Since the PCB chairman and Pakistan’s interior minister, Mohsin Naqvi, revealed the news of the Asia Cup 2025 with the mouth-watering clash between India and Pakistan scheduled to take place on September 14, perhaps in Dubai, there have been questions on whether the tournament should go forward, especially after the broken relationship between the two countries.

The former Indian captain, Sourav Ganguly, feels that the event and the game between India and Pakistan must go down as he feels that terrorism shouldn’t happen, but the game must carry forward. Both sides are in the same group, which means they can potentially face each other thrice in three successive weeks if they qualify for the final.

See Also: Nitish Kumar Reddy reacts to rumours of leaving Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of IPL 2026

‘I am okay. The sport must go on. At the same time, Pahalgam should not happen, but the sport must go on. Terrorism must not happen; it needs to be stopped. India took a strong stance towards terrorism, but that's in the past. Sport needs to be played.’ Sourav Ganguly made the statement in Kolkata during an interaction with ANI.

Watch: Sourav Ganguly comments on India vs Pakistan clash in Asia Cup 2025

A total of 19 games will take place in the competition, featuring eight teams- two more than the last edition. Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan are placed in the same group. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are expected to be the two venues for the event. The BCCI holds the hosting rights for the tournament, but an agreement was made between the two sides to face each other in neutral venues.

#WATCH | Kolkata: On India-Pakistan placed in the same group in the Asia Cup, former Indian cricketer Saurav Ganguly says, "I am okay. The sport must go on. At the same time Pahalgam should not happen, but the sport must go on. Terrorism must not happen; it needs to be stopped.… pic.twitter.com/Qrs17KOKrN

— ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2025

A few weeks ago, the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 game between India and Pakistan Champions was cancelled, but several players from the Blur Brigade, including Shikhar Dhawan, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Patha, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, and others, pulled out of the game hours before it was scheduled.

I am delighted to confirm the dates for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE. The prestigious tournament will take place from September 9th to 28th. We look forward to a spectacular display of cricket! A detailed schedule will be out soon.’ Naqi expressed in a declaration the dates of the Asia Cup 2025.

July 26 is remembered for Kargil Vijay Diwas in India to observe their victory over Pakistan in the Kargil war, getting rid of the neighbor’s forces from their occupied positions on the mountain tops of Northem Kargil District in Ladakh in 1999. On the celebration of the day 26 years later, the Asia Cup 2025 dates have been announced months after the ceasefire situation between the two nations.

The PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, has made a post on social media to reveal the dates for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, which, a few weeks ago, was up in the air. Many reckoned that the competition wouldn’t go ahead after the broken relationship between the two nations due to the terror attacks.

See Also: 'Batting these days is easier...'- Former England star makes shocking remark during ENG vs IND 4th Test in Manchester

‘I am delighted to confirm the dates for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE. The prestigious tournament will take place from September 9th to 28th. We look forward to a spectacular display of cricket! A detailed schedule will be out soon.’ Mohsin Naqvi expressed in a social media post on X (formerly known as Twitter).

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi reveals Asia Cup 2025 dates on Kargil Vijay Diwas

The latest edition of the event will be played in the 20-over format with the full five members of the ACC- Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh- taking on the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Hong Kong. India is the official host of the event, but after an agreement struck between the PCB and BCCI, the events have now shifted to neutral venues.

It's not confirmed whether both these two sides will be in the same group, as it has been the normal case for over a decade. It guarantees, however, the most lucrative schedule of the tournament. The format of the event means placement in the same group makes at least two India vs Pakistan clashes, with a third potential chance of the final. However, there has not been a single India vs Pakistan final in the Asia Cup.

The games will take place in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The Suryakaumar Yadav-led side will be the defending champions of the competition, having beaten Sri Lanka in the final of the previous edition in 2023. Sri Lanka won the previous T20I edition, beating Pakistan in the final of the 2022 season.

Team India's participation in the 2025 Asia Cup is still in doubt with just less than two months left for the tournament’s scheduled start. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet confirmed or denied the national team's presence in the continent-wide tournament. While speculation builds, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), it appears, has contacted the BCCI about increasing concerns expressed by broadcasters and sponsors over the delay in confirmation.

