Despite ongoing political tensions and the Pahalgam terror attack in April, cricket enthusiasts may still see the much-awaited India vs Pakistan clash at the 2025 Asia Cup, scheduled to kick off on September 10, according to a report from Cricbuzz.
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) remains optimistic that the multi-nation T20 tournament will proceed as planned, featuring six teams India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the UAE.
Are India and Pakistan set to face off in the 2025 Asia Cup?
The ACC is expected to meet in the first week of July to finalize and release the full tournament schedule. While India is officially listed as the host for this year’s Asia Cup, prior agreements between the BCCI and PCB suggest the matches will likely be held in a neutral venue or hybrid format, with the UAE being the most likely destination.
In the 2023 edition (ODI format), India and Pakistan met three times, drawing massive global viewership and generating record revenue for broadcasters and cricket boards alike. This pattern is expected to continue in the 2025 T20 edition, despite criticism from some quarters over prioritizing revenue over politics.
Gautam Gambhir's Firm Stand Against Ties
India’s current head coach Gautam Gambhir had earlier taken a strong stand against maintaining cricketing relations with Pakistan.
In an interview with CNN-News18, Gambhir had said:
“Till the time cross-border terrorism ends, there should be no sports, films, or cultural ties between the two nations. Lives of civilians and soldiers are far more important than cricket or cinema.”
Still, it seems the ACC and participating boards are keen to keep cricket going at least in multi-team tournaments.
What's Next After Asia Cup?
After the Asia Cup, India and Pakistan are also scheduled to face each other in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup on October 5, 2025, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This signals continued engagement between the two nations through ICC and ACC events, even if bilateral series remain off the table.