Shreyas Iyer is set to make a long-awaited comeback to India’s T20I team as the 29-year-old batter has been added to the team for the Asia Cup 2025. Iyer was not appointed the captain of the West Zone team for the Duleep Trophy as he was likely to be selected for the Asia Cup starting on September 9 in the UAE.

Iyer last played a T20I for India in December 2023 against Australia at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. If Iyer is selected, the Asia Cup will be his first T20I match in more than 20 months. Iyer has played 51 T20Is and has scored 1,104 runs. He is known for holding an innings together and responding well under pressure.

Iyer Eyes T20I Comeback as Selectors Prioritise Asia Cup Over Domestic Captaincy

In his absence, Shardul Thakur will act as captain of a strong West Zone team featuring Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, and Tushar Deshpande. The selectors' decision to ignore Shreyas Iyer for a leadership role is likely a tactical move given Iyer's expected national team representation next month.

Iyer has been in good form for some time. He took Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final with a record of 604 runs in 17 matches. Earlier this year, he led Mumbai to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title (2024) and bolstered his case to return to India's white-ball setup.

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India will begin their Asia Cup against the UAE on September 10, then have a marquee clash against Pakistan on the 14th, and their final group-stage game will be against Oman on the 19th. If they navigate through to the Super Fours and the final, Iyer could be a pivotal middle-order player.

The 2025–26 Indian domestic season kicks off with the Duleep Trophy on August 28. Iyer is expected to be included in the squad, but his primary focus would have likely been on the Asia Cup and securing a permanent spot in India's T20I lineup.

West Zone's squad for Duleep Trophy 2025: Shardul Thakur (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Aarya Desai, Harvik Desai (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Jaymeet Patel, Manan Hingrajia, Saurabh Nawale (wk), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Dharmendra Jadeja, Tushar Deshpande, Arzan Nagwaswala.

All in all, cricket lovers are sitting on treats for tons of T20 action as Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the UAE will vie in a tri-nation T20I series at Sharjah from 29 August to 7 September 2025. The series is a crucial precursor to the Asia Cup T20 2025 and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.

Why This Series Matters

This tri-series would be perfect for teams to test their combinations, adapt to conditions in the UAE, and build some momentum with the Asia Cup barely days away and ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Pakistan Cricket Board first scheduled a bilateral series between Afghanistan and Pakistan, but plans evolved into a tri-series with the UAE joining as hosts so that all three teams get meaningful exposure before the two big tournaments.

Full Schedule – T20I Tri-Series 2025

• All matches at Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Context & Build-Up

• Pakistan is currently involved in a T20I series against the West Indies and will be eager to bounce back after a recent 2-1 series defeat to Bangladesh.
  
• Afghanistan return to T20I cricket for the first time since December 2024, when they edged past Zimbabwe in a tight 2-1 series.
  
• UAE, meanwhile, comes into the tournament high on confidence after upsetting Bangladesh in a historic home series win in May.
  

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T20I Head-to-Head – Pakistan vs Afghanistan at Sharjah

The opening game between Pakistan and Afghanistan promises fireworks, as the two teams have developed a fierce rivalry in recent years.

Eyes on the Asia Cup

The ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 will begin on 9 September, just two days after the tri-series final, making this series crucial for selection decisions and tactical preparation.

Asia Cup 2025 – Group Stage Draw

Key matches:

• 9 Sept: Afghanistan vs Hong Kong (Opening game)
  
• 12 Sept: Pakistan vs Oman
  
• 14 Sept: Pakistan vs India – Blockbuster clash
  

With three hungry teams, a balanced format, and familiar conditions, the tri-series in Sharjah is more than just a warm-up, it’s a dress rehearsal for continental and global glory. Expect high-octane cricket, emerging stars, and critical answers for selectors as the road to the T20 World Cup heats up.

Several former Indian players walked out of the World Champions League 2025 game against Pakistan. The move came after the rising geopolitical tension between two countries and recently concluded war. The players were adamant and vocal about their stand and the organisers had to call off the game. 

Recently, the schedule of the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 was released and India and Pakistan are set to collide again on the cricketing field. With the developments out, several former Pakistan cricketers called out the BCCI for going forward with playing Pakistan in the tournament and abstaining from playing in WCL. 