According to a report in the Times Now, the ACC said that the delay in confirmation is upsetting commercial planning. "We have been informed that in the absence of this information, their ability to plan effectively, allocate resources, and execute their campaigns is significantly constrained. In addition, to highlighting the challenges being faced by them, the media rights partner has highlighted obligations under the Agreement which commence 60 and 90 days prior to the commencement of the 2025 Tournament. Our sponsorship rights partner, TCM, has outlined the commercial concerns associated, particularly in terms of timelines required for effective monetization and activation planning," the letter stated.

Furthermore, the ACC emphasized the urgency, stressing that further delays may result in commercial losses. "In addition, given the proximity of other major ICC and international events, both Sony and TCM have raised concerns that further delays could result in missed commercial opportunities that may not be recoverable due to existing scheduling and lead-time limitations. In light of this, and importantly, with fixtures for other major tournaments now confirmed, we are hoping to alleviate the concerns of our rights holders and finalize the Asia Cup fixtures within this week. This is especially important for the ACC as the Men's Asia Cup is the main source of income for the organization. We believe that further delays may pose the risk of our partners claiming breaches of Agreement and seeking discounts," the ACC wrote.

Pressure Mounts on BCCI to Clarify Stand

The ACC’s formal communication could prompt a response from the BCCI as early as next week. While a promo for the Asia Cup did air during the broadcast of the first Test between India and England, it notably lacked any mention of match dates or venues, further fueling speculation.

See Also: ENG vs IND 2025: Why is Kuldeep Yadav not playing today in second Test between England and India?

The ACC is currently being taken over by Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi, who replaced former BCCI secretary Jay Shah—now the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). As pressure from commerce grows and with the tournament just around the corner, the question hangs in the balance for a definite pronouncement by BCCI.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi is reportedly working on a plan to shift the upcoming Asia Cup matches from India to the UAE in a bid to avoid cancellation amid the India-Pakistan stand-off. Ever since the recent military escalation, which started in early May, tensions between the two neighbours have been at their peak. India will be the official host of this tournament, but given the grim political climate, a cloud of uncertainty looms over the future of the tournament. 

To ensure the tournament proceeds as planned, the ACC President is exploring alternatives for a neutral venue where both India and Pakistan can face off. For the moment, the UAE appears to be a viable option and is in contention to host the upcoming Asia Cup tournament. Should the need arise, Sri Lanka is also being considered as a backup venue.

See also: Pakistan cricket at risk of ₹220 crore loss over India’s Asia Cup exit: Reports

ACC officials hopeful that the tournament will go as planned 

As per the latest reports from Forbes, a final decision on the venue change will be made at the ICC’s Annual General Meeting in Singapore next month. India's participation in the Asia Cup has been open to debate following the Pahalgam terror attacks that claimed the lives of 26 civilians. India accused Pakistan of sponsoring terrorism and launched a counter-offensive dubbed "Operation Sindoor" to avenge the loss of innocent civilians.  

Since then, the diplomatic relationship between the two countries has hit rock bottom, thus fueling the possibility of India withdrawing from the tournament. But fortunately, such notions have been put to rest by the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia. In his recent interaction with Sportstar, Saikia denied claims of India opting out of the tournament and insisted that a call has not been taken on this matter so far.

“Such news is devoid of any truth as till now, BCCI has not even discussed or taken any such steps regarding the ensuing ACC events, let alone writing anything to the ACC (Asian Cricket Council). At this stage, our prime focus is on the ongoing IPL and subsequent England series, both men and women." 

The UAE has previously played host to earlier editions of the Asia Cup. Back in 2022, the tournament was staged in a T20 format in which both India and Pakistan clashed twice. It is certainly plausible that the vibe of the 2022 Asia Cup edition could repeat itself. Moreover, the ICC has also approached the UAE to stage a number of ICC events before on an emergency basis, the most recent of which was the Women's T20I World Cup last year. 

The Indian Premier League (IPL) governing body has taken significant steps to enhance the security of players and spectators. This is done in order to address safety concerns. a special defense system developed by Big Bang Boom Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (BBBS) in Chennai made its debut during the rain-affected 44th match of the 18th IPL season between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Eden Gardens on April 26. The introduction of such advanced technology reflects the league’s commitment to ensuring a safer environment amid rising security challenges.

