Asia Cup 2025: How India and Pakistan can play each other three times?
The highly-awaited Asia Cup 2025 is all set to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to 28, and the blockbuster India vs Pakistan game is grabbing headlines.
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ACC announces Asia Cup 2025 schedule
The highly-awaited Asia Cup 2025 is all set to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to 28, and the blockbuster India vs Pakistan game is grabbing headlines. Notably, the two teams might potentially face each other three times in the tournament. Despite recent political turmoil between the two countries, also leading to the India-Pakistan clash being called off in the World Championship of Legends (WCL), the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has announced the schedule of the Asia Cup that could witness a hat-trick of clashes between the arch-rivals.
As per the official schedule announced by ACC president Mohsin Naqvi, India and Pakistan have been placed in Group A, along with UAE and Oman. Group B features Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong. This grouping ensures the first India vs Pakistan clash during the group stage, scheduled for September 14 (Sunday). The format is set to follow the T20 format, considering the T20 World Cup 2026. Each team plays the others in their group once, and the top two teams from each group progress on to the Super 4 stage.
Asia Cup 2025 to run from September 9 to 28 in UAE
How can India and Pakistan meet thrice?
Their first guaranteed meeting will be on September 14 during the group stage. With both teams expected to easily defeat UAE and Oman, the rivals will have an easy way to move towards the Super 4.
If both India and Pakistan qualify from Group A, they’ll face each other again in the Super 4s, potentially on September 21. This round sees the top two teams from both groups facing off once. If both teams top the Super 4s, they would clash in a dream final. Scheduled for September 28 (Sunday), this would be the third potential game between the two.
Meanwhile, the recent WCL 2025 match between India and Pakistan was cancelled after several Indian legends, including Shikhar Dhawan and Yuvraj Singh, refused to participate due to ongoing political tensions. Post which, Pakistan Champions were awarded one point. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya recently stated that India is open to playing Pakistan in global events, even if bilateral cricket is still off the table.
Also Check: Asia Cup 2025 to run from September 9 to 28 in UAE, India vs Pakistan on September 14
Asia Cup 2025 schedule
Group stage
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| Sep 9 | Afghanistan vs Hong Kong |
| Sep 10 | India vs United Arab Emirates |
| Sep 11 | Bangladesh vs Hong Kong |
| Sep 12 | Pakistan vs Oman |
| Sep 13 | Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka |
| Sep 14 | India vs Pakistan |
| Sep 15 | United Arab Emirates vs Oman |
| Sep 16 | Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong |
| Sep 17 | Bangladesh vs Afghanistan |
| Sep 17 | Pakistan vs United Arab Emirates |
| Sep 18 | Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan |
| Sep 19 | India vs Oman |
Super 4s
| Date | Match |
| Sep-20 | B1 vs B2 |
| Sep-21 | A1 vs A2 |
| Sep-23 | A2 vs B1 |
| Sep-24 | A1 vs B2 |
| Sep-25 | A2 vs B2 |
| Sep-26 | A1 vs B1 |
| Sep-28 | Final |