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With the trend catching pace, it has led to several fake news getting associated with some players. One such fake news involved the wrong quote in the name of former Indian spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin was quick to take notice of the malicious act and he called out the same on his twitter post. 

Here’s Ashwin’s reply over fake post: 

Don’t associate me with this fake news.

Shame on those who trigger all this https://t.co/9IlYcvYhwx

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) July 28, 2025

Asia Cup 2025 full Schedule: 

In a major announcement, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi unveiled the much-anticipated schedule for the Asia Cup 2025 on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). According to the fixture list, the tournament will commence on September 9, with the marquee India vs Pakistan clash set for September 14. As expected, the announcement has led to all the cricketing fans being frenzied with excitement at the prospect of the two rivals being in the same group and will meet early in the event.

India and Pakistan have one of the most storied rivalries in cricket. However, their participation in this year's Asia Cup was overshadowed by political tension which followed India's airstrikes in Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, which created speculation that India may completely boycott participation in this year's Asia Cup. While much remained in doubt, the cricketing authorities wanted to preserve the spirit of cricket, and all the boards involved in the concept came together, ensuring it could take place as scheduled.

See Also: Asia Cup 2025: India’s full match schedule with dates and timings revealed

Eventually, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) attended the crucial Asian Cricket Council meeting in Dhaka via video conference. Following deliberations, all stakeholders agreed to proceed with the multi-national tournament. It was confirmed that the Asia Cup 2025 will be held in the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to 28. The decision to host the event in a neutral venue was taken to maintain harmony and ensure smooth participation from all teams.

Asia Cup 2025 Schedule: Group stage fixtures

• Afghanistan vs Hong Kong - SEP 9
• India vs UAE - SEP 10
• Bangladesh vs Hong Kong - SEP 11
• Pakistan vs Oman - SEP 12
• Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka - SEP 13
• India vs Pakistan - SEP 14
• UAE vs Oman - SEP 15
• Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong - SEP 15
• Bangladesh vs Afghanistan - SEP 16
• Pakistan vs UAE - SEP 17
• Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan - SEP 18
• India vs Oman - SEP 19

Asia Cup 2025: Super Four Stage

• B1 vs B2 - SEP 20
• A1 vs A2 - SEP 21
• A2 vs B1 - SEP 23
• A1 vs B2 - SEP 24
• A2 vs B2 - SEP 25
• A1 vs B1 - SEP 26
• Asia Cup 2025 Final - SEP 28

In a significant development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has agreed to attend the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting scheduled for Thursday, July 24, a move that could help clear the path for the 2025 Men’s T20 Asia Cup, currently set to be hosted by the UAE in September.

Initially, the BCCI had objected to the meeting being held in Dhaka, citing India’s strained diplomatic ties with Bangladesh. Reports suggested that the Indian board, supported by cricketing nations like Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Oman, had requested the meeting be moved to a neutral venue. However, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and ACC president Mohsin Naqvi remained firm on holding the gathering in the Bangladeshi capital.

After weeks of impasse, the BCCI has softened its stance, though not entirely. While senior BCCI officials will not travel to Dhaka, vice-president Rajeev Shukla will attend the meeting virtually. This move was confirmed by Times of India journalist Gaurav Gupta, who noted on X (formerly Twitter) that the "decks are clearing up for Asia Cup in UAE in September."

The President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, Aminul Islam Bulbul, welcomed the President of the Asian Cricket Council, Mohsin Naqvi, with a bouquet of flowers. Mr. Naqvi arrived in Dhaka ahead of the ACC Annual General Meeting, marking a significant moment for Asian cricket. pic.twitter.com/doqWpXPZRb

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) July 23, 2025

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BCCI Steps In Virtually: Asia Cup 2025 Talks Begin Amid India-Pakistan Tensions

The meeting is expected to determine Team India’s participation in the continental event. While the Asia Cup has traditionally been a warm-up for the T20 World Cup, which follows in 2026, the political climate between India and Pakistan continues to cast a shadow over India’s presence.

Interestingly, the BCCI's attendance at the ACC meeting comes at a time of internal transition, as Board president Roger Binny has very recently turned 70 - the maximum age for BCCI office-bearers. Binny is now expected to leave, and Rajeev Shukla could soon take a greater leadership role in Indian cricket.