The newly introduced defense technology can detect drones within a four-kilometer radius with the help of adaptive frequency methods. Known as the Vajra Super Shot, the system is not only highly efficient but also lightweight and portable, making it easy to deploy at several venues. This cutting-edge technology strengthens aerial surveillance and prevents potential threats from above. Its inclusion marks a significant step forward in safeguarding players, fans, and all individuals associated with IPL matches.

In response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, authorities of the grandest T20 league have prioritized tightening security measures across all venues. With growing tensions between India and Pakistan, the decision by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for implementing stricter security protocols has been widely appreciated. By introducing advanced technology like the Vajra Super Shot, the IPL has demonstrated a proactive approach to maintaining the integrity and safety of the tournament, ensuring that cricket remains a secure and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Also read: WATCH: Axar Patel reflects upon Delhi Capitals' performance in ongoing IPL 2025

India of misusing the Pahalgam attack to their agenda: Mohsin Naqvi

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, issued a statement against India after the Pahalgam attack. Naqvi stated that Pakistan was fully prepared to identify the perpetrators behind the attack. Geo News reported that Naqvi said Pakistan was willing to fully cooperate with any impartial party conducting an inquiry, as the country intended to expose the actual perpetrators of the attack.

"Pakistan is willing to cooperate fully with any impartial party conducting an inquiry, as we intend to unveil the actual perpetrators of the attack,"Geo News quoted as saying by Naqvi.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi will have a prominent leadership role to play after the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. As per media reports, Naqvi will become the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) after the last match of the tournament. The current role is occupied on a caretaker basis by Shammi Silva, SLC president. Naqvi will officially replace him after the forthcoming ACC General Council meeting. 

🚨MOHSIN NAQVI SET TO TAKE ANOTHER KEY ROLE🚨

- PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has received another prestigious honor, as he is set to take over as the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) after the end of Champions Trophy. [Cricket Pakistan] pic.twitter.com/fyOBTEMwxS

— Salman 🇵🇰 (@SalmanAsif2007) March 1, 2025

Apart from leadership change, the meeting would concentrate on formalizing the hosting locations of next month's Asia Cup, due in India in the latter part of the year.

Though the actual venue has yet to be finalized, ACC officials are said to be mulling Sri Lanka and the UAE as possible alternate hosts.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), however, will continue to be the official host.

ALSO SEE: Australia’s Matthew Short Doubtful for Champions Trophy Semi-Final After Injury

The 2025 Asia Cup will be in T20 format with 19 games, provisionally planned between the second and fourth weeks of September.

Eight teams, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman and Hong Kong, will play. Importantly, Nepal, a developing associate nation from the subcontinent, will miss this edition. The tournament structure guarantees at least two big India-Pakistan matches-one in the group stage and the other in the Super Four stage a possibility of the two sides meeting once again in the final.

The cycle of the ongoing Asia Cup currently extends over four editions until 2031. Bangladesh will, after the tournament in 2025, hold the 2027 edition, which will be in the format of ODIs with 13 matches. Officially hosted by the PCB, the 2029 edition of the tournament with 19 T20 matches will be held at a neutral site. Sri Lanka will host the 2031 edition in ODIs with 13 matches.

There have also been debates regarding the extension of the hybrid model used for the 2023 Asia Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy, both of which were challenged because of India's political position regarding traveling to Pakistan.

With just over a month to go before the Champions Trophy 2025 kicks off, the stadium renovation work in Pakistan seems far from over. With that in the picture, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been promoted to act swiftly and has made the decision to shift the venue for the upcoming ODI Tri-series prior to Lahore and Karachi. The ODI Tri-series will see three teams in action namely Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa, and is expected to be held just before the start of the Champions Trophy.  

Originally, Multan was planned to play host to the ODI Tri-series but given the advanced stage of preparations at Gaddafi Stadium (Lahore) and National Bank Stadium (Karachi) ahead of the mega white-ball event, PCB has decided to host the tri-series in these two venues.

See also: Pakistan stadiums still under renovation as Champions Trophy kick-off date looms

PCB assures seamless upgradation of its stadiums before deadline 

In a recent update, PCB has assured the fans and the media that the stadium reconstruction work is progressing as per plan at the two venues and desires to complete the work on or well before the deadline expires. 

They further added that the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore has seen significant enhancements. The seating capacity has been upgraded to 35,000 and as many as 480 LED lights along with two giant replay screens have been installed at the site to give the spectators a memorial viewing experience. 

“Additionally, 480 state-of-the-art LED lights have been installed to enhance broadcast LUX levels, ensuring superior viewing quality for fans worldwide. To further elevate the spectator experience, two giant digital replay screens – measuring 80 feet x 30 feet and 22 feet x 35 feet – will be installed next week. A brand-new players’ and officials’ hospitality enclosure has also been created, which will be operational by January 25."

Meanwhile, at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, sweeping renovation work is underway. The stadium will house a new players’ and officials’ hospitality enclosure at the University End along with 350 LED lights to cater to an unforgettable experience for the spectators.

“To improve broadcast coverage, 350 LED lights have been installed, ensuring optimal visibility for global audiences. Two digital replay screens have already been fixed, and 5,000 new chairs have been installed to enhance spectator comfort."

Can the entire Champions Trophy 2025 be shifted to the UAE?

India's repeated denial has forced the PCB and ICC to be inventive and adopt a "fusion" model approach. Under this agreement, India will play all its fixtures with Pakistan at a neutral venue and vice-versa, Pakistan will also play out all its future fixtures with India at a neutral venue till 2027. With that in mind, the current Champions Trophy edition has been hosted jointly by Pakistan and the UAE. Should the stadium crisis situation exacerbate any further for Pakistan, the ICC, in every likelihood may be compelled to bring the entire CT 2025 to UAE shores as a last resort. 

Pakistan looks all set to host the Champions Trophy 2025 starting on February 19. If all goes to plan, this will be the first ICC event to be hosted on Pakistan soil since the 1996 World Cup. Fans from around the world are captivated and are gearing up to see an intense showdown in this marquee event which will feature eight teams who will be battling it out to reach the top summit. 

But as per recent reports, not all seems to be going well for Pakistan ahead of the mega event. If reports are to be believed, the stadium renovation work is progressing at a snail's pace, and with the Champions Trophy fast approaching, fresh concerns have once again surfaced regarding the future of the mega white-ball event.

See also: ICC approves PCB's request for a hybrid model for all their future games till 2027

Stadium degradation work far from complete

As per the latest report published by Times of India (TOI), currently, three venues in Pakistan are undergoing renovation work. These include the National Stadium in Karachi, Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, and Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi. It is believed that the deadline to complete renovation work was set to December 31, 2024. The deadline has now surpassed and with just over a month to go before the tournament kicks off, PCB have a lot of catching up to do. 

An anonymous source from the ICC has claimed that the stadium degradation work is far from complete and the global cricketing body has raised concerns with the PCB about the same. Furthermore, ICC is expected to send a dedicated team to oversee the renovation progress and take stock of the situation too.

"It is a very disappointing picture. All three stadiums are far from ready and it's not renovation or refurbishment, but proper construction which is underway. There is so much work left with seats, floodlights, facilities, and even the outfield and playing surfaces." 

The renovation work started as early as August last year. But PCB has so far not been able to complete the construction work in time which raises severe concerns on whether Pakistan will be able to host the Champions Trophy. But at the same time, it is also learnt that the PCB expects the work to be complete and will hand over the venues to the ICC no later than February 12, 2025.

So what's causing all the hold up?

Apparently, the current weather conditions in Pakistan are not suited for any construction work at the moment. With the Champions Trophy around the corner, a roadblock like this was the last thing Pakistan would have wished for. 

As per an ICC source who wishes to be anonymous, the plasterwork in Gaddafi Stadium remained unfinished and has been largely hampered due to the cold weather conditions. The source also claims that most of the time is taken up by applying finishing touches to places like change rooms etc that need to adhere strictly to the ICC regulations.

"The weather is not ideal for construction and finishing work to happen at a rapid pace. At Gadaffi, even the plaster work isn't completed yet. And most of the time is taken by finishing work because we are talking about dressing rooms etc. They just can't be random rooms/enclosures for an ICC event. ICC has a checklist which needs to be met. National Stadium has decided to not completely finish the new enclosure because there is no time."

As per sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently got in touch with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to express their desire to host the India-Pakistan clash in Dubai, UAE. The venue was decided following a meeting between Sheikh Mubarak Al Nahyan, the chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), and Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the PCB.  The meeting took place during Al Nahyan's tour to Pakistan in Sanghar in the Sindh province of Pakistan.

See also: ICC Champions Trophy schedule under consideration, India set to clash with Pakistan on Feb 23

Dubai nears the final stages of confirmation as the neutral venue

With PCB and ECB successfully coming to an agreement on selecting a neutral venue, Dubai has almost been bookmarked to host the iconic India-Pakistan clash. Additionally, two other venues such as Abu Dhabi and Sharjah are also in consideration but due to the ground's enormous seating capacity, Dubai will take precedence. 

A statement from a PCB official read the following: 

"The PCB has chosen the UAE as the neutral venue and the PCB has formally informed the ICC about the decision. Now, India and Pakistan's Champions Trophy matches will be held in the UAE. The final decision was made after a meeting between Mohsin Naqvi and Sheikh Al Nahyan." 

As per ICC, the selection of a neutral venue for any global event rests solely on the discretion of the host board. PCB also explored other options like Sri Lanka but eventually decided to narrow down to UAE.

Looking beyond Champions Trophy

As per the agreement reached by BCCI and PCB earlier, both boards have decided to play each other in what's now called a "fusion model". On December 19, the ICC confirmed that both India and Pakistan will face each other in future ICC events in neutral venues for the next three years.

This will apply to the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 (Pakistan), ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 (India) and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 (India and Sri Lanka). The clarity around venues for the forthcoming Indo-Pak clashes puts an end to a lingering dispute between India and Pakistan which has long existed due to ongoing political tensions.

As per widespread reports, it is believed that the PCB, headed by Mohsin Naqvi has given in to ICC & BCCI's demands to host the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 in a hybrid model. As per sources from PTI, it has been "agreed in principle" by the Jay Shah-led International Cricket Council (ICC) and its member associates to host the Champions Trophy with a hybrid model.

The marquee event will comprise eight teams and will be played in the month of February and March in 2025. While the majority of the matches would be played in Pakistan, India will have their matches scheduled in a natural venue which in all likelihood would be Dubai. As per a top ICC source, the decision has more or less been finalized during an informal meeting between the body's new President Jay Shah and the Board of Directors, including Pakistan.

See also: Champions Trophy Venue debacle to be settled over this weekend

Hybrid model but with a twist

Whilst accepting the proposal to go ahead with a hybrid model, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi stressed having a reciprocal arrangement for its national side till 2031 and urged the BCCI to comply with their request. Although BCCI is yet to respond to this request, ICC has come forward and formally accepted PCB's plea to have a similar arrangement till 2027. 

"It's been agreed in principle by all parties that the 2025 Champions Trophy will be held in the UAE and Pakistan with India playing its matches in Dubai. It's a win-win situation for all stakeholders."

However, such a development can spell bad news for BCCI and its supporters. Between 2025 and 2027, India will play host to two World Cup editions. The Women's ODI World Cup will be held in 2026 whereas the Men's T20 World Cup will be held a year later in 2027. 

Should Pakistan abstain from visiting India as per the newly proposed hybrid model agreement, Indian fans could be devoid of high-octane Indo-Pak rivalry on their home turf. More importantly, both the BCCI and the ICC will have to cope with some significant financial blows if that were to happen. 

What does the future look like for the Indian team?

Being the host of an ICC event, India will have to go the extra mile by visiting a neutral venue to play its fixtures with Pakistan. Such a move may not only be unsustainable but also be unprecedented from BCCI's standpoint. 

Such an agreement will effectively mean that the Indian women's team will have to travel to a neutral venue to play their league match against Pakistan whereas Pakistan's men's team will be considering the possibility of playing all its matches of the upcoming T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka.

Bilateral ties between the two countries have been at an all-time low since the 2008 terror attacks. India's last visit to Pakistan came in the 2008 Asia Cup edition with Sri Lanka being the eventual winners of it.