Team Indiaand Pakistan are scheduled to play against each other for the second time this year with their upcoming Asia Cup 2025 contest in Dubai on September 14. In July’s final week, when the Asian Cricket
Council (ACC) released the schedule of the continental tournament, both India and Pakistan were pitted against each other in Group A. Following this, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) came in fierce criticism for allowing Team India to square off against the Men in Green, despite the Pahalgam terror attack allegedly sponsored by Pakistan in April 2025.
Amidst the protest against the upcoming high-octane game in India, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmed has asserted that it is highly unlikely that the two teams would avoid playing each other in the marquee tournament coming ahead. "While I cannot give a formal guarantee, there is no risk of Pakistanand India not playing. The Asia Cup cannot be compared to private tournaments like the World Championship of Legends, where India refused to play against Pakistan in both the league stage and semi-final," said Subhan while speaking to the media recently.
India to kickstart their campaign against UAE on September
India, who are reigning champions, will begin their campaign against the United Arab Emirates in Dubai on September 10. The competition will be conducted in the T20 International (T20I) format after three years. Back in 2016, when the tournament was played in the shortest form for the side, India became champions under MS Dhoni after beating Bangladesh in the final held at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium.
Asia Cup 2025will be crucial for India as the Men in Blue will look to defend their title successfully so that they can head towards the T20 World Cup 2025 confidently. During the upcoming event, both India and Pakistan might face each other thrice if the two Asian giants reach the final to be played on September 28.
