India Loses Hosting Rights for Asia Cup 2025 Amid Political Tensions with Pakistan

India will no longer host the upcoming edition of the Asia Cup 2025 after the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) officially announced a tentative window for the tournament and confirmed the decision to shift the venue. 

The move stems from the strained political relations between India and Pakistan, which have increasingly affected international cricket events involving the two nations.

The decision to relocate the Asia Cup mirrors the challenges faced during the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan. Due to security and diplomatic concerns, the Indian team opted out of travelling to Pakistan and will instead play their Champions Trophy matches at a neutral venue in Dubai. 

To avoid a similar standoff during the Asia Cup, the ACC chose to implement a policy where tournaments hosted by either the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will be held in neutral countries.

While India will lose its hosting rights in terms of location, the BCCI will still retain its status as the designated host of the Asia Cup 2025, maintaining its administrative role in the tournament’s organisation.

According to ACC officials, Sri Lanka and the UAE have emerged as the frontrunners to host the tournament. Both countries have a strong track record of hosting major cricket events and are expected to provide the necessary infrastructure and logistical support to ensure a smooth competition.

The Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to be played in the T20 format, will feature 19 matches and is expected to run between the second and fourth weeks of September. The tournament’s format will follow a familiar structure, with eight teams divided into two groups. India and Pakistan will once again find themselves in the same group, guaranteeing at least one high-voltage clash between the two cricketing giants during the group stage.

If both teams progress through the initial phase, they could meet again in the Super Four stage, and potentially face off in the final — setting up the mouth-watering prospect of up to three India-Pakistan encounters in a single tournament.

The political backdrop and the recent history of limited bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan only add to the intrigue surrounding these potential matchups. While the loss of hosting rights is a setback for Indian cricket fans eager to witness the event on home soil, the promise of thrilling on-field action at a neutral venue ensures the Asia Cup 2025 remains a marquee event on the cricketing calendar.

As the ACC finalises the new host nation, all eyes will be on India and Pakistan, with the cricketing world eagerly anticipating the resumption of one of the sport’s fiercest rivalries.