• Arch-foes India and Pakistan grouped together 

South Asian adversaries India and Pakistan, are set to sustain their cricketing rivalry in neutral territory of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the foreseeable future, when the 2025 Asia Cup starts in India, later this year.

The 17th edition of the continent’s most prestigious white-ball tournament, is set to be played between October and November, featuring the five full members of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), who have automatically qualified for the event, along with the UAE.

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are the ACCs five full members, while United Arab Emirates booked their berth at the competition, after clinching the 2024 ACC Men’s Premier Cup.

The tournament played in T20I format later this year, will also serve as bellwether for the teams which have qualified for the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup in 2026, which is to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

According to the ACC, the groups and format of the tournament will follow a similar structure to previous editions, with six teams split into two groups of three.

Group A will consist of title-holders India, Pakistan and United Arab Emirates, while Group B will feature Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Afterwards the top two teams from each group, are set to advance to the single group Super Four stage, with the top two sides in this stage, contesting the final for the silverware.

Both India and Pakistan have reportedly agreed on a hybrid model for all ICC competitions from 2024-27, with Pakistan deciding against traveling to India for the remaining ICC tournaments in the current events cycle, starting with next month’s Champions Trophy.

As per the new agreement reached between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the ICC, the latter has greenlit the former to play all short-format matches against India in tournaments organised by it, in neutral Dubai.

 (JK)