In the meantime, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has arrived in Dhaka, greeted warmly by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul. The ACC meeting could either represent a fresh start for India-Pakistan bilateral relations or confirm the current status quo owing to the resolution of Asia Cup logistics. For now, BCCI logging in digitally indicates they are willing to engage - but with caution firmly in place.

The plans for the 2025 Asia Cup T20 appear murky and uncertain, and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expects to lose a huge amount of money from its coffers if it does not go ahead. India was set to host the tournament in September, and the poor political situation and subsequent Pahalgam events highlighted by the Pakistan Army led both governments to throw the tournament into uncertainty.

According to a PTI report, the PCB had budgeted an estimated revenue of 1.16 billion rupees (around ₹35 crore) from the Asia Cup alone. Overall, the board was expecting to earn roughly 7.7 billion rupees (₹664 crore) from its share of ICC revenue and an additional 7.7 million rupees from other international cricketing events. Adding to that, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) was projected to bring in another 2.5 billion rupees (₹249 crore), forming a major chunk of the board's annual 18.8 billion rupees budget.

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ACC Meeting Looms as Political Tensions Threaten Asia Cup 2025 and PCB's Financial Stability

However, the financial plan is now under threat; PCB insiders are adamant that revenues from the ICC and the Asia Cup are essential to the board's financial well-being. With the Asia Cup now being cancelled or postponed, it could create a huge hole in the PCB's revenue stream.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has called an urgent meeting in Dhaka on July 24 to decide the future of the tournament. But issues were already arising with BCCI's announcement that it won't participate unless there is a change of venue. Similar positions have been taken by Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Oman. Although PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi accepted a virtual invitation to the ICC AGM, CEO Sumair accepted an in-person invitation and didn't receive positive responses from the major boards.

Although there had been plans to shift the Asia Cup to a neutral venue such as the UAE, no concrete decision has emerged yet. With time running out, the financial and cricketing future of the PCB hinges on resolving this diplomatic impasse quickly.

In a major decision, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to boycott the next Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting to be held in Dhaka. The decision, driven by the ongoing political tensions between India and Bangladesh, comes with a demand to change the venue of the meeting to a neutral location like Dubai. BCCI has stated that it will not send any representatives to Bangladesh this year.

The meeting was supposed to address important scheduling questions, like the Asia Cup and other Regional tournaments. However, now the BCCI has stated position highlights the increasing influence of emerging geopolitical tensions on cricket diplomacy. With strained relations not only with Bangladesh but also with Pakistan, India is treading cautiously in matters of multinational tournaments.

According to sources, India has been granted clearance to participate in the Junior World Cup. However, if the Asia Cup is indeed held in the UAE—as is being considered—India may focus solely on bilateral cricket engagements in August. A bilateral series with Sri Lanka or participation in a tri-nation tournament at a neutral venue is currently under discussion to keep the team engaged.

India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Clashes in Sight

Despite the diplomatic hurdles, cricket fans may still get to witness one of the sport’s most anticipated rivalries. Sources indicate that India and Pakistan are likely to face off in the Asia Cup on September 7 and again on September 14, should both teams qualify for the Super Four stage or final. These matches are expected to draw global attention, especially if played in the UAE, which offers a politically neutral and logistically feasible option.

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With the final call on venue and participation still awaiting government clearance, the BCCI's boycott of the Dhaka meeting underscores the delicate balance between politics and sport on the subcontinent. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining India's cricketing calendar up to the Asia Cup.

The fate of the Asia Cup is yet to be decided. According to some of the latest developments, a meeting in Dhaka, Bangladesh, this month can decide the future of the tournament. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has to take care of multiple issues before coming to a final conclusion.

The political tensions between Pakistan and India pushed the tournament into uncertainty. Apart from that, the prevailing political tension in Bangladesh can also influence the future of the Asia Cup. As per reports, the ACC is scheduled to arrange a meeting in Dhaka on July 25-26, where Rajiv Shukla, the vice president of BCCI, can represent India. In this meeting, the fate of the Asia Cup is likely to be fixed. Due to the political tensions, India opted to skip the bilateral series with Bangladesh.

