With the 2025 Asia Cup hanging in limbo due to mounting political tensions between India and Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has initiated talks to organize a tri-nation T20I series in August involving Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). If the Asia Cup is cancelled or moved from India, the PCB is taking this proactive measure to guarantee competitive cricket for the national team.

The 2025 Asia Cup, scheduled to be played in September in the T20 format, was initially awarded to India as the host nation. However, following a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir and the subsequent diplomatic fallout between the two nations, the tournament’s fate has grown increasingly uncertain. Pakistan, adhering to the hybrid model it had accepted earlier this year, had made it clear that it would not travel to India, just as India had refused to tour Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy.

The PCB is reportedly looking into other options in the midst of this uncertainty; according to sources, a tri-series involving Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the UAE is being considered. Afghanistan's initially planned bilateral tour of Pakistan is expected to be replaced by a series in August, which will take place in Dubai. “The idea is that if the Asia Cup is moved to the UAE, then Pakistan will play a tri-series with Afghanistan and the UAE in Dubai,” a source within the PCB told PTI.

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Tri-Series in UAE Gains Traction as Asia Cup 2025 Remains in Doubt

Furthermore, discussions have already been initiated between the cricket boards of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the UAE, with the UAE emerging as the most feasible venue due to favorable weather and logistical conditions. Hosting the series in the Gulf nation would also serve as a dress rehearsal should the Asia Cup be relocated there.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), is expected to convene a council meeting soon to determine the Asia Cup’s future. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), however, has yet to confirm whether it will host the tournament on home soil or agree to the alternate venue.

Meanwhile, separate talks are also underway between the PCB and the Bangladesh Cricket Board to finalize a three-match T20I series in July, potentially giving Pakistan back-to-back international assignments ahead of the West Indies tour. If confirmed, the tri-nation tournament could play a vital role in Pakistan’s preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, while also offering valuable exposure to the participating teams in high-pressure conditions.

Ireland A, Afghanistan A, and Sri Lanka A will take part in a Tri-Nation Series in the UAE, with all matches set to be played in Abu Dhabi. The tournament will feature seven one-day games, ending with a final on April 25. After that, Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A will also play a four-day unofficial match starting on April 29.

All eight matches will be held at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium and are being organised by the Afghanistan Cricket Board. Before the Tri-Series kicks off, Afghanistan A and Ireland A (also called the Ireland Wolves) will play a First Class match from April 7 to 10 at the Tolerance Oval. The Ireland Wolves are coming in with a young squad full of talent. Leg-spinner Gavin Hoey will lead the side. Ross Adair and Liam McCarthy are back from injuries and ready to play. The team will rely heavily on spin, with Hoey, Cian Robertson, and Scott Macbeth expected to play key roles.

Afghanistan A will be led by batter Darwish Rasooli, with Abdul Malik as his deputy. The squad also includes experienced players like Sediqullah Atal and Zia-ur-Rehman, and they are seen as one of the strongest teams in the tournament.

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UAE Tri-Nation Series 2025 – Full Schedule

UAE Tri-Nation Series 2025 – Full Squads

Ireland A: Gavin Hoey (c), Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Cade Carmichael, Chris Defreitas, Stephen Doheny, Matthew Foster, Fionn Hand, Scott Macbeth, Tom Mayes, Liam McCarthy, Jordan Neill, Cian Robertson, Morgan Topping, Sam Topping

Afghanistan A: Darwish Rasooli (c), Sediqullah Atal (vc), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Mohammad Ishaq (wk), Abdul Malik, Zubaid Akbari, Ijaz Mehri, Bilal Ahmad Tarin, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Farmanullah Safi, Qais Ahmad, Zia-ur-Rehman, Naveed Zadran, Khalil Ahmad, Abdul Rahman Rahmani, Bilal Sami

Sri Lanka A: Sadeera Samarawickrama (c), Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Lasith Croospulle, Nuwanidu Fernando, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Sonal Dinusha, Dushan Hemantha, Tharindu Rathnayake, Wanuja Sahan, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Dilshan Madushanka, Mohamed Shiraz and Milan Rathnayake