Credit: ACC
The Asia Cup 2025 will feature eight top Asian teams India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong competing in a T20 International format. The tournament, hosted in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, kicks off on September 9 with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi, while defending champions India begin their campaign against the host nation UAE on September 10 in Dubai. In a recent decision by UAE cricket administration it is speculated that the upcoming tournament is facing the brunt of global warming and climate change.
The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), in collaboration with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), has announced a significant adjustment to the Asia Cup 2025 match schedule, set to take place in the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to 28, 2025. In a reported statement released on Saturday, August 30, the ECB confirmed that 18 of the tournament’s 19 matches, including the highly anticipated final, will now commence at 6:30 PM local time (8:00 PM IST), a half-hour delay from the originally planned 6:00 PM local time (7:30 PM IST). he sole exception is the UAE versus Oman match on September 15 at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, which remains the tournament’s only day game, starting at 4:00 PM local time (5:30 PM IST). The decision, reportedly driven by concerns over soaring temperatures in the UAE, aims to ensure player safety and enhance the experience for spectators during the T20 spectacle.
The Asia Cup 2025 will have 19 matches across Dubai International Cricket Stadium and Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi
This adjustment reflects a strategic effort to mitigate the impact of the UAE’s harsh summer climate, where temperatures can exacerbate player fatigue and increase the risk of heat-related issues during high-intensity T20 matches. The Asia Cup 2025 will feature 19 matches across two iconic venues: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, hosting 11 matches including the final on September 28, and Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, hosting the remaining eight. The tournament follows a format where eight teams are divided into two groups—Group A (India, Pakistan, UAE, Oman) and Group B (Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Hong Kong).
The top two teams from each group advance to the Super Four stage, with the top two from that stage competing in the final. The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash is scheduled for September 14 in Dubai. The revised timings ensure that this high-voltage match, now set for 8:00 PM IST, will be played under slightly cooler conditions, reportedly enhancing player performance and fan comfort. With India aiming to defend their record eighth title, and teams like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan vying for supremacy, the tournament promises high-octane cricket.
