India's Participation in Asia Cup 2025: Will They Face Pakistan?

Asia Cup 2025 Set to Kick Off

The Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to commence next month, with Team India heading to the UAE for the tournament. Although India is officially hosting the Asia Cup, an agreement has been reached to hold the matches at a neutral venue due to ongoing tensions with Pakistan. This raises the question: will India refuse to play against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, similar to their decision in the World Championship League?

India's Match Schedule

India will begin its campaign in the Asia Cup on September 10 in the UAE, followed by a crucial match against their long-time rivals, Pakistan, on September 14. If both teams advance to the finals, they could potentially meet three times during the tournament. A report from a media outlet cites the CEO of the Emirates Cricket Board, Shubhan Ahmed, stating that the situation in the Asia Cup will not mirror that of the World Championship League, indicating that India will not boycott matches against Pakistan.

Clarifications from the Emirates Cricket Board

The report further quotes Shubhan, who mentioned that while no guarantees can be made, comparing the Asia Cup to a private event like the World Championship League is inappropriate. The decision to participate in the Asia Cup was made after obtaining prior approval from the government, ensuring that arrangements were in place before the announcement of the schedule. Therefore, he asserts that they will not find themselves in a situation akin to the World Championship League.