Asia Cup 2025: ACC Reportedly Targets September Launch Amid Easing Tensions

Asia Cup 2025: ACC Eyes September Start Amid Growing Optimism

The Asia Cup saga might be nearing a resolution. While definitive conclusions about the continental championship are still premature, a palpable sense of optimism has emerged, a stark contrast to the previous uncertainty 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 be reached as early as next week. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is reportedly aiming to release the schedule for the six-team tournament in the first week of July, coinciding with a planned meeting.

If everything proceeds smoothly, the ACC is reportedly considering commencing the tournament in the second week of September, with September 10 as a likely start date. The T20 format tournament will feature India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the UAE. Promotional activities have already commenced.

The UAE remains the leading contender to host the Asia Cup, although a hybrid format is also under consideration. While India is the designated host, the ACC previously decided that Asia Cup tournaments hosted by either India or Pakistan would be held at a neutral venue.

Uncertainty surrounding the tournament arose after the terror attack in Pahalgam in April. Tensions further escalated after India launched Operation Sindoor against Pakistan in May, casting serious doubts about the tournament's feasibility. Calls for an Indian boycott of Pakistan in multilateral events also grew louder. India currently does not engage in bilateral cricket with Pakistan. There was even speculation that an Indian boycott of Pakistan in global events would be discussed at the next ICC meeting.

Recent developments in international cricket suggest a shift in the situation. The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently released schedules for two major global 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.

While officials from the BCCI, ACC, and ICC have remained silent on the matter, 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 India and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may not heavily rely on the revenue generated from these high-profile matches, governing bodies like the ICC, the ACC, and their member boards do.