman, while Group B comprises Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Four round, which will be a round-robin format. The top two teams from this stage will contest the fixture between India and Pakistan, scheduled for 14 September in Dubai, stands out as the most highly anticipated match of the group stage, the only guaranteed one. If both teams are among the top in the group, they play again in the Super Four, and potentially again in the final should both teams emerge as the top two in the Super Four will host 11 matches, including the India-Pakistan encounter and the final. Abu Dhabi will stage 8 games. The ACC's venue choices reflect logistical ease and prior success, as both stadiums are experienced in handling international hosts, the UAE will be looking to make an impact on the field as well, having missed out last time. The national team is in Group A and will enjoy the advantage of playing at home while also playing in the glare of packed crowds due to the popularity of India and Pakistan in their group. In the build-up to the main tournament, the Emirates Cricket Board is organising a T20 tri-series in Sharjah involving the UAE, Pakistan and Afghanistan from late August to early September. This series will serve as critical preparation for the teams ahead of the Asia tournament format not only allows top teams like India and Pakistan to compete multiple times but also offers developing teams like Oman and Hong Kong valuable exposure. For fans across the UAE and beyond, this promises to be a thrilling month of top-tier cricket.
Full Schedule
Group Stage Sept. 9 AFG v HKG (Abu Dhabi)Sept. 10 IND v UAE (Dubai)Sept. 12 PAK v OMA (Dubai)Sept. 13 BAN v SL (Abu Dhabi)Sept. 14 IND v PAK (Dubai)Sept. 15 UAE v OMA (Abu Dhabi)Sept. 15 SL v HKG (Dubai)Sept. 16 BAN v AFG (Abu Dhabi)Sept. 17 PAK v UAE (Abu Dhabi)Sep 18 SL v AFG (Abu Dhabi)Sep 19 IND v OMA (Dubai)
Super Four Stage Sept. 20 B1 v B2 (Dubai)Sept. 21 A1 v A2 (Dubai)Sept. 22 Rest DaySept. 23 A1 v B2 (Abu Dhabi)Sept. 24 B1 v A2 (Dubai)Sept. 25 A2 v B2 (Dubai)Sept. 26 A1 v B1 (Dubai)Sept. 27 Break Day
Sept. 28 Final (Dubai)