As the Bangladesh vs. India series is not going to take place according to the original schedule, the Board of Control for Cricket in India is in search of a suitable replacement. According to several media reports, the board has initiated talks with multiple cricket boards to fill the suddenly found window. Sri Lankan media reported that talks are currently ongoing regarding a limited-overs series in mid-August.

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BCCI can seek a green flag from the government 

Though, there is no concrete evidence behind this claim. Some reports also claimed that England emerged as an option to fill in the gap. Parallelly, the Board has to decide about the bilateral series future, the venues, the fixtures, and all the other important things regarding that. Organizing the tournament in a neutral venue can also be considered as an option. 

But BCCI may have to wait for clearance from the government before taking any decision on the Asia Cup. 

The Asia Cup is back in the cricket calendar, and the excitement is already building for what looks set to be a thrilling competition. To be kicked off on September 5, the 2025 Asia Cup will run for 17 days, and the final is likely to be played on September 21. Although India is hosting, the matches are actually going to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a neutral venue chosen to allow easy participation for all teams, given India and Pakistan are taking part as well.

One of the most anticipated attractions of the tournament will be the hotly awaited India-Pakistan match, to be held on September 7. With the tournament following the proven group stage and Super Fours format, the spectators could even get a second serving of the high-decibel rivalry on September 14, if both teams qualify.

Six nations will be represented this year: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the UAE. The promotional campaigns have already begun in full gear, and the official TV broadcaster, Sony, has released posters and teasers to generate the hype. Every nation that is participating is to be given the nod from their governments, leading to another tournament to remember.

ALSO SEE: Asia Cup 2025 Set for September Start: Fans Await Cricket’s Biggest Rivalry Match India vs Pakistan

Future Hosts and Formats of the Asia Cup

This edition will also be a curtain-raiser to the Women's ODI World Cup towards the end of the year in India and Sri Lanka. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has mapped a clear future roadmap for upcoming editions of the tournament, changing formats, and host duties between Asian giants:

• 2027 – Bangladesh (Format: ODI)
• 2029 – Pakistan (Format: T20I)
• 2031 – Sri Lanka (Format: ODI)

The alternate structures ensure the Asia Cup remains aligned with the international events of the ICC while giving all top cricket nations a level playing field to host. With fierce competition, shifting venues, and a long-term vision, the Asia Cup continues to be the foundation of Asian cricket, uniting the continent by way of fierce rivalry and dramatic moments.

According to early reports, the highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan match is set for September 7, and the Asia Cup 2025 is anticipated to begin on September 5. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will host the competition, and September 21 is most likely when the final takes place. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has nearly finalised a 17-day tournament window, and all six participating countries, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the United Arab Emirates, are getting ready to send their teams.

Despite earlier doubts due to political tensions between India and Pakistan following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the tournament is set to go ahead. Government clearances from all involved countries are reportedly in the final stages. Hosting rights remain with India, but the tournament will be played in the UAE due to neutral venue considerations.

Asia Cup 2025 to Begin in UAE, India vs Pakistan on September 7

The Asia Cup 2025 will follow the T20I format, keeping in line with the calendar ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. The tournament will follow a group stage and Super Fours format, guaranteeing at least one India vs Pakistan clash and potentially another if both qualify for the Super Four round. The second meeting could happen on September 14.

THE LIKELY SCHEDULE OF ASIA CUP 2025: 📢 (Sports Tak).

Starts - 4 or 5th September.
Final - 21st September.
Venue - In UAE.
India Vs Pakistan - 7th September. pic.twitter.com/t2chgzF63n

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) July 2, 2025

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In recent days, promotional campaigns have begun, with official broadcaster Sony Sports Network releasing the first teaser posters. A late-night selection meeting involving Shubman Gill, Ajit Agarkar, and Gautam Gambhir was also spotted at the ground, possibly finalising early plans for the Indian squad.

This edition of the Asia Cup is critical not just for cricketing reasons but also for the reassurance it provides stakeholders after months of uncertainty. With major events like the Women’s ODI World Cup also scheduled for later this year, the Asia Cup will set the tone for a busy international calendar.

For cricket fans, especially in India and Pakistan, the resumption of this iconic rivalry on September 7 promises to be one of the year’s biggest sporting spectacles.