On July 26, 2025, Asia Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi announced that the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 will take place in the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to 28. The decision, following the ACC’s Annual General Meeting, addresses logistical and political challenges, with the UAE as a neutral venue.
Naqvi posted on X: “The ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE will run from September 9th to 28th. We look forward to a spectacular display of cricket!” The tournament, initially slated for India, was relocated to the UAE due to heightened political tensions, particularly between India and Pakistan, which were intensified by a military clash in May 2025. The PCB chairman confirmed that a detailed schedule will follow soon.
I am delighted to confirm the dates for the ACC Men's Asia Cup 2025 in UAE 🇦🇪 . The prestigious tournament will take place from September 9th to 28th. We look forward to a spectacular display of cricket! Detailed Schedule will be out soon. #Cricketwins
— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) July 26, 2025
The ACC’s Dhaka meeting on July 24, attended by all 25 member countries, finalised the UAE as the host, mirroring the 2023 Asia Cup’s hybrid model. India’s BCCI, represented virtually by vice-president Rajeev Shukla after initial boycott threats, retains hosting rights. The tournament’s timing avoids clashing with India’s Test series against the West Indies in late September.
The UAE’s selection as a neutral venue addresses India-Pakistan tensions, as neither the BCCI nor the PCB is willing to play on each other’s soil. As a proven host for ICC events, the UAE guarantees logistical ease and access for fans.
Schedule pic.twitter.com/tFPlPN7JGd
— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) July 26, 2025
The Asia Cup, a key T20 event, features top teams such as India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, as they prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Pakistan’s recent T20I series loss to Bangladesh heightens anticipation for their performance. The event’s global viewership, estimated at 700 million in 2023, underscores its commercial and sporting impact.