New Delhi: The upcoming Asia Cup 2025, scheduled for September with India as the official host, is now under a cloud of uncertainty due to ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan. In light of the uncertainty, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is exploring alternative options and has begun discussions with Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to host a tri-nation series in August.
A PCB official familiar with the matter revealed that talks are underway to organize a triangular T20 series in Dubai, featuring Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the UAE. The series would replace Afghanistan’s scheduled tour to Pakistan in case the Asia Cup is postponed or canceled.
“With the Asia Cup unlikely to take place in India as originally planned due to strained bilateral ties, the PCB is working on a backup plan,” the source said. “The idea is to hold a tri-series in the UAE if the Asia Cup is shifted or dropped altogether.”
Pakistan has already communicated with the Afghanistan and UAE cricket boards, and discussions to finalize the tri-series are progressing. The source added that if the Asia Cup doesn’t go ahead, PCB’s preference is to host the tri-series in Pakistan during August.
The hybrid hosting model, previously agreed upon for the Champions Trophy, would prevent Pakistan from playing matches in India. This continues to complicate planning for multilateral tournaments involving both nations.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), is expected to convene a meeting soon to decide the fate of the Asia Cup. The ACC will need to determine whether the tournament can proceed as planned in India or needs to be relocated or rescheduled.
As of now, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not confirmed its position on hosting the Asia Cup, further contributing to the uncertainty surrounding the prestigious T20 event.
