The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has confirmed that India and Bangladesh will host the next two editions of the Asia Cup, a premier cricket tournament in the region. This announcement came through an Invitation for Expression of Interest (IEOI) for sponsorship rights.
India, the most successful team in Asia Cup history with eight titles, will host the 2025 edition of the tournament. This marks only the second time India will host the Asia Cup, the first being in 1990 when they defeated Sri Lanka in the final. As the defending champions, India’s hosting duties are highly anticipated by fans and stakeholders alike.
The 2025 edition will be played in the T20 format, aligning with the global cricket schedule that features a T20 World Cup in 2026. This format shift, which began in 2016, has been adopted periodically to prepare teams for upcoming global tournaments.
Bangladesh will host the 2027 edition of the Asia Cup, which will revert to the ODI format in preparation for the 50-over World Cup set to be held in South Africa later that year. Bangladesh has previously hosted the Asia Cup four times, most recently in 2016. Their experience in organizing such major events promises a well-executed tournament.
Both editions of the Asia Cup will feature 13 matches, maintaining a robust competition structure. In addition to the traditional powerhouses of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, a sixth team will join the tournament through a qualifying competition.
The decision to alternate formats between T20 and ODI aligns with the ACC’s strategy to keep the tournament relevant and engaging in the context of the global cricket schedule. This approach ensures that teams are well-prepared for both short and long formats of the game, reflecting the evolving nature of international cricket.
India’s cricket infrastructure, renowned for its world-class stadiums and passionate fan base, is expected to provide an electric atmosphere for the 2025 T20 Asia Cup. Similarly, Bangladesh’s enthusiasm for cricket guarantees vibrant support and competitive matches during the 2027 ODI Asia Cup.
The Asia Cup has a rich history of fierce competition and memorable moments. India’s dominance, Pakistan’s resilience, Sri Lanka’s consistency, and the rise of teams like Afghanistan have all contributed to the tournament’s prestige. The upcoming editions promise to add new chapters to this storied rivalry.
As preparations begin, stakeholders and fans are eager to see how the teams adapt to the alternating formats and what new talents emerge on the continental stage. The host nations, with their deep cricketing heritage, are set to provide the perfect backdrop for these high-stakes tournaments.
