ACC Greenlights Asia Cup in UAE, India to Host Amid Political Uncertainty

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has confirmed its decision to proceed with the 2025 Asia Cup as planned, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) set to host the continental men’s T20 tournament. This key update came during the ACC’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Dhaka, where members gave in-principle approval for the tournament to be held in the United Arab Emirates from September 5 to 21.

“That (the schedule) will also be announced soon. We are in consultation with the BCCI and hopefully we will resolve it very soon,” said Mohsin Naqvi, ACC chair and current head of the Pakistan Cricket Board. “The BCCI is in discussion with a few event partners and they have told us they will announce the schedule soon.”

The confirmation brings clarity to the tournament’s future amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. Relations between the two cricketing nations have been strained further following India’s Operation Sindoor in May, a military operation launched in retaliation to terror attacks in Jammu & Kashmir. With this backdrop, the highly anticipated India-Pakistan fixture remains in question.

When asked specifically about the status of the India-Pakistan clash, Naqvi remained cautious: “Let’s wait for the (schedule) announcement first.”

Sportstar has reported that eight teams, including both India and Pakistan, are expected to participate in the tournament, which will take place at a neutral venue in the UAE to address ongoing diplomatic sensitivities.

The BCCI, which joined the AGM remotely, was represented by vice-president Rajeev Shukla. While Shukla did not offer a public statement, a senior BCCI official commented, “The Board is positively looking forward to hosting the Asia Cup at a neutral venue.”

Beyond the tournament planning, the AGM saw political maneuvering behind closed doors, as the BCCI and Sri Lanka Cricket successfully blocked the election of a new ACC vice-president. The impasse is reportedly due to disagreements between India and Pakistan over the preferred candidate. Sources indicate that the AGM could be reconvened during the Asia Cup, once the stalemate is resolved through further discussions.

As cricket fans across Asia wait for the final schedule, all eyes remain on whether cricketing diplomacy can prevail to allow a smooth execution of one of the region’s most anticipated sporting events.