Mumbai : India and Pakistan are likely to be drawn into the same group for the Asia Cup 2025. All hurdles have now been cleared for the much-anticipated continental T20 tournament, which had been in limbo following the terror attack in Pahalgam.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has expressed its willingness to host the tournament at a neutral venue, identifying Dubai and Abu Dhabi as the likely locations. Although an agreement has been signed with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) for the use of three venues.
The BCCI has the hosting rights for the eight-team Asia Cup. BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla and Asian Cricket Council President and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi are scheduled to meet in the coming days to finalise the venues and the tournament schedule.
Shukla and Naqvi will also engage with sponsors at the earliest opportunity, aiming to allow sufficient time for commercial planning. A large chunk of the tournament’s financial backing comes from Indian sponsors and broadcasters. Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) acquired the media rights to Asia Cup events in 2024 for a reported USD 170 million over eight years.
The Asia Cup was given a 19-day window in September this year, where at least two Indo-Pak matches were to take place, apart from the possibility of a final clash between the rivals, which would have assured the broadcasters of high advertising revenue.
The BCCI had informed the ACC that it would not attend the meeting if it was held in Dhaka, citing the ongoing bilateral strain between India and Bangladesh. However, on Wednesday, the ACC was notified that Rajeev Shukla would participate in the meeting virtually.
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