Asia Cup 2025: Probable Host Nation Revealed, Big Update On India’s Participation

Despite rumors, India intends to participate in the Asia Cup 2025, scheduled for September 12-28. Due to political tensions, India-Pakistan matches will likely be held in the UAE, not India.

Presence of India in the upcoming Asia Cup is doubtful, as Pakistan will host the tournament

Source : @X/BCCI

There has been a lot of talk about India’s involvement in Asia Cup 2025, but the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has clearly stated that the rumours of withdrawal are untrue.

A few days ago, a promotional poster for the Asia Cup 2025 was circulating on social media. Fascinatingly, only two teams featured, India and Sri Lanka. Pakistan’s omission led many to believe that they may not feature in the tournament which will be hosted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Considering the relationship between India and Pakistan, it would make sense as well.

Asia Cup 2025: Venue, Start Date

According to Cricket Pakistan, the tournament is set to be held from September 12 to 28. However, since the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) came to an agreement last year that they’ll play each other only at neutral events, India vs Pakistan won’t take place in India.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sri Lanka were the two names coming up as potential co-hosts with India. And it seems like the UAE has been finalised. One can’t forget all of India’s matches in the Champions Trophy were hosted in Dubai since Pakistan was the official host of the tournament.

BCCI awaiting the Indian government’s approval

However, the biggest question is India’s participation. Last month, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia denied rumours that India won’t feature in the 8-team tournament. InsideSport has learnt that the BCCI is awaiting a response from the Indian government when it comes to participation in the Asia Cup 2025.

“There is no discussion or even a remote thought about boycotting matches. We play Pakistan in the ICC events and it will go on if our government doesn’t say otherwise. As for the Asia Cup, we will know in the coming days,” a BCCI official told InsideSport.

It is understood that neither BCCI nor PCB gave any pushback when the ICC placed India and Pakistan in the same group for the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. This suggests that things are moving in the right direction. Both boards are wary that if either of them forfeits playing in the Asia Cup 2025, it might have repercussions in coming ICC or ACC